Town Topics Newspaper, April 12, 2023

Volume LXXVII, Number 15

Splash Program

Comes to PU 5

Caines Retiring After 25 Years with Princeton Recreation Dept. 8

Rutgers University Strike

Continues 10

Chmiel Supporters Plan April 16 Rally 12

Adventures in the World Of Brahms 16

With Bandura Emerging As a Star, PU Baseball in Thick of Ivy Title Race 27

Sparked by One-Two Punch of Ix, Lee, Stuart Lax Produces 2-2 Start 33

Council Amends Budget To Lower Increase For Princeton Taxpayers

At its meeting on Monday, April 10, Princeton Council amended the 2023 budget to reduce the tax increase from what was originally introduced as $0.045 per $100 of assessed value, instead to $0.029 per $100 of assessed value. This translates to an increase for the average Princeton taxpayer of $279 for the year.

The meeting also included presentations on Phase III of the Witherspoon Street Improvement Project, which extends from Leigh Avenue to Valley Road, and efforts by the Civil Rights Commission (CRC) to change the “Welcome to Princeton” signs located at gateways to the town.

The budget was introduced last month at $72.47 million, a rise of about $1.27 million over the last year. The increase is due to a rise in costs for things like health care and waste management. Several members of Council thanked the town’s Chief Financial Officer Sandy Webb and her team for getting the cost down.

“Some prices for equipment we’re replacing were shockingly high,” said Councilwoman Eve Niedergang. “It’s still a tax increase, which we don’t like to see, but it’s a lot less than what we started with. A lot of creativity and hard work went into that.” A public hearing on the resolution is April 24.

In a report from the Princeton Police Department, Lt. Tom Lagomarsino said the police and the Princeton PBA Local 130 are partnering with local restaurants, bars, and Uber to start a new program that will offer patrons a free ride home within Princeton, should they need one. The idea is not only to promote having a designated driver, but to also help promote Princeton restaurants and bars, Lagomarsino said.

Nick DiDomizio of the Civil Rights Commission (CRC) told Council that the “Welcome to Princeton” signs, which say “Settled 1683,” acknowledge when the rst structure was built here by European settlers, but ignore the fact that the Lenape people lived here rst. This language “is not inclusive, and implicitly ignores the history of the Indigenous people that inhabited this land prior to European settlers,” he said. The CRC recommends removing “Settled 1683” from the signs if it is the only wording on the signs acknowledging Princeton’s history.

Continued on Page 12

Town Presents Proposal on Open Space Diversion

Monday, April 17 is the last day to submit comments about the municipality’s proposal to purchase three parcels of land along the Princeton Ridge, an “open space diversion” to compensate for the three-acre site on which the town mistakenly built Witherspoon Hall in 2002.

Municipal staff members held a meeting on April 3 to present their proposal and hear from the public. While some spoke in support, others questioned why the focus was on property at the far northern edge of Princeton instead of closer to town. The acreage, as proposed, would become part of Princeton’s “Emerald Necklace,” linking green spaces to one another.

According to the rules of the Green Acres program, Princeton must dedicate ve acres of open space for each of the acres that were developed in error. The three acres on which the municipal complex sits were supposed to be for parks and recreation. The mistake was discovered while the town was completing its recent inventory of open space and parks.

Asked by Race Street resident Patrick DeAlmeida why that happened

in the rst place, Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic said he didn’t know.

“No one sitting at this table was here, so I can’t answer how it happened,” he said.

“It should not have happened, but it happened, so we nd ourselves here.”

Two of the proposed parcels are off of Cherry Valley Road; another is off of Mt. Lucas Road. According to Princeton’s Open Space Manager Cindy Taylor, they include mature forests and have been designated as a medium-high priority in

the New Jersey Conservation Blueprint. The Cherry Valley parcels are near 153 acres of land bought by the municipality in 2021. The Mt. Lucas parcel is part of a 90-acre site identi ed for conservation in the 2011 open space and recreation plan. Speaking in favor of the plan, Ridgeview Road resident Christopher Barr, who leads the Ridgeview Conservancy, said preserving the parcels is important because of stormwater runoff mitigation, climate resistance, biodiversity,

Three Schools Win Sustainability Grants, PPS Steps Up Efforts on Multiple Fronts

Johnson Park Elementary, Riverside Elementary, and Princeton High School (PHS) have each received a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey for Schools grant funded by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).

“Sustainability is an integral part of our work at Princeton Public Schools (PPS),” said PPS Superintendent Carol Kelley. “Congratulations to each of these schools and their Green Teams!”

The grant to Johnson Park will be supporting the school’s transition away from

disposable plates and cups for classroom parties and parent functions. “This grant will allow Johnson Park to build a supply of reusable service ware and test out a atware retriever in the cafeteria,” said Johnson Park Principal Angela Siso Stentz. “I am incredibly proud of the Johnson Park Green Team and all of its efforts to make our school more sustainable.” Riverside will be using the funds to build a new greenhouse made from recycled plexiglass to grow microgreens. Riverside

Continued on Page 9

FUN AT THE FARM: A youth plays on a tractor at Terhune Orchards’ Bunny Trail Spring Festival on Saturday. The play area was one of many attractions — including pony rides, crafts, games, a treasure hunt, food, and live music — at the annual event. Attendees share what they like best about bunnies in this week’s Town Talk on Page 6. (Photo by Weronika A. Plohn)

TEA TIME: On Sunday, May 7 from 12-2 p.m., the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is hosting a semi-formal tea service to raise funds for the museum. Tickets are $35-$40. Sample a variety of teas, finger sandwiches, and pastries, and take home a teacup. Dress in brunch attire for this event, which recalls a Pink Tea fundraiser held in 1901. Visit barracks.org/may-tea for tickets.

Topics In Brief A Community Bulletin

Leighton Listens : Princeton Councilman Leighton Newlin will be available, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to discuss local issues with members of the public. On April 12: LiLLiPiE’s in Princeton Shopping Center. April 19: Arlee’s Raw Blends, 14.5 Witherspoon Street. April 26: Sakrid Coffee Roasters, 20 Nassau Street.

S.H.R.E.D. FEST is Back: On Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Princeton residents can bring shredding, electronics/computers, household goods, appliances, medical equipment, and more to the Westminster Choir College parking lot, 101 Walnut Lane. Also at the event, rain barrels and composters will be for sale. Wasteinfo@ princetonnj.gov.

Loteria : On Saturday, April 15 from 3-5 p.m., play this Mexican game of chance in Spanish and English at Art on Hulfish, 11 Hulfish Street. Presented by Princeton Human Services, Princeton University Art Museum, and the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Public Meeting on Seminary Site : On Saturday, April 15 at Princeton Public Library, the Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development (PCRD) presents a discussion on the future of the former Tennent/Roberts/Whiteley campus at Princeton Theological Seminary. Comments will be solicited from the public. The meeting is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room. 65 Witherspoon Street. Pcrd.info.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Four new dual-port charging stations for eight vehicles are now available to the public, including an accessible charger, at the municipal building, 400 Witherspoon Street. The cost is $2 an hour during the day and $1 for overnight charging between midnight and 8 a.m., the same as in the Spring Street Garage.

Call For Land Stewards: Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) in April for morning or afternoon volunteer sessions under the guidance of FOPOS’ director of natural resources and stewardship to assist with various conservation projects at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. Weekday and weekend sessions available. More at fopos.org/getinvolved.

Recreation Department Summer Jobs : The Princeton Recreation Department is looking for to fill several positions for the summer season. Visit princetonnj.gov.

Literacy New Jersey Online High School Diploma and Citizenship Classes : For Mercer County residents 18 and older, free classes. The diploma classes are held on Zoom; citizenship classes are on Zoom and in person at Princeton Public Library. For more information, call (609) 587-6027 or email mercer@LiteracyNJ.org.

Health Department Seeks Vendors for Health Fair : On May 5, from 4-7 p.m., the town will hold a health fair at Princeton Shopping Center. Interested participants in behavioral health, dental health, women’s health, primary care, fitness centers, nutritionists, and related fields should contact healthdepartment@princetonnj.gov to participate. The fair is free and no sales are allowed.

PLUNGING

Students participating in last year’s Splash event try their hand at calligraphy. Princeton Splash 2023 will take place on April 22 in classrooms, dance studios, and kitchens on the Princeton University campus, as hundreds of area high school students attend more than 100 different classes taught by University students on subjects ranging from lifeguarding to chocolate-making to

popular is the one-day event known as Splash, which will take place on the Princeton University campus from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 22.

“Interested in mythology? linguistics? beatboxing? improv comedy? breakdancing? game theory?” says the Splash Facebook page. “Whatever you like, Splash has it! Learn anything from Princeton students completely free!”

TOPICS Of the Town

Created by Princeton University students eager to share their knowledge and interests with area high schoolers, Splash this year is offering 115 classes taught by 133 Princeton University students, with more than 400 high school students already registered and many classes filling up fast. Visit princeton.learningu.org for registration and more information on course offerings and schedules.

“We strive to foster learning for students by students,” says the Princeton Splash Instagram page.

“I think it’s really expanding the definition of learning,” said Princeton University senior Anne Wen, who has been involved with Splash since she was a freshman, led the program in 2020-21, and has seen the program more than double in size. “It’s not learning just for the sake of finding a job, but learning to be curious human beings, and that’s the point of Splash.”

Wen pointed out that University students are encouraged not to propose classes that high schoolers might be forced by their parents to take, but classes that will highlight the joy and inter est of learning for the sake of learning.

As the Splash website states in its “Questions and Answers for Prospective Teachers,” “We instill excitement about a topic that a high school student otherwise would have never heard of or would not choose to study in college, in part because of graduation requirements and financial constraints. For instance,

high school students come to take a class about Korean skincare or chocolate-making and find themselves a new hobby at home, even if they don’t turn into masters within a class session.”

Splash is expanding its outreach this year with a new initiative sponsoring at least one bus for high schoolers from Trenton in order to give opportunities to students who might want to attend the event but can’t otherwise arrange transportation. Sponsored by a range of Princeton University academic departments

IN WITH SPLASH:

quantum cryptography, and much more.

(Photo courtesy of Princeton Splash, Pace Center at Princeton University)

Splash

Continued from Preceding Page and campus organizations, Splash, which used to charge a $20 registration fee, is free this year, including meals and T-shirts.

Wen noted that many of the most popular courses among high school students are food-related, but the offerings are strikingly diverse. “We book rooms throughout the University, and the spaces vary from dance studios to kitchens and classrooms,” she said.

She continued, “Popular courses in the past included Introduction to Breakdancing, Chocolate-Making 101, and Learning K-Pop Dance. This year some of the most popular classes include Poetry Online, Sketching for Beginners, and Introduction to Lifeguarding. And one of the exciting parts for many high school students is that this is really their first opportunity to be on the Princeton University campus, even though they live nearby.”

Last year’s teachers and their courses received rave reviews, as reported on the Splash website, from the high school students who attended the 2022 event. One student praised the “fascinating classes” and the “incredible and super-engaging instructors.”

“I enjoyed talking to students there and connecting with them about subjects they study and I’m interested in personally,” said another high school student.

“The classes, food, and campus were awesome,” noted a third participant. “I loved the people and the teachers. Art block printing was so much fun!”

Registration for Princeton Splash 2023 is available at princeton.learningu.org through Friday April 21.

—Donald Gilpin

Olivia’s Wellness Connection

Offers Walk Aerobics Camp

Saturday, April 15 is the first day for Walk Aerobics Camp, a fitness program being led by Olivia White-Everett beginning at the Community Park track. The program is free and open to all.

White-Everett has been volunteering her ministry, Olivia’s Wellness Connection, in partnership with the Princeton YMCA, for the past 12 years. Previous to that, she was offering her program since 1986 in honor of her late mother, Olivia G. White, who died at age 48 from heart disease.

“My goal is to give people from all walks of life the opportunity to make their health a priority,” she wrote in an email. “The class is so much fun. It is important that I get the word out to our community about this fun program that gets you healthy mentally and physically. After all the issues with COVID, people enjoy soaking up some vitamin D, getting fresh air, and having fun at the same time.”

Those who join Olivia’s Wellness Connection get individual memberships at the YMCA for $25 per month, or family memberships for $35. “More importantly, they make their health a priority and socialize as well,” said WhiteEverett.

Visit oliviaswellnessconnection.com for more information.

TOWN TALK©

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

Question of the Week:

“What is your favorite thing about bunnies?”

(Asked Saturday at the Bunny Trail Spring Festival at Terhune Orchards)

(Photos by Weronika A. Plohn)

Brielle: “I like how they eat carrots and how they nibble on grass. They just look so cute.”

Saige: “I like that they are fluffy and they are cute, just like my bunny ears that I am wearing today are.”

—Brielle and Saige Grady, Piscataway

Giantarlo: “Bunnies like to eat carrots just like I do sometimes, and I think that is fun.”

Micayla: “I like that they hop all around. I haven’t seen any bunnies here yet, but I am going to do the scavenger hunt at the farm now. I hope the Easter bunny will visit my house tomorrow morning and leave some eggs.”

Marvin: “I like how cute and fluffy they are, and they make great pets.”

Jen: “I like how cute they are, but also I know some people who have them as pets and let them hop around their house like a cat.”

—Marvin Quinones with Jen Calvo, Holyoke, Mass.

“We have some bunny stuffed animals at home that Michele likes to play with. We like how fluffy and cute bunnies are.”

—Michele and Valeriy Zholudew, Feasterville

Gabriel: “I like how fluffy they are. It would be fun to snuggle with one. My mom likes to call me her snuggle bunny.”

Charles: “I like the Easter bunnies because they leave some eggs in my backyard, but I think the regular bunnies are pretty cute too.”

Max: “I like Easter bunnies because they give us some toys.”

—Gabriel Zawlocki, Rocky Hill with Charles Plohn, Skillman and Max Zawlocki, Rocky Hill

—Giantarlo and Micayla Santiago, Hamilton

For Retiring Recreation Employee Vikki Caines, Her Impetus Was Giving Back to the Community

At Princeton’s Department of Recreation, Vikki Caines’ title is customer service manager/administrative coordinator. But that barely describes the accomplishments of this 25-year employee, who is retiring at the end of this month.

In addition to being the public face of Community Pool since the new pool opened in 2012, Caines hired, trained, and supervised its customer service staff, working seven days

a week in the summer. She oversaw the community gardens on John Street and Smoyer Park, and turned un-landscaped areas around the municipal complex into colorful gardens — on her own time.

There are the concert series she coordinated each summer at Community Park North Amphitheater, the annual Community Night Out event at the pool, the platform tennis program, and the adult fitness program,

not to mention the many administrative roles she undertook.

“Vikki exemplifies everything that it means to be a great teammate,” wrote Evan Moorhead, executive director of the Recreation Department, in an email.

“She has extremely high standards for excellence, and has been truly devoted to Princeton Recreation, her colleagues, and her community. Princeton has benefited in so many ways from

her 25 years of service, and she will be greatly missed by both the public and her coworkers alike.”

In a phone interview, Caines said that it has all been part of giving back to the community where she raised her two daughters, Zabrina and Zalima Barazani. “I was involved in many things for the department, just trying to make it better,” she said. “When the new pool opened, my thought process was we have to keep this pool looking brand new. Most people thought I was the custodian. They had no idea I hired the staff and did lots of things.”

Caines was born in Trinidad. After migrating to the United States and graduating from college, completing a master gardener program in New York along the way, she moved to Princeton, where she had her daughters.

“When I first came here, I volunteered at the YWCA, and was on the board, and then served as board president,” she said. “Things changed in my life, and I had to go back to work. So, I worked at the Y for three years, under Marge Smith. She was a great friend to me.”

When Smith left, Caines figured it was time to move on. “The administration was changing. Marge, Phyllis Marchand, and Linda Meisel contacted me and said there was a position opening up at the Recreation Department. They were really on Jack Roberts, the director at the time, to hire me, which he did in 1998. I still have that letter, which I recently found. I told him I’d give 150 percent. And here I am, 25 years later.”

Caines is clearly proud of her daughters, who seem to have followed their mother’s accomplished footsteps.

Zabrina graduated from the Lawrenceville School and Rollins College in Florida, where she still lives (and has a daughter). Zalima attended Solomon Schechter Day School in East Brunswick before graduating from the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, N.C.; the University of Pennsylvania; and Johns Hopkins University.

“I raised them Jewish, and she wanted to continue her Jewish education, so

she went to the American Hebrew Academy,” Haines said. “She was valedictorian for the Hebrew part [of the ceremony]. She taught in Harlem for a few years, then moved to California where she works for Apple.”

As her daughters left the nest, Caines got more involved in work at the Recreation Department. An avid gardener, she saw an opportunity around the municipal building. “I was looking at the trash that was around, and I decided to create all these little islands of gardens,” she said. A major focus was a garden named for late Princeton Township mayor Marchand, where Caines has been known to work on weeding and planting as late as 9 p.m. on some days.

“I named one for her because she was instrumental in my life,” Caines said. “She really helped me. I had no family here. She would come over here and have lunch with me. Before she passed, she said, ‘I hope you take care of this, because no one else will.’”

Another passion is platform tennis. Caines started a program with five women, and it quickly grew. “I just kept recruiting, and we went up to 35, and we only have four courts,” she said. “We’re still friends today. The program ended March 30, but they still play some pickup games.”

Having missed three years of visits to Trinidad because of the pandemic, Caines is planning to board a plane May 2 and spend a month visiting family. She has no worries about how to spend her free time once she returns to Princeton. “When I come back, I’ll be able to be with all my friends I didn’t have time to see while I was working,” she said. “I’ll play golf, tennis, and platform tennis. I’ll go into New York, go to the U.S. Open. I’ll get to see my grandchild.”

“Vikki is a dynamo,” said Ellen Gilbert, a Community Pool regular who got to know Caines well and wrote about her for Town Topics when she created the Marchand Meadow in 2011. “She’s the first person you see when the gate opens in the morning. She’s on top of everything.”

—Anne Levin

Isles Spring Celebration to Honor Frisby, Van Wagner Isles, Inc., a Central New Jersey-based community development and environmental organization, will be hosting its Spring Celebration: A Toast to Trenton! on Saturday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at the Social Profit Center at Mill One in Hamilton.

The fundraiser will celebrate two Isles supporters, YMCA executive, community leader, and Mercer County Commissioner Sam Frisby and recently-retired NJM Insurance Group executive Mike Van Wagner.

“We’re celebrating two special friends of Isles,” said Isles CEO Sean Jackson. “Both Sam and Mike play critical roles lifting up our mission and supporting the work of Isles in job training, affordable housing, and community revitalization. To recognize them in our unique Mill One event space will make the evening all the more special.”

The Social Profit Center at Mill One is a historic mill renovated by Isles into a community hub for nonprofits, social impact offices, and artists, as well as for Isles’ headquarters.

Saturday’s event will feature local food, from a variety of empanadas to Mediterranean fare to comfort food with a southern flair, prepared by Princeton-based caterer Occasions by Cintron. Cocktails and mocktails will include a signature “Springtime Sparkler” and Isles’ own “Bees Knees” with Isles’ local award-winning honey. There will also be live music and entertainment and an interactive art activity created by artist Alia Bensliman.

For tickets to the Spring Celebration and further information, visit isles.org/ springcelebration

“Synergy and Networking” Francophone Event

On Thursday, April 13 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Princeton Expat Pro (PEP) is partnering with Princeton University’s Princeton Entrepreneurship Council (PEC) to present “Synergy and Networking” at Princeton Entrepreneurial Hub, 34 Chambers Street; and the Rockefeller College on the campus.

There is a an accounting firm to help hard working individuals, families, and small businesses put their finances in order. We prepare personalized tax plans, lay out tax strategies, and prepare timely tax returns.

There is a an accounting firm to help hard working individuals, families, and small businesses put their finances in order. We prepare personalized tax plans, lay out tax strategies, and prepare timely tax returns.

At 4:30 p.m., participants can visit the University on a guided tour by the Princeton Historical Society. From 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. there will be University and Francophone business ecosystem joint presentations, followed by networking until 7:30 p.m.

The objectives of the event are to connect the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council and Princeton Entrepreneurial ecosystem with Francophone leaders, entrepreneurs, and business organization community; to offer Princeton Entrepreneurship Council additional visibility and synergy opportunities with Francophone leaders, entrepreneurs, and business; to share initiatives through cross presentations of the Council, of some of its entrepreneurs as well as presentation of Francophone initiatives (French Tech, Business France, and French Founders); and to offer Francophone entrepreneurs and leaders community the opportunity to be get involved in PEC community ecosystem events.

Registration is required via Eventbrite.com.

A DYNAMO DEPARTS: Vikki Caines, center, is shown with four executive directors, past and present, of the Princeton Recreation Department, three of whom she has worked for. From left are Ben Stentz (2010-21), Don Barr (1964-90), current director Evan Moorhead, and Jack Roberts (1990-2010).

Sustainability Grants

continued from page one

Interim Principal Nancy Whalen applauded “the innovation, teamwork, and creativity in designing a new greenhouse” and the grant award “that benefits our students and helps their amazing garden expand.”

She added, “By thinking creatively about sustainability, our garden educators and elementary school students will get a new learning space.”

The grant money at PHS will pay for educational signage at the new basin beside the tennis courts. To help

improve the basin’s stormwater capacity, it is currently undergoing naturalization with native plants. “It is nice to be recognized for the hard work and dedication of the students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members on the PHS Green Team,” said PHS Assistant Principal Nicole Mantuano Lacsamana. In a presentation at the NJEA and Sustainable Jersey for Schools awards event held at The College of New Jersey on March 29, PPS Supervisor of Preschool and Special Projects Valerie Ulrich was asked to speak as a representative of an “exemplary district.”

She summarized PPS’s student-driven sustainability campaigns, following Princeton’s guiding principles: “to connect children to nature in meaningful ways; to put children in leadership positions; and to build opportunities for children to answer for themselves: ‘What do you stand for?’”

Projects she highlighted included Support the Sort, a recycling and composting program with student green teams creating posters and videos designed to train students and staff to recycle and sort compostable waste at school; developing gardens

with raised beds; use of the new “outdoor classrooms”; and connecting sustainability and scientific research.

Her presentation showed photos of many of these projects that have been encouraged by Sustainable Jersey.

NJEA President Sean Spiller highlighted NJEA’s collaboration with Sustainable Jersey. “Our job is to help and support this new generation as they continue to become engaged citizens and leaders,” he said. “By emphasizing the value of sustainability and healthy practices, which often go hand-in-hand with economic efficiencies, we help ensure that we leave a better world for our children’s children.”

Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon added, “We applaud the schools and districts ready to implement these innovative sustainability projects and thank NJEA for providing the crucial fi nancial support that will allow these visionary ideas to come to life.”

—Donald Gilpin

Wednesday morning delivery. If interested, please call 609.924.2200 x 30 or email melissa.bilyeu@towntopics.com

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS: Johnson Park Elementary, Riverside Elementary, and Princeton High School (PHS) each received a $2,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey for Schools funded by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). From left are Sustainable Jersey Board Trustee Gary Sondermeyer, NJEA’s Mike Rollins, PHS Assistant Principal Nicole Mantuano Lacsamana, PHS PTO’s Theresa Vaccarro, PHS science teacher James Smirk, and Sustainable Jersey’s Randy Solomon.

“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 Equal Opportunity Employer 4438 Route 27 North, Kingston, NJ 08528

MATERNITY CARE

Expert Care for Women and Babies.

Throughout your pregnancy, delivery, and beyond, Penn Medicine Princeton Health is by your side with the exceptional care you and your family need. We listen and answer your questions because your health and comfort are our top priorities. Your care team is tailored to your needs and your baby’s needs and may include board certified OB/GYNs, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, midwives, anesthesiologists, specially trained nurses and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) neonatologists who are on-site 24/7 in our NICU. Comprehensive programming – from breastfeeding support to specialized o erings such as Daddy Boot Camp™, sibling, and grandparent classes – helps every member of the family prepare for the new arrival. Visit PrincetonHCS.org/Maternity to learn more.

Women’s Health

Rutgers University Strike Continues, First Faculty Strike in School’s History

The first teaching strike in Rutgers University’s 257year history continued into its second day on Tuesday, April 11 with hundreds of professors, adjunct faculty, graduate workers, and undergraduate students participating in demonstrations on all three of Rutgers’ campuses (New Brunswick, Newark, Camden) in support of faculty unions.

Leaders of three unions representing about 9,000 Rutgers faculty members declared the strike on Sunday, saying negotiations for new contracts had stalled, particularly on issues of pay increases and on the rights of untenured adjunct faculty members and graduate workers. Contract talks have been going on since July 2022.

The strike is one of the largest faculty walkouts in U.S. higher education history, according to NJ.com , and is expected to disrupt classes for more than 67,000 students on the three campuses.

The three striking unions are the Rutgers AAUP-AFT,

which represents full-time faculty, graduate workers, postdoctoral associates, and some counselors; the Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union, which represents part-time lecturers; and the AAUPBHSNJ, which represents faculty in the biomedical and health sciences at Rutgers’ medical, dental, nursing, and public health schools.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy met with University and union bargaining committees in his State House office on Monday, and, according to a Rutgers spokesperson, the governor asked Rutgers’ leaders not to take legal action against the striking workers. The legality of the strike is in dispute, with Rutgers claiming that strikes by New Jersey public employees are illegal and the unions contending that there are no laws explicitly outlawing their right to strike.

In an email on Tuesday Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway said that the University had agreed to Murphy’s request not to file a legal injunction against the

strike for now, but Holloway insisted that an injunction could be filed in the future if negotiations make no further progress towards resolution.

“Obviously, if there is no movement towards an agreement, we will have no choice but to take legal action to assure the continued academic progress of our students and prevent irreparable harm,” he said, as quoted in the Daily Targum, Rutgers’ student newspaper.

In an April 9 letter to members of the Rutgers community, Holloway expressed his disappointment that the faculty unions were striking and cited progress made in extensive negotiations so far.

“Significant and substantial progress has been made, as I have noted, and I believe that there are only a few outstanding issues,” he wrote. “We will, of course, negotiate for as long as it takes to reach agreements and will not engage in personal attacks or misinformation.”

Holloway went on to note that Rutgers had offered significantly enhanced compensation programs for all levels of faculty, adjuncts, and graduate assistants.

In votes last month, more than 94 percent of union members who cast a ballot voted to empower union leadership to call a strike if necessary to achieve the unions’ goals for a fair contract. Turnout for the vote was about 80 percent.

—Donald Gilpin

New Appointment Announced At Mercer Community College

Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has announced Gonzalo Perez as new assistant vice president (AVP) of academic affairs, workforce education and innovation. In his role, Perez will oversee Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney Campus (JKC) in conjunction with the Division of Lifelong Learning and MercerOnline.

Perez replaces the former dean of JKC, Tonia PerryConley, and will retain the majority of his current responsibilities as AVP of MercerOnline and the Division of Lifelong Learning.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Perez as AVP,” said Deborah Preston MCCC president. “His expertise and depth of experience in higher education and his demonstrated commitment and contributions to Mercer over the past several years have established him as a remarkable leader and invaluable member of our senior team.”

“Mercer County Community College has a vested interest in continuing to improve the student experience by providing the finest academic and career options,” said Schreyer, vice president of academic affairs. “I believe Dr. Perez has the requisite skills and passion to meet and exceed these goals at James Kerney Campus in Trenton.”

Perez brings to the position 17 years of higher education experience and a history of innovation, leadership, staff development, relationship building, and operations planning. His work to date has focused on improving access to education and fostering success for a diverse student population.

“I am honored and excited about my expanded role at MCCC,” said Perez. “My past experience has put me on solid footing to face the new and interesting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Before joining MCCC in 2020, Perez served as associate provost of Coconino Community College (CCC) in Flagstaff, Ariz., where he helped develop innovative online programming. He also expanded CCC’s precollege program that prepared students for higher education. While at CCC, he collaborated with Native American tribes on remote education initiatives and led the Southern Nevada/ Northern Arizona Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) grant, increasing the number of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. At both CCC and NAU, Perez also served as an adjunct professor of computer information systems.

Originally from Guttenberg, Perez spent seven years in various leadership roles with Passaic County Community College in Paterson, and is no stranger to working with urban communities. He holds a doctorate in applied computing from Pace University in New York City, and both a Master of Science in management information systems and Bachelor of Science in management science from Kean University.

PCRD Hosts Presentation

On Seminary Development

A presentation and discussion regarding the former sites of the historic Tennent Hall, Roberts Hall, and Whiteley Gymnasium (TRW), and 92 Stockton Street will be presented Saturday, April 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room of Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street.

The event is presented by the Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development (PCRD). Nearly five years ago, Princeton began the process of designating an “Area in Need of Redevelopment” (ANR) for 10 lots owned by Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS).

Five of those lots are now under contract to a private developer. An ANR gives the town the authority to allow more (or require less) than is allowed under the current zoning (R3 for a private developer/E4 for an educational institution).

PCRD will present a vision for how the properties can be responsibly developed, consistent with feedback from recent community surveys, and will solicit public comments and alternative visions.

For more information, visit pcrd.info.

More Than $2 Million Awarded to Nonprofits

The Princeton Area Community Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in Community Impact and COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund grants to local nonprofits. More than 60 organizations working on a broad variety of needs in the community, including arts education, community building, education, food insecurity, health, supporting senior citizens and other vulnerable populations, and youth development received this funding, made possible by generous community contributions.

Funding was mainly unrestricted, giving organizations an opportunity to address the challenges of economic uncertainty due to the pandemic and inflation. Unrestricted grants in this round provide the flexibility organizations need to use the funding where it is most needed, which will help

them build financial and programmatic resiliency.

“These nonprofits are doing impactful work in the region, helping the most vulnerable among us,” said Jeffrey M. Vega, president and CEO of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. “We are able to award these grants thanks to generous donors who have created funds over the last 30 years to support our community grantmaking and leadership.”

Among the largest grants were $150,000 to the Foundation for Educational Administration for its Healing Centered Engagement program focused on supporting schools, to help staff identify and help children experiencing trauma; a $115,000 grant to Arm In Arm, which is working with Housing Initiatives of Princeton to prevent evictions; and a $100,000 grant to Mercer Street Friends, which is working with the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County to expand its Community Schools model in Trenton. For a full list of grants, visit pacf.org.

Police Blotter

On April 8, at 2 a.m., subsequent to a motor vehicle stop on Mercer Road, the driver, a 19-year-old male from West Windsor, was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to Princeton Police Department headquarters where he was processed and released.

On April 6, at 11:41 p.m., a caller reported that someone wearing a dark colored mask stole several packages from the front porch of their Walnut Lane residence, and left the area in an unknown direction. The Detective Bureau is investigating.

On April 5, at 6:14 p.m., subsequent to a call at a retail establishment on State Road, an employee, a 58-year-old female from Franklin Park, was found to have stolen cash from the store. She was placed under arrest, processed, charged, and released.

Unless otherwise noted, individuals arrested were later released.

AT THE URBAN CAMPUS: Gonzalo Perez brings his experience to Mercer County Community College, where he will focus on the James Kerney Campus in Trenton.

Open Space

continued from page one and wildlife, among other factors, noting they are “important linkage properties.”

Sophie Glovier of The Watershed Institute called the idea “a far-sighted investment for the community,” with excellent wetlands. The Watershed Institute is among the organizations supporting the Emerald Necklace initiative.

Former Councilwoman Jo Butler, who lives on Hibben Road, asked why open space closer to the town was not under consideration. Specifically, she identified a 2.1-acre field at the corner of Hibben Road and Mercer Street. “I feel like I should have gone to my tennis drill tonight because I feel like the decisions have already been made and this is a bit of a waste of time,” she said. The area she described is part of the Princeton Theological Seminary properties that the town designated as an area in need of redevelopment (ANR) in 2018.

Since the Hibben property could be developed soon, that makes it “a more urgent opportunity” than the proposed acquisition of land along the Princeton Ridge, Butler said, adding that the Hibben site could be used for recreational purposes, possibly for a soccer field or for pick-up games for residents. Butler also mentioned property on Stockton Street that could be made part of Marquand Park.

DeAlmeida asked how much the town would have to pay for the proposed parcels. Hvozdovic said it would certainly be in the seven figures. “But we do end up with more property at the end of the day,” he said. “So we are buying open space. But yes, it’s going to cost more than it certainly would have 20 years ago.”

To comment on the proposals or add suggestions, send feedback to engineering@princetonnj.gov or write to Cindy Taylor, Open Space Manager, Municipality of Princeton, 400 Witherspoon Street, Princeton NJ 08540. Copies of written comments can also be sent to maude.snyder@ dep.nj.gov. Any questions should be directed to Taylor at (609) 921-7077.

—Anne Levin

Achtau Named Principal at Riverside, Starting in July

Max L. Achtau II, principal at Sunnybrae Elementary School in Hamilton since 2018, will be the new Riverside Elementary School principal, starting in July, the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) has announced.

He will take over from Interim Principal Nancy Whalen, who has been at the helm at Riverside since last summer. The PPS announcement noted that Whalen will remain at Riverside through the end of the school year and will be available over the summer to ensure a smooth transition.

Nursing School at TESU Earns Reaccreditation

The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions at Thomas Edison State University (TESU) has announced that the New Jersey Board of Nursing has granted reaccreditation for its Accelerated BSN Program for a period of eight years.

In its confirmation, the New Jersey Board of Nursing thanked the school for its dedicated service to nursing education and granted reaccreditation through 2031.

“The reaccreditation substantiates the quality, integrity and rigor of our Accelerated BSN Program,” said Cynthia Baum, provost and senior vice president at TESU. “It also denotes a vital benchmark for the program, and we are proud of the school’s staff for this achievement. We look forward to our continuing role in the advancement of nursing education in the state and supporting the collective health and well-being in our community.”

$20

$25

“Mr. Achtau’s depth of experience, dedication to student success, and leadership skills stood out during the interview process,” said PPS Superintendent Carol Kelley. “We believe Mr. Achtau will be an excellent addition to Riverside.”

Kelley also praised Whalan for her leadership at Riverside over the past year.

Achtau has a total of 23 years of experience as an educator, including nine years as a school administrator.

Prior to Sunnybrae, Achtau was assistant principal and dean of students at the Warren Middle School. Before that he taught German and science in West WindsorPlainsboro schools, and from 2002 to 2006 he taught ESL and reading at The American School in Switzerland. He began his career teaching middle school German and Spanish in Wellesley, Mass.

Achtau received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and has dual Masters of Arts degrees from Tufts University in both German literature and teaching. He has a post master’s certificate in educational leadership from The College of New Jersey.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the Riverside team in July,” said Achtau, who lives in Lawrenceville with his wife Julie and their two children. He noted that he will be scheduling “meet and greets” this summer for staff and families.

According to data in the New Jersey Board of Nursing’s recently published 2022 NCLEX-RN Program Report on fourth-quarter fi rst-time pass rates, the average firsttime pass rate for TESU’s Accelerated BSN Program students is 90 percent. According to Lia van Rijswijk, chief nursing administrator of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions, the average firsttime pass rate across all graduating cohorts since the program’s inception in 2010 is 94 percent.

“Our staff works diligently with our pre-licensure nursing students to prepare them to provide optimal care for patients in a variety of healthcare settings, pass the NCLEX-RN exam and be ready to start a productive and rewarding career in the field of nursing,” said van Rijswijk. “While earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, they also earn nine graduate-level nursing credits. As a consequence, many of our BSN graduates use those credits to jumpstart their Master of Science in Nursing studies and advance their careers.”

The school added a third yearly cohort to its Accelerated BSN Program in January 2022 to keep up with program demand and to give pre-licensure nursing students the flexibility of starting the program either in the fall, winter or spring.

To learn more, visit tesu. edu/nursing.

A. Pennacchi & Sons Co.

Established in 1947

WATER WATER EVERYWHERE!

Let's rid that water problem in your basement once and for all! Complete line of waterproofing services, drain systems, interior or exterior, foundation restoration and structural repairs. Restoring those old and decaying walls of your foundation.

1947

Max L. Achtau II

A group of concerned parents has planned a rally for Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m. in Hinds Plaza next to the Princeton Public Library to protest the dismissal of Princeton High School Principal Frank Chmiel and to demand transparency from the School Board and superintendent.

“We are hoping to come together as a school community to remind the Board of Education and the superintendent that there has to be more transparency in the decision-making process, and some compassion as well,” said Vijayeta Sinh, one of the parent organizers.

“We are concerned parents,” she added. “The entire way in which this was handled, the way our complaints and grievances have not been heard and not been responded to, it makes one ask the question: ‘Who is the Board serving? Are they truly listening to their constituents and are they trying to make

Chmiel Supporters Plan April 16 Rally, Waiting to Hear Reasons for Dismissal Specialists

the process straightforward?’ We want the school district to be more transparent on this issue and other issues.”

The BOE, in accordance with state law, has not released information from Chmiel’s personnel file, but lawyers for Chmiel have appealed the district’s decision for nonrenewal and have requested from the superintendent a statement of reasons for Chmiel’s dismissal. The deadline for that statement is next week, and upon receiving it the lawyers plan to request a hearing in which Chmiel and his attorneys will respond to the statement and make Chmiel’s case for renewal.

Petitions continue to circulate supporting Chmiel and calling for his reinstatement, calling for the resignation of Superintendent Carol Kelley, and demanding transparency from the BOE.

—Donald Gilpin

Council Budget continued from page one

The CRC recommends that historical information should at least have an acknowledgement of the historic homeland of the Lenape people. The signs could also include other information such as a municipal-centric timepoint, “Consolidated in 2013,” and other historical data points that relate to the major historical events or historic neighborhoods within the municipality of Princeton, he said.

In addition to changing the signs, the town could undertake such long-term plans as donating time and/or funds to support Indigenous organizations, and a commitment to returning land to Indigenous people. Councilmembers thanked DiDomizio and fellow speakers including Kim Dorman and Bob Durkee for their input.

Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic asked the CRC to share the research they have already completed with municipal staff as they look into the issue.

Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell gave the presentation on plans for the third phase of the Witherspoon Street Improvement Project. The first phase, which runs from Nassau to Green streets, is scheduled for completion next month. Construction on the second phase, which extends from Green Street to Leigh Avenue, is to begin in May; a pre-construction meeting for the public will take place on May 10 at 7 p.m. in Witherspoon Hall.

The design process for Phase III is beginning, and will continue through June, Purcell said. The final design is targeted for September before the project goes out to bid. “We have to award a construction contract by October 21 because we are using DOT (Department of Transportation) municipal aid funds, and they’ve set a deadline,” Purcell said, adding that Princeton’s own capital improvement funds will also be used.

Included in the proposed plan is a reduction in traffic lane widths from 12 to 11 feet, and wider sidewalks. Traffic-calming measures would include bumpouts and raised crosswalks. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, and replaced and added street trees are also part of the plan, as are plans for drainage improvements, sewer repairs and replacement, power line upgrades, and a gas modernization program. Full details of the presentation are available at princetonnj. gov.

Council’s next public meeting is on April 24 at 7 p.m.

—Anne Levin

Eden Autism Presents Princeton Lecture Series

This year’s Princeton Lecture Series at Eden Autism will focus on the transition to adulthood and the importance of employment for individuals with autism. “Adolescents with Autism and the Transition to Adulthood” will be held on Thursday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Individuals can attend in person at the Munich RE Conference Center, 665 College Road East, or virtually.

Dr. Alyssa Siegel, clinical director of CHOP’s NJ Transition to Adult Coordinated Care, will present “Changes of Puberty in Individuals with I/DD: Body and Behavior.”

At CHOP, Siegel leads a multi-disciplinary team to provide direct patient care, coordination of complex medical care, and social support to a growing population of teens and young adults with developmental disabilities. Her presentation will cover the special considerations of puberty for individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities.

Alissa Brooke, director of employment research training at Virginia Commonwealth University, will present “Strategies That Lead to the Hiring and Retention of Workers with Disabilities: The Role of the Employment Specialist.” Brooke is devoted to developing and honing the skills and techniques required

to build trusting relationships with employers, and disseminating this information to others in the field.

Paul Wehman, director, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center – Virginia Commonwealth University, will present “Building a Neurodiverse Workforce: Employers and Educators Helping to Unlock the Work Potential of Youth with Autism.” Wehman’s interdisciplinary background and work in the beginning of supported employment has facilitated thousands of persons with physical disabilities, mental health issues, developmental disabilities, brain injury, and spinal cord injury to enter competitive integrated employment.

Rounding out the lineup is Mary Jane Weiss, chief learning officer at Eden Autism Services and a professor at Endicott College, who will present “The Big Picture of Autism and Adulthood: Ensuring Dignity, Happiness, Meaningful Engagement, and Quality of Life.”

Admission for in-person attendance is $100 and includes breakfast and lunch. Virtual registration is $50. The event is free for students, and CEUs and Professional Development hours are also available.

For more information or to register, visit edenautism.org/ princeton-lecture-series.

Cooperative for Just steps

We are currently accepting applications for 2021-2022

Premier Cooperative Nursery School for 2.5-5 year olds

Just steps from Princeton University

We are currently accepting a pplications for 2018-2019

For more information, visit nassaunursery.org or call 917.698.2118

We are currently a pplications for 2 For more information, visit nassaunursery.org or

For more information, visit nassaunursery.org or call 609.924.0566

visit nassaunursery.org or call 917.698.2118

All Should Remember to Treat Each Other Civilly, Disagree Respectfully

To the Editor: I like Frank Chmiel. My son, a PHS 10th grader, likes Frank Chmiel. I liked the friendly, earnest Chmiel Spiels I’d receive in my inbox every Sunday evening. I like that Mr. Chmiel gave a warbled rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit at the fall pep rally. His strong connection with many, many students and many, many parents is undeniable. That is a critical aspect of a principal’s job, especially important in the wake of the isolation of COVID.

But I also know that connecting with students and parents is only part of a principal’s job, and that I have no idea how Mr. Chmiel performed in his other critical areas of responsibility. But the 11 people who do know — the 10 members of our Board of Education and our superintendent, a group that often disagrees vigorously with one another — were unanimous in their conclusion that Mr. Chmiel’s departure was the right step for our district. To me, that’s telling.

We may never know the details of why Mr. Chmiel was placed on leave. New Jersey law strongly protects personnel privacy, as it should. But I have met every member of this Board of Education and I know several members well, so I can say with confidence that this is a group of 10 extraordinarily hard-working volunteers who take their responsibilities to our children, our teachers, our administrators, and our town very seriously. They do this unpaid, unglamorous work because they believe in public education, as do we all.

The recent events surrounding Mr. Chmiel’s departure have caused a good deal of unrest and hard feelings among parents and students in our town. Such strong emotions are not a bad thing — we care because we believe in our town’s extraordinary public schools. But to keep our public schools strong, we need to keep the vitriol in check. If this debate devolves into name-calling — accusations of wokeism on one side and racism on the other — then Princeton risks falling into the same toxic pattern we’ve seen in so many other school board debates around the country. When that happens, there’s one clear loser: public education.

One of the core skills our children learn in school is to treat each other civilly and disagree respectfully, no matter the intensity of their emotions. For the good of our district, I hope we all remember that lesson.

JANE MANNERS Wheatsheaf Lane

Chmiel Should Be Reinstated at PHS Because “the Kids are Not Well”

To the Editor:

I have been very actively involved with the Parent-Teacher Organization group in our public schools for over 15 years and have served as a leader for nearly six years, four at Princeton High School (PHS). My service work to the parents in our schools has brought me to a place of deep care for the parents in our community. My “inside” information is all from listening to parents and others who work directly with our youth — and I believe that “the kids are not well.”

It is for this main reason that I am one of the most vocal parents in objecting to the BOE and Superintendent Dr. Kelley’s decision to oust Principal Frank Chmiel on March 17. That night was the PHS Asian Festival event and Mr. Chmiel was supposed to participate in student-led fan dance. Instead, I stayed home traumatized by the eblast sent out by Dr. Kelley and the BOE, and taking many messages from distressed parents.

When one receives traumatizing news you can go into a shell and isolate, or you can use the surge of emotional energy to create a community. The PHS Parents Discussion Facebook and PrincetonParents4PPS Google Group were both created the next morning. Our groups are both still going and we are now actively working to reinstate Frank Chmiel as the principal of PHS.

I cannot speak for other parent activists, but for me my reason is because “the kids are not well.” I’ve seen Frank Chmiel in action and heard many stories from PHS parents on how he impacted their kids for good in their moments of grief, sadness, anxieties, and low self-esteem. He is an extraordinary and outstanding leader with great empathy, kindness, and approachability.

Plus Mr. Chmiel has many years of experience with safety and drug issues, having worked as principal and assistant principal at Franklin High School right before he came to PHS. Yes, there are already big issues in our schools because the “kids are not well.” PHS needs an experienced school leader who has real life experiences from the frontlines, not theoretical ones from behind the desk.

The level of bullying that I’ve been hearing about is unprecedented since the kids have emerged from the pandemic isolation. An 11-year-old girl from Mount Holly Middle and a 14-year old girl from Central Regional High made news recently because of their suicides from bullying; but there are so many that don’t make news because the kids self-harm in other destructive ways.

With all the talk by the BOE and Dr. Kelley about the great importance of teen mental health to them, in my opinion they have done the worst job in offering safety and stability to our high school students by taking out their beloved Principal Frank Chmiel in mid-March. I hope that

the parents have the community’s support to help us reinstate Frank Chmiel as principal of PHS. The kids need his leadership for their safety, well-being, and morale. T hank you for reading my “mama-bear” appeal.

SASHA WEINSTEIN Shady Brook Lane

Noting that Princeton’s Board of Ed, Superintendent Have Public Trust Issue

To the Editor: There is a crisis of confidence in Princeton’s Board of Education (BOE) and Superintendent Carol Kelley. Thousands of students, parents, and other residents have signed petitions, spoken publicly, and written letters and emails questioning the recent mid-year dismissal of Princeton High School’s (PHS) extremely popular principal.

The current crisis was triggered by Principal Chmiel’s dismissal, but it has taken root because many Princeton residents see it as fitting into a pattern of deeply misguided decisions and behaviors by the BOE and superintendent. All residents, not just those with children in Princeton public schools, should be paying close attention to these developments. Many decisions appear to be happening in an undemocratic manner: without justification, transparency, or accountability. For those who have not been following closely, I believe it is important to share the following information:

There has been criticism that Principal Chmiel has not publicly “released” his personnel file. In fact, his lawyers have officially requested his file including the BOE’s reasons for dismissal. As of this writing, however, the BOE has still not provided this information to him. Mr. Chimel cannot be expected to “release” his file when he has neither received nor been given the opportunity to review it.

At the last public BOE meeting, many residents — supported by hundreds of in-person attendees — urged the BOE to delay voting on hiring an interim PHS principal.

To the dismay and consternation of the majority in attendance, the BOE then proceeded to hide this very controversial appointment vote in a Consent Agenda, a tool meant for expediting passage of items of a “routine and non-controversial” nature.

When the superintendent was hired, the BOE allowed her to bring in her own outside public relations firm. Why would a superintendent in a small town like Princeton need a public relations firm? And how much are we

paying them? Ironically, many Princeton residents have been disappointed with the superintendent’s poor communication surrounding recent incidents of bullying, violence, antisemitism, and other discriminatory actions.

There have been recent attempts by individuals and organizations to paint those in Princeton with legitimate criticism of the superintendent as racist. Racism and other forms of bigotry have no place in Princeton; nor should groups be permitted to weaponize racism in order to silence legitimate criticism and public discourse, and undermine transparent information sharing. No one, including BOE members, should fear being labeled a racist for questioning the decisions of a superintendent.

It appears that a culture of fear has taken hold amongst the staff and teachers in our schools, who are afraid of speaking up. The exiting of excellent, experienced staff and teachers has already caused upheaval in our schools and surely will continue in this environment.

I sincerely hope the BOE takes note of the urgency of the current crisis and listens to its constituents. Without accountability and full transparency, it will be extremely difficult for the BOE to regain the trust of the Princeton community.

JASON ROGART, MD Marion Road

PERSONAL

SOLUTIONS...AND MORE, INC.

During these challenging times we are actively supporting our clients providing the following services as “your virtual home office.”

www.ppsmore.com

•

Thanks to All Who Supported Packed “Poverty, By America” Book Event

To the Editor:

Every pew in Nassau Presbyterian Church was packed as the community gathered last month to hear Prof. Matt Desmond discuss his new, must-read book, Poverty, By America with Prof. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, who we are excited to hear will be rejoining Princeton’s faculty this summer. Thank you to the Princeton Public Library and Labyrinth Books for co-sponsoring this event, to the Princeton community for showing up in force, and to everyone who purchased books, as the proceeds are being split between HomeFront and our organization, Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP).

The thesis of Poverty, By America is that the scourge of poverty in our country can only be solved by addressing economic and racial inequalities perpetuated by wealthier communities like ours here in Princeton. Prof. Desmond calls on each of us to take action by advocating for the building of affordable housing in our neighborhoods and supporting organizations like HIP that are helping to increase access to stable housing and economic prosperity.

Research from Prof. Desmond’s Eviction Lab informs

JAZZ AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESENTS

the work of HIP. For example, we offer rental assistance without requiring an eviction filing because we know the damage an eviction filing can cause by preventing a family from getting housing in the future.

We invite interested community members to learn more about our work by attending our Spring Fundraiser on April 30, featuring the Eviction Lab’s Matt Mleczko. Tickets and more information can be found on our website: housinginitiativesofprinceton.org.

KATHLEEN GITTLEMAN Executive Director, HIP Honey Brook Drive

LIZ LEMPERT Board Chair, HIP Meadowbrook Drive

Developer Should Get Creative with Proposal for Jugtown Construction

To the Editor: I would like to propose some original thinking about Jugtown. The proposal that came before the Historic Preservation Commission was a huge building on a tiny lot. It looked as if the developer told the architect, “What is the most floor area we can jam into this lot and make the most money?” This four-story building is out of proportion in Jugtown.

I have a suggestion. There are several properties in the immediate vicinity of this proposed construction with odd layouts, strange parking arrangements, and unused buildings. It might be prudent for the developer to approach several of the adjacent property owners and work to consolidate several lots and build something that would improve the whole neighborhood. Right now, there are several tiny parking areas, each with its own access driveways and walls, barriers, curbs, and a variety of other features that make the parking arrangement inefficient. Whole Earth Center’s parking is terribly wasteful. If the developer had a larger footprint encompassing several lots there arises the possibility of making a building that worked better for the whole area.

Imagine if the developer could convince the foot doctor on North Harrison to include his lot in the project. The firehouse is not being used as a firehouse. The building itself is not historic. There is an empty lot where the township stores work vehicles. Imagine if the Whole Earth food store were to join in a development and reorganize the existing parking into a more prudent arrangement.

Consolidating several lots would give a developer a long street front on North Harrison with which to accommodate a more useful structure. One could envision enough footprint to have serious underground parking. The foot doctor could have upstairs offices, the food store could have space for a less jumbled store, and a four-story structure full of condos and affordable housing could be set back and not be a visual affront to the neighborhood.

There is no reason why the plot lines laid out ages ago must force development into a dozen small four-story buildings. Consolidate lots! Preserve the elder buildings in front and use the large footprint behind the historic buildings to make a building that has enough space to be profitable.

Meanwhile if the developer worked with the Bank of America they could build outside the sensitive historic area with a huge footprint. Get creative! Think outside the BOX!

ALEX RANDALL Queenston Place

Extending Thanks to Book Club Members for Support During Difficult Time

To the Editor:

A great pleasure during my life in the Princeton area has been membership in the Princeton Bookies. For several years we have met every month in each other’s homes but now, of course, we meet online. My husband of 68 years is at home with hospice care. Every week for two months, a book club member has come by with dinner. Usually, she stays for a chat and we get to know each other outside of book discussions.

My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you: Ferris, Marlaine, Alice, Audrey, Nicky, Sandy, Jane, the other Sandy, Judit, and Lee — you all know who you are. I love you and could not possibly be more grateful. Bless you for your generosity and, not least, for your excellent cooking!

LIZ HAGEN Sayre Drive

Letters to the Editor Policy

SMALL GROUP X with GREG TARDY saxophone

SMALL GROUP A with MICHAEL DEASE trombone

ARTEMIS

SMALL GROUP X with JON IRABAGON saxophone

RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA BIRD CALLS

TICKETED HEADLINER CONCERT

CREATIVE LARGE ENSEMBLE with RUFUS REID bass

12:00 – 6:30 PM FESTIVAL

RICHARDSON LAWN

FREE | UNTICKETED

8:00 PM CONCERT

RICHARDSON AUDITORIUM

ALEXANDER HALL $15 GENERAL | $5 STUDENTS

DETAILS & TICKETS

jazzatprinceton.com

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.

music.princeton.edu

Books

T he Safety of Objects and Things You Should Know

She also teaches creative writing at the Lewis Center for the Arts.

“Art of Biblical Narrative”

Talk at Bildner Center

Renowned scholar Robert Alter, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at University of California at Berkeley, will discuss the poetry, prose, and literary aspects of the Hebrew Bible at a public talk at Rutgers on April 19 at 7:30 p.m. The free talk, open to the public, talk will be in person at RutgersNew Brunswick, Douglass Student Center, located at 100 George Street in New Brunswick.

University as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. The program is made possible through funding from Leon and Toby Cooperman. Free campus parking is available. For more information and to register, visit BildnerCenter.Rutgers.edu.

Fund for Irish Studies

Presents Elizabeth Boyle

Elizabeth Boyle, lecturer in Early Irish at Maynooth University in Ireland, presents a lecture based on her Irish Times bestseller Fierce Appetites: Lessons From My Year of Untamed Thinking. The essay collection, published in March 2022 (Penguin U.K.), was shortlisted for Nonfiction Book of the Year at the 2022 Irish Book Awards. Boyle will be introduced by Visiting Leonard L. Milberg ’52 Professor in Irish Letters Fintan O’Toole.

The event will take place Friday, April 14 at 4:30 p.m. at the James Stewart Film Theater at 185 Nassau Street, and is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.

Daphne Kalotay, A.M. Homes Discuss “The Archivists” at Library

Labyrinth Books and Princeton Pubic Library are co-presenting a conversation between writers Daphne Kalotay and A.M. Homes regarding Kalotay’s new collection, The Archivists: Stories (TriQuarterly, Northwestern University Press, $20). The event is on April 19 at 7 p.m., at the Princeton Public Library and online. It is co-sponsored by Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts and Humanities Council. The inperson event at the library also has streaming available on YouTube.com.

The characters in Kalotay’s stories are everyday people who find connection and liberation in surprising ways when they experience private losses or shocks of history. The stories in T he Archivists, which won the 2021 Grace Paley Prize for short fiction, touch on the 2008 economic crash, fallout after the 2016 presidential election, gentrification, pandemic lockdown, illness, or the intergenerational impacts of the Holocaust and Communist occupation of Eastern Europe.

Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less, wrote that “Kalotay is one of our great writers, and these stories — intimately detailed with grief, hope, longing, joy — are small miracles. More than once I was brought to tears. Reading them is like magically entering a set of photographs, and feeling as the characters feel. Or no — of mirrors, because we recognize ourselves. The Archivists , with its empathy and precision, is what reading is about.”

Kalotay is the author of Calamity and Other Stories and the award-winning novels Russian Winter , Sight Reading , and Blue Hours . Her work has been published in more than 20 languages. She teaches at Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts.

Homes is the author of The Unfolding. Her other books include the bestselling memoir The Mistress’ Daughter ; the novels This Book Will Save Your Life , The End of Alice , and Jack ; and the short story collections Days of Awe ,

The stories of the Hebrew Bible, considered foundational texts of western civilization, are essential to storytelling, as shown in Alter’s book, The Art of Biblical Narrative, which was considered groundbreaking when it was published in 1981. The book put its scholarly focus on the literary aspects of the original Hebrew text. Alter published an English translation of the complete Hebrew Bible in 2018 that has been called a “masterpiece,” and won the PEN Center Literary Award for Translation, Light refreshments will be served following the talk, which is presented by the Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life at Rutgers

Sharon Arbuthnot, writing for the Irish Times, called the book “unusual, arresting and genuinely enriching,” and novelist Hilary Mantel recommended it as “an agile story, irreverent, capacious and constantly surprising: like nothing else you will read.” Boyle’s lecture will expand upon topics from the book.

O’Toole’s books on politics include the recent bestsellers We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland and Heroic Failure: Brexit and the Politics of Pain. His books on theater include works on William Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and Thomas Murphy. He regularly contributes to The New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, Granta, The Guardian, The Observer, and other international publications.

O’Toole chairs The Fund for Irish Studies at Princeton. The event is part of the Fund for Irish Studies lecture series at Princeton University, and is co-produced by the Lewis Center for the Arts. For more information, visit arts.princeton.edu.

Bayard Rustin Center Hosts Talk with Adam Gopnik

The Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice (BRCSJ) will host a conversation and book-signing with acclaimedauthor and New Yorker columnist Adam Gopnik on Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m. at BRCSJ headquarters, 12 Stockton Street.

At the talk, copies of Gopnik’s new book The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery will be on hand to be purchased and signed by the author in support of the LGBTQIA safe space and community activist center. Gopnik has been writingfor the New Yorker since 1986, including during his time in Paris when he wrote for the Paris Journal. While there, he also wrote Paris To the Moon; The King in The Window; Through the Children’s Gate: A Home in New York; Angels and Ages: A Short Book About Lincoln, Darwin, and Modern Life; Winter: Five Windows on the Season; The Table Comes First; At the Strangers’ Gate: Arrivals In New York; and A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventures of Liberalism, among others.

Registration for this free event is available at facebook.com/events/ 169794932510991, but not necessary to attend. For more information about the BRCSJ, visitRustinCenter.org.

Sound Journey with Ruth Cunningham

As a medieval historian, Boyle specializes in the intellectual, cultural, and religious history of pre-modern Europe. Her research focuses on Ireland, and she has also published on early medieval Wales and England. Boyle’s academic publications include the 2021 monograph History and Salvation in Medieval Ireland and numerous articles in international journals such as History of Religions, The Journal of Medieval Latin, Anglo-Saxon England, and Medium Ævum She earned a Ph.D. from Cambridge in 2008.

Sound Journey with Ruth Cunningham

Sound Journey with Ruth Cunningham

Wednesday September 14 5:30pm

Ruth Cunningham, a founding member of the world-renowned vocal ensemble Anonymous 4 and a sound healing practitioner, offers composed and improvised music for meditation, contemplation, and prayer. The program continues monthly: 10/5,

Robert Alter

Elizabeth Boyle

(Photo by Bob Foyers)

e Twisted Forest specializes in pendants and necklaces made with natural stone and inspired by the earth.

Life is a wild polyphony...

—Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

During the media’s recent “wild polyphony” on a theme of indictment, I tried a “Brahms/indictment” search online just for fun and came up with Maurice Brahms, founding owner of a discotheque called Infinity, which had a 100-foot-long dance floor surrounded by mirrors, colored neon rings, 54 spinning laser beams, and 70 neon sculptures. Once known as “the uncrowned king of New York night life,” Brahms was the subject of a 1980 federal grand jury investigation into possible tax fraud. So while a terminally fraudulent ex-president was being indicted and arraigned in a New York courtroom, I learned that Brahms had retained Donald Trump’s favorite fixer Roy Cohn, who also represented the owners of Studio 54, a target of the same investigation. Warned by Cohn through an intermediary that his family would be harmed if he fought the sentence, Brahms pled guilty and served two and a half years at Allenwood Federal Penitentiary.

I could have rolled the Google dice and come up with any number of professions for an American Brahms, in and out of the music business, but given the ongoing interest in Trump’s and the country’s current plight, it was worth the search to know that the great composer’s namesake was a player in New York’s 1970s club scene. It’s also worth adding that in his late teens Maurice’s son Eric promoted events at Manhattan nightclubs featuring, among a polyphony of other performers, Run DMC, LL Cool J, 2 Live Crew, Jazzy Jeff, Fresh Prince, and Fat Joe.

Hamburg

to Hollywood

Since “polyphony” derives from the Greek word for “many sounds” and names are sounds, “Brahms” has its own atmosphere and music, with nuances darkly evocative of the genre French critics dubbed film noir, the terrain of one of the wartime 1940’s most haunted and haunting directors, John Brahm, born Hans Brahm (no “s”) in Hamburg in 1893. At around the same time, four years before his April 3,1897 death, Hamburg native Johannes Brahms was composing the Intermezzos, and giving piano lessons to young Max Steiner (1888-1971), who landed in Hollywood in 1929 and would eventually be dubbed “the father of film music,” best known for composing the scores for Gone With the Wind and Casablanca .

A decade later, after fleeing from Nazi Germany to England (where he directed a remake of D.W. Griffith’s Broken Blossoms ), John Brahm came to Hollywood and found his métier in richly atmospheric thrillers like The Lodger (1944) and his masterpiece Hangover Square (1945), in which a composer susceptible to amnesia

Adventures in the World of Brahms

goes on a murderous rampage whenever his hearing is assaulted by sudden loud noises. While it seems unlikely that Johannes Brahms would have had much interest in his former student Steiner’s florid scores, he’d have surely been impressed by the soundscape Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975) created for Hangover Square , including the piano concerto he composed for the tormented pianist/composer (Laird Cregar), who concludes his first and only public performance literally on fire. While Herrmann won acclaim for scoring Alfred Hitchcock classics like Vertigo and Psycho, John Brahm ended his career in television, directing numerous episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone

Playing for the Master

Writing about Brahms last week, I focused on later works like the Intermezzos and the lively word pictures in James Huneker’s book Mezzotints in Modern Music . Describing the memorable morning in October 1853 when Brahms “presented his credentials” to Robert Schumann, Huneker pictures the 20-year-old as “completely worn out,” having “walked part of the way to Düsseldorf because his money was gone.” When Schumann asked him to play something, Brahms performed his Opus 1, the C major Sonata. “Little wonder,” writes Huneker, that Schumann, “great artist and great critic,” should have declared that it was “music the like of which he had never heard before, and proclaimed the shy, awkward youth a master.” Given Brahms’s reference decades later to life’s “wild polyphony,” it’s interesting that Huneker refers to the “genial polyphony” of Brahms’s presence when describing Schumann’s response “to the devices of counterpoint used in the freest fashion” that led him to consider the young composer “a romanticist.”

Brahms in Hamburg

Before I get to Hollywood’s presentation of this landmark moment in Brahms’s story, I want to go back to his beginning in Hamburg, where the teenager earned money for his struggling family by playing piano in dives in the St. Pauli district, precursors of the clubs the teenage Beatles performed in a century later (today there

are tours headed “From Brahms to the Beatles”). Checking for more information about Brahms in Hamburg, I found a photograph of the towering tenement building in which he spent the first years of his life. According to the article by Hermione Lai (interlude.hk, October 3, 2022), the Brahms family moved in 1833 to a “ramshackle half-timbered house on Specksgang — Bacon Lane — in the Gängeviertel,” a district “well known for its sailor’s dancehalls that doubled as brothels. The family probably lived on the first floor in two very small and low-ceilinged rooms.... There was no bathroom or running water, with people drinking unfiltered water from the canals. When a sanitation inspector entered the area as late as 1892, he remarked that he had ‘never seen such unhealthy places, pest-houses, and breedingplaces for every infection.’” It was from that rickety sevenstory warren that on May 7, 1833, the Brahms fam ily “announced the birth of a healthy son.”

Brahms in Person

Cited as the author of one of two “exceptional biographies” in Brahms and His World (Princeton University Press 2009), Florence May (1845-1923) knew the composer in person as a teacher and a friend. In her 1905 biography she gives an account of his meeting with Robert and Clara Schumann that Hollywood would depict in the biopic Song of Love (1947). “After some preliminary conversation, the master desired his visitor to play something of his own. Scarcely was the first movement of the C major Sonata concluded, when he rose and left the room, and, returning with his wife, desired to hear it again.”

Brahms obliged, playing it to “the amazement and delight” of the Schumanns, who as soon as he had finished one movement “bade him play another, and at the end of that, another, and still desired more, so that when, at length, the performance was at an end their hearts had gone out to him in affection, whilst in his the first link had already been forged of that chain of love by which he soon became bound to the one and the other till the end of both their lives.”

If May’s prose sounds a bit old-fashioned, it’s offset by the fact that she took

lessons with both Clara Schumann and Brahms in Baden-Baden in 1871, when she was 26. Years later she would sit listening in her “blue-papered, carpetless little room” as Brahms played his String Sextet in B-flat for her. He told her that if she wanted to improve as a pianist, “You must walk constantly in the forest.”

Brahms and Clara

It was in an October 15, 1868 letter to Clara Schumann that Brahms expressed himself on life’s “wild polyphony.” He finished the sentence by telling her that “a good woman like you” can bring about an “exquisite resolution of life’s discords.” A tour of their letters reveals that Clara was much more than “a good woman,” she was his muse, his soulmate, the love of his life; she never remarried after Robert Schumann’s death in 1856 although she and Brahms once seriously considered it. She died of a stroke in May 1896, and Brahms, who never married, died less than a year later. Speaking to friends after her funeral, he said, “I have buried today the only person whom I truly loved.”

A detailed firsthand account of Brahms at Clara’s funeral can be found in Heinz von Beckerath’s contribution to Brahms and His World. He remembers the composer gazing quietly for some time at the beautiful view in the park of the Hagerhof before saying, “Now I have nothing more to lose.”

Brahms

in Indiana

The Indianapolis Symphony plans a late October performance of Brahms’s “triumphant” Symphony No. 1 as part of a program titled “Brahms and the American Spirit,” featuring the “immortal words” of President John F. Kennedy and poet Robert Frost in a new work titled JFK: The Last Speech. As fond as I am of the state I grew up in, it’s hard to think of Indiana and the American Spirit these days without reference to the recent ACLU suit over the state’s ban on health care for transgender youth, along with its position on the wrong side of gun violence and the banning of abortion, not to mention the prominence of its former governor’s name in the January 6 insurrection when shouts of “Hang Mike Pence” were heard round the world.

Although Brahms had some lucrative offers, he never visited America; it’s said that he had a “fear of sea travel.” Even so, the Indianapolis tribute makes a bookend to his appearance in name only when the New York Times greeted the 1855 premiere of his first piano trio as the work of an unknown 21-year-old with “many good points and much sound musicianship” along with “the defects of a young writer.”

—Stuart Mitchner

still and know (for piano trio) — Carlos Simon Pisachi (Reveal) — Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 57 — Dmitri Shostakovich

Performing Arts

performers

Dryden Ensemble’s “Swan

Songs”

At Princeton Theological Seminary

The Dryden Ensemble presents “Swan Songs” on Sunday, April 16 at 3 p.m. at Seminary Chapel, located on the campus of the Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street.

This concert celebrates nearly 29 years of creative programming by the ensemble’s artistic director, Jane McKinley. Designed as a theatrical entertainment, the program is divided into two acts: French and English, reflecting two of the ensemble’s passions. Actors Roberta Maxwell and Paul Hecht will offer dramatic readings from 17th-century letters and diaries by Élisabeth Charlotte (sister-inlaw to Louis XIV), courtier Saint-Simon, Moliére, Samuel Pepys, John Evelyn, Mary Burwell, and others.

Soprano Julianne Baird will sing airs by Lully and Purcell, and a Baroque band of oboes, bassoon, strings, lute, and harpsichord will play music from John Dryden’s lifetime. Featured composers are Lully, Louis and François Couperin, Purcell, and others. Grand movements from Lully’s opera Armide and Purcell’s Fairy Queen will open and close each half.

The Dryden Ensemble plans to continue performing small chamber music concerts, which they hope to present free to the public if they can raise sufficient funding. McKinley was recently awarded a 2023 Poetry Fellowship by the State of New Jersey and intends to devote more time to writing.

The Dryden Ensemble,

specializes in performing music of the 17th and 18th centuries on period instruments, includes McKinley and Julie Brye, oboes; Benjamin Matus, bassoon; Edmond Chan and Nancy Wilson, violins; Amy Leonard, viola; Lisa Terry, cello; Daniel Swenberg, lute and theorbo: and Webb Wiggins, harpsichord.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $40 for patrons, and free for students with an ID. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at drydensemble.org.

Princeton Youth Ballet

Presents “Cinderella”

Princeton Youth Ballet (PYB) will present the comedic fairytale ballet Cinderella on Saturday, May 6 at 4 p.m., and Sunday, May 7 at 12 and 4 p.m. at Princeton High School Performing Arts Center, 16 Walnut Lane.

The company’s cast of more than 60 perform in this work, originally choreographed by artistic director emeritus, Risa Kaplowitz, and adapted by current artistic director, Talin Kenar.

Projection backdrops created by Raymond DeVoe depict Cinderella’s cottage, an ornate ballroom, and an enchanted garden where, with the help of her fairy godmother, she discovers the strength of her inner beauty. The title role will be danced by Madison Carrión, a senior at North Brunswick Township High School. The role of the Prince will be danced by Alastair Donofrio, a junior at Hopewell Valley Central High School.

Founded in 2005 by Susan Jaffe and Kaplowitz, PYB’s

Emerson String Quartet Makes Last Visit to Princeton

On Thursday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m., The Emerson String Quartet will return to Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium one last time, performing a program of Shostakovich, Princeton native Sarah Kirkland Snider, and Mendelssohn. Their protégés, the Calidore String Quartet, will join them for an encore performance of Mendelssohn’s string octet. The appearance is part of the ensemble’s final tour of their 47-year career. Snider’s new work was commissioned as a celebration of this quartet’s years of playing together. She was born and raised in Princeton, where she lives now with

her husband, composer and Princeton University Music Department faculty member Steve Mackey, and their two children. Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 15 in E-flat Minor, Op. 144 is the composer’s final string quartet, a reflection on the Emerson Quartet’s final performances. Mendelssohn’s String Octet, a famously life-affirming and celebratory work, will be performed together with the Calidore String Quartet, in a sendoff and a bow to the next generation.

“We cannot wait for this momentous, though bittersweet, celebration. The Emerson String Quartet has left an indelible mark on our community through

their many years of performing in Princeton, and on the classical music community more generally,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer. “On Thursday, April 27, we will see them pass the baton to the next generation as we close our 129th Concert Classics series, both marking a historic moment and looking to the future.”

Full-priced tickets are sold out. Turned-back and obstructed view seats may be available. Call (609) 2582800 for more information.

Continued on Next Page

www.towntopics.com

mission is to provide professional-level performance opportunities to talented young dancers. “PYB provides an enriching professional environment for aspiring young dancers to develop artistry and technique,” said Kenar. “Typically, in regular ballet classes, students study in groups separated by age and level. During PYB rehearsals, the entire cast works together — 8-year-olds are called to group rehearsals with our most advanced dancers. The more experienced dancers become inspirational examples for the youngest dancers.”

Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door) and are on sale now at princetonyouthballet.org. This familyfriendly performance is suitable for audience members 4 years of age and up.

FRENCH AND ENGLISH: Soprano Julianne Baird is among the

at a concert by The Dryden Ensemble reflecting two of the ensemble’s passions, in two languages. which

A NEW GENERATION: The Emerson String Quartet’s farewell tour includes a return to Princeton and features their proteges, the Calidore String Quartet. The Emerson ensemble is shown above; the Calidore below.

launching a unique model to use the film as a teaching tool to help professionals in the autism field to better understand the personal impact autism has on families, and help them better serve those families. Fiske has authored numerous peerreviewed articles and is the author of the book, Autism and the Family: Understanding and Supporting Parents and Siblings.

“CAPSULES”: Princeton native and 2015 Hopewell Valley Central High School graduate Luke Momo co-wrote, produced, edited, and directed a new science fiction film, now available to watch on demand on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and more.

Local Filmmaker Produces Directs, Sells First Feature

Was the next cult classic science fi ction fi lm made in Princeton? Capsules, made by Luke Momo (son of the owner of the Terra Momo Restaurant Group), is starting to make waves. The film was purchased by the Oscarnominated distribution company Good Deed Entertainment | Cranked Up Films and is now available to watch on demand on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and more.

Capsules won the Best Feature Film Award at the Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival. It was also selected for the Garden State Film Festival, and was nominated for the Kevin Smith Home Grown Feature Award (New Jersey).

Capsules is a coming of age story in which, after experimenting with mysterious substances, four chemistry students find themselves addicted in the worst way possible: they’ll die unless they take more. The characters

are forced to face their own mortality while navigating increasingly challenging moral dilemmas.

Momo said the film was designed to be as inexpensive as possible to produce. There were only eight main contributors to the film: the four lead cast members, the director, cameraman, sound recordists, and makeup and hair. During the time of filming, each of the key members of the production was under 25 years old.

Film Screens Locally For Autism Awareness

LAC PRODUCTIONS presents the New Jersey premiere of Love and Communication, an award-winning new film about the personal cost of autism, on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street.

Written and directed by Princeton playwright James Christy Jr., Love and Communication follows the journey of parents desperate to find the right treatment for their son, only to find their efforts putting their

marriage at risk. Love and Communication opened as a play at Passage Theatre in Trenton in 2010. The production won the Brown Martin Barrymore Award.

It was the response of parents of other children with special needs that convinced Christy to turn the play into a film. “So many parents told me they just had never seen a story that shows what it’s really like for parents,” he said. Word of mouth within the tight-knit autism community spread quickly and carried over to mainstream audiences, leading to sold out shows in the fi nal week.

Featuring Lev Gorn ( The Americans ), the film version of Love and Communication has now screened at festivals throughout the world, winning an Audience Award and Indie Spirit award from a sold-out East Coast premiere at the New Hope Film Festival.

The Princeton screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and autism expert Dr. Kate Fiske. Christy and Fiske are

Pr a k a sh J h a

Christy is a playwright, novelist, and filmmaker based in Princeton. His solo show Not Right Now had sold-out runs in New York City and at Pig Iron Theatre in Philadelphia. His previous Philly Fringe show, A Great War, about a German-Jewish soldier in World War I, was nominated for Best New Play by the Barrymore Awards in 2016. His comedy about why people have children, The Forever Question, won the B-Street Comedy festival in 2019, and is being produced by Eagles Mere arts center in July 2023. Visit loveandcommunication.com for more information.

PAT AND

PARTNER:

Singer Pat Benatar and songwriter Neil Giraldo, longtime collaborators, come to State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on April 16. (Photo by Travis Shinn)

Pat

Perform at State Theatre

State Theatre New Jersey presents Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on Sunday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. The opening act is Charlie Farren, best known as the lead singer of The Joe Perry Project. Tickets range from $69-$369.

Benatar and Giraldo are known for rock hits including “We Belong,” “Invincible,” “Love Is A Battlefield,” “Promises In The Dark,” “We

Live For Love,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Hell Is For Children.” Together, they have created two multi-platinum, five platinum, and three gold albums, as well as 19 Top 40 hits. They have sold over 36 million records worldwide and have won four consecutive Grammy Awards, among other honors.

In the early 1980s, Farren was lead singer of The Joe Perry Project, teaming up with Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry and releasing an album on Columbia Records. He wrote the Billboard charting classics “Listen To The Rock” and “East Coast, West Coast,” and co-wrote four songs with Perry including the hit “I’ve Got The Rock ‘N’ Rolls Again.” The Joe Perry Project toured around the world with artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Rush, Heart, ZZ Top, and Alice Cooper.

The State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. For tickets, v isit STNJ.org.

J. EDWARD FARNUM LECTURE

Filmmaker

Benatar, Neil Giraldo

well loved and well read since 1946

EN FRANCAIS: The movie “Gagarine” is among the offerings at the French Film Festival, open to the public at Princeton University.

French Films Screened At Upcoming Festival

The Princeton French Film Festival is being held April 16-28 at locations on the campus of Princeton University. Organized in collaboration with local and international schools and organizations including Albertine Cinematheque and Institut Francais Cinema, the festival presents awardwinning and emerging directors from several Frenchspeaking countries.

All films will be screened on the Princeton University campus in the original language with English subtitles. Screenings are free and open to the public. Registration is required at ffs@ princeton.edu.

First, on April 16 at 6:30 p.m., is Animal , being screened at McCosh Hall 10. A discussion and Q&A with a team from Share My Meals will follow. On April 19 at 6:30 p.m., Gagarine

is shown at Betts Auditorium N101 Architecture building. It is followed by a discussion with Chayma Drira of New York University and Villa Albertine, and Professor Steve Puig of St. John’s University. Happening (L’evenement) follows on April 23 at 6:30 p.m., at McCosh Hall 10. Viewer discretion is advised on this film described as “graphic and intense.” Graduate students Sophia Millman and Clement Genibredes will lead a discussion after the film. Next, on April 26 at 7 p.m. in Betts Auditorium N101 is Lingui, The Sacred Bonds (Lingui, les liens cadres ). The final film is Freda on April 28 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a discussion and Q&A with director Gessica Geneus, professor Johnny Laforet, and school director Anne Hoppenot, in the East Pyne building, Room 010.

For more information, visit ffs@princeton.edu.

“Legally Blonde — The Musical”

Comes to State Theatre NJ State Theatre New Jersey presents Legally Blonde — The Musical on Friday, April 28 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 29 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $40-$98.

Based on the iconic movie, Legally Blonde — The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves, contrary to dated bias, that you can be both blonde and the smartest person in the room.

Woods’ life is turned upside down when her boyfriend dumps her so he can start getting more “serious” about his life and attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her brain and ingenuity to also get admitted to Harvard. School begins with

endless struggles, but with the help of her new friends, Elle quickly realizes her potential, and her strengths, as she sets out to change the narrative.

The State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue. For tickets, visit STNJ.org.

Music for Piano By Black Composers

The monthly series Westminster Conservatory at Nassau will present faculty pianist Clipper Erickson in a recital of music by African American composers on April 20 at 12:15 p.m. in the Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street. The event is free and open to the public; masking is optional.

The program includes Nathaniel Dett’s suite In the

Bottoms , as well as the Sonata in E Minor by Florence Price.

Erickson made his debut at age 19 as soloist with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra. Having studied at The Juilliard School, Yale University and Indiana University, he has trained with John Ogdon and Alexander Fiorillo.

Erickson has won top prizes at the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition and The William Kapell International Piano Competition and Festival. He is active in premiering and recording new works, most recently the Sonata 10 – Aleppo by Zurich-based composer Laurie Altman. His latest album, Tableau, Tempest and Tango , features the piano sonatas of Russian émigré David Finko

The Lorelei Ensemble Performs at Institute

On Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m., the Edward T. Cone Concert at Wolfensohn Hall, Institute for Advanced Study, will present the Lorelei Ensemble.

The group of nine women champions the flexibility and virtuosity of the human voice. Led by founder and artistic director Beth Willer, the ensemble curates culturally relevant and artistically bold programs designed to stretch and challenge the expectations of artists and audiences alike.

The concert is curated by David Lang, artist-in-residence at the Institute. Visit ias.edu for ticket information.

ELLE WOODS, TO MUSIC: New Jersey resident Hannah Bonnet starts as the Harvard Law School student in “Legally Blonde — The Musical,” at State Theatre New Jersey April 28-30.

and Temple University composer emeritus Richard Brodhead.

“Passion Fusion” at Dupree Gallery in Lambertville

“WAITING”: Danielle Picard won the Best Creativity Award for her body of work at the 30th annual juried “Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition,” on view through April 21 at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.

Award Winners Recognized

At Phillips’ Mill Exhibition Awards were conferred at the artists’ opening of the 30th annual juried “Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition” on April 1.

Fine art photographer, educator and author Jill Enfield juried the winning images this year from over 1,200 submissions received from as far away as Rome, Italy. Of those submissions from 262 artists, 138 images were accepted and 11 awards presented.

Dennis Maida of Lincoln Park received the Best of Show award for Houses of the Holy, his photograph depicting a solitary house on

a hill enveloped by a halo of abundant stars.

Doylestown, Pa., resident

Diane Levell was awarded Best Body of Work for her “Brandywine” series that draws inspiration from the work of Andrew Wyeth and the lush surroundings of the Brandywine Valley.

Ursula Ferrara’s Morning Summer from her series

“The Witch Pot” received the Portrait Award. Ferrara is an Italian photographer, painter, and animation film director who submitted her work from Rome.

Best Creativity was awarded to Danielle Picard, director of visual arts and design at George School, for her

body of work. Picard’s images from her most recent collection intrigue the viewer with their ethereal composition and technique.

Lynne Kerr of Flemington’s Phlox of Cows was granted a Patrons’ Award for her image of a bovine’s unflappable glance amidst a field of flowers. In her first year as a member of the Mill Photo Committee, Kerr’s photographs are noted for their elegance and whimsical sense of humor. Patrons’ Awards were also bestowed on Princeton Photography Club Board Member Ginny Veltre for her intricately detailed Under the Bridge and Philadelphia area resident Bob Debski for his mesmerizing seascape Spectre.

Other award winners include Hemingway’s Typewriter by Lisa Stolzer, an educator at the Princeton Montessori School which took Second Place and conjures a nostalgic mood with its sepia tones and wistful depiction of the writer’s tool of the trade. Bucks County’s Linda McManus earned Third Place for her Road to Farmhouse, which captures a snowscape of a tree-lined trail which appears to expand into infinity.

The Landscape Award was presented to Geoffrey Agrons of New Hope, Pa., for his Forest, a striking depiction of nature’s glory. The Spencer Saunders Award for Architecture was presented to Ken Konchel of St. Louis, Mo., for his collection including Arrangement, Beam, Facets, Concentricity, Serration, and Flow.

The annual “Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition” is on view at Phillips’ Mill, 2619 River Road in New Hope, Pa., through April 21 with gallery hours Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. and extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 8 p.m. All works are for sale at the exhibition. For more information, visit phillipsmill.org.

The Dupree Gallery in Lambertville is hosting an exhibition, “Passion Fusion,” on view from Friday to Sunday each weekend through May 28. The artwork on display features works by gallery owner James E. Dupree alongside fiber artist Arturo Alonzo Sandoval.

Dupree Gallery is a Blackowned business founded by Philadelphia-based artist Dupree and has locations in both Philadelphia and Lambertville.

Large-scale woven art quilts from Sandoval’s series Pattern Fusion will be hung parallel to work from Dupree’s series Stolen Dreams Forbidden Fruit . The exhibition’s title, “Passion Fusion,” is not only a nod to Sandoval’s acclaimed series, but also illustrates Dupree and Sandoval’s longstanding friendship of 20 years, and the commitment they share for their life’s passion, creating art.

“We have this mutual spirit for how we make art, how we put our compositions together, as well as the materials that we’re using,” said Dupree. “He was using holographic surfaces in his fiber art as soon as it was marketable in plastics. I’m excited about the light, the surface, and the use of the materials from Arturo Alonzo Sandoval’s mixed media pieces, and how it relates to my work.”

The Dupree Gallery is located at 10 North Union Street in Lambertville and 703 South 6th Street in

Philadelphia. The Gallery is open Friday through Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m., and by appointment. For more information, call (640) 2038356, visit jamesdupreeart. com, or email DupreeGallery@gmail.com.

“Alan Goldstein: Elemental”

At Michener Art Museum

The Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., presents “Alan Goldstein: Elemental ,” featuring 24 works spanning four decades by Bucks County, Pa., artist Alan Goldstein, on view April 15 through September 24.

In his extensive body of work, Goldstein explores nature, human identity, and cycles of growth and decay in his large abstract paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The human figure is of central importance to the artist, who probes aspects of the human psyche and anatomy, and presents the landscape as an extension of the self.

Other abstract works by Goldstein were conceived in response to world events, climate change, and his personal battle with cancer. The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2011, in particular, had a profound effect on the artist and he painted monumental works in response, several of which are on view in the exhibition. These works are haunted by a ghostly presence with the hope to elicit a “visceral reaction” from the viewer.

Laura Turner Igoe, Michener’s chief curator, says:

“Goldstein’s work invites us to find beauty and emotional power in unexpected places. We are excited to share his work with a wider public.” Goldstein was raised in the Bronx in New York City and developed an interest in art at a young age. He attended the High School of Music and Art (now Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School) in New York, then studied architectural design at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. He shifted to sculpture and painting and transferred to the Philadelphia College of Art (now University of the Arts). Goldstein received an MFA from the Pratt Institute in 1970. His work is represented in over 70 private collections in the U.S. and abroad. A Bucks County resident since the 1970s, he taught painting and drawing at Bucks County Community College for over three decades. He became professor emeritus in 2003.

Related programs include

Gallery Talk: Alan Goldstein on Friday, April 28 at 2 p.m., featuring a discussion with the artist and Igoe as they dive into his work featured in the exhibition; and

Studio Tour: Alan Goldstein is on Wednesday, June 7 at 2 p.m.

The Michener Art Museum is at 138 South Pine Street in Doylestown, Pa. For more information, visit michenerartmuseum.org.

Think Global Buy Local

ART AT DUPREE GALLERY: The Dupree Gallery in Lambertville now presents “Passion Fusion,” featuring works by gallery owner James E. Dupree and fiber artist Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, on view each weekend through May 28.

“UPRIVER FROM LUMBERVILLE WALKING BRIDGE II”: This oil on canvas painting is part of “Alan Goldstein: Elemental,” on view at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., April 15 through September 24. A Gallery Talk is on April 28 at 2 p.m.

PICTURING NATURE: “The Lake,” by Pernilla Burke, was among the entries in the 2022 Friends of Princeton Open Space Photo Contest. The deadline to submit for this year’s contest is April 22.

Deadline is Approaching for Annual Photo Competition

The deadline to submit photos for the Friends of Princeton Open Space’s (FOPOS) annual photo contest is midnight on Saturday, April 22.

FOPOS has made several changes to the contest rules designed to encourage people to spend more time outdoors capturing photos of nature in Princeton. The geographic range of the contest area has been extended to include the entire Greater Mountain Lakes Recreation Area, which is comprised of the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, Mountain Lakes North/ Coventry Farm Park, Community Park North, John Witherspoon Woods, Tusculum, and the boardwalk at Coventry Farm

Photos for submission can be taken at any time of year during the past three years as long as they have not been submitted in a previous FOPOS photo contest.

Prizes are donated by

sponsors at REI Princeton. Twenty photos from the submissions will be selected for FOPOS’ annual photo exhibition in late 2023. For more information and submission details, visit photos@fopos. org.

Works by Schwartz, Blum

At Gallery 14 in Hopewell Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography in Hopewell presents a double member exhibit in which each artist takes a special look at memories. Featuring the work of Martin Schwartz and Joel Blum, it opens on April 15 and runs through May 7. A meet the artists event is on Sunday, April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the gallery.

Schwartz is the longest member of Gallery 14, and also happens to be its oldest member. With this exhibit he proves that “an old dog can learn new tricks.”

“Some Old and Some New” is partly retrospective and some new work. The older images are from his files of photos that have accumulated over the

years. They have been given a new life, with modern enhancements, to give them a new and different artistic look. The new photos were taken over the past couple of years and have been processed using new treatments to create dynamic and colorful images. Since no two photos have been given the same treatment purposely, the images demonstrate the capabilities of digital software and how it can be used to alter photographs.

In his “Italian Light” exhibition, Blum allows us to join him as he remembers his journey from Milan to Venice, Italy. It is a photographic memoir of his trip across northern Italy. “We landed in Milan and traveled across the Dolomites and ended the trip in Venice,” said Blum. “Romance, beauty, and adventure were constantly around us.” Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography is a co-op gallery located at 14 Mercer Street in Hopewell. It is open on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit gallery14.org.

Area Exhibits

Art@Bainbridge, 158 Nassau Street, has “Cycle of Creativity: Allison Saar and the Toni Morrison Papers” through July 9. artmuseum. princeton.edu.

Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Outside — Inside” through April 30. A reception is on April 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. lambertvillearts.com.

Art on Hulfish, 11 Hulfish Street, has “You Belong Here: Place, People, and Purpose in Latinx Photography” through May 7. artmuseum.princeton.edu.

Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Train of Thoughts” through April 15 and “Inspired by Optimism” through May 6. artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton, has “The Women’s Caucus for Art” and “Metal Lucidity” through April 15. artworkstrenton.org

David Scott Gallery at BHHS Fox & Roach, Realtors, 253 Nassau Street, has works by Léni PaquetMorante through April 16. A closing reception and artist talk are on Sunday, April 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. davidscottfineart@gmail.com.

D&R Greenway Land Trust Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place, has “Land, Light, Spirit” through April 21 in the Marie L. Matthews Gallery. drgreenway.org.

Ellarslie, Trenton’s City Museum in Cadwalader Park, Parkside Avenue, has “Trustees Collecting” through April 15. ellarslie. org.

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, has Martin Schwartz’s “Some Old Some New” and Joel Blum’s “Italian Light” April 15 through May 7. A meet and greet with the artists is on Sunday, April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. gallery14.org.

Gourgaud Gallery, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, has “Four Seasons” through April 26. cranburyartscouncil.org.

Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, has “That’s Worth Celebrating: The Life and Work of the Johnson Family” through the end of 2024, among other exhibits. Timed tickets required. groundsforsculpture.org.

Historical Society of Princeton, Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, has “Einstein Salon and Innovator’s Gallery,” “Princeton’s Portrait,” and other exhibits. Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m., Thursday to 7 p.m. princetonhistory.org

Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “Alan Goldstein: Elemental” April 15 through September 4, “Walé Oyéjidé: Flight of the Dreamer” through April 23, and “Mid-Century to Manga: The Modern Japanese Print in America” through July 30. michenerartmuseum.org

Milberg Gallery, Princeton University Library, has “Toni Morrison: Sites of

Memory” through June 4. library.princeton.edu.

Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, has the online exhibits “Slavery at Morven,” “Portrait of Place: Paintings, Drawings, and Prints of New Jersey, 1761–1898,” and others. morven.org.

The Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street, has “Christine Seo: Princeton Solo Show” through June 4. christineseo.com.

Phillips’ Mill, 2619 River Road, New Hope, Pa., has “Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition” through April 21. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Friday and Saturday until 8 p.m. phillipsmill.org.

Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has “Coloring the Mind: A Journey Through Neural Pathways” through May 2. Works by Dan Fernandez are at the 254 Nassau Street location through May 2. smallworldcoffee.com.

West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “Member Exhibit: Yesterday Today Tomorrow” through June 3. westwindsorarts.org.

FOR

“DAHLIA”: This work by Martin Schwartz is featured in “Some Old and Some New,” on view April 15 through May 7 at Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography in Hopewell. A reception is on Sunday, April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.

“COMPOSED SHALLOW, THREE LEAVES”: This acrylic on canvas work is featured in “Within View: Paintings and Drawings,” a solo exhibition of 37 works by Léni Paquet-Morante, on view at David Scott Gallery for Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach, 253 Nassau Street, through April 16. A closing reception and artist talk are on Sunday, April 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Town

Mark Your Calendar TOWN

TOPICS

Wednesday, April 12

6 and 9 p.m.: Jazz Vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant performs at Richardson Auditorium. $10 and $40. Puc.princeton.edu.

6:30 p.m.: Preparing Students with Disabilities for College, with specialist Elizabeth Hamblet. In the CoLab Space at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

7-8:30 p.m .: Cirque Us performs “One Man’s Trash: A Repurposed Circus” at Trenton Circus Squad, 675 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton. TheCirqueUs.com.

8-10:30 p.m .: Princeton Country Dancers presents a contra dance at the Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive. Michael Karcher with Princeton Pickup Band. $15. Princetoncountrydancers.org.

Thursday, April 13

10 a.m.: People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos celebrates National Poetry Month at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Reading and discussion in English and Spanish. $10 (free for Morven members). Morven.org.

5:30 p.m.: Artist Conversation with Ali Banisadr on his recent installation “Return to Mother” at Princeton University’s Mathey College. Artmuseum.princeton.edu.

6-8 p.m.: Arthur S. Lefkowitz discusses his book George Washington’s Revenge at the Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barracks Street, Trenton. Free. Followed by a Q&A and book signing. Barracks.org.

6 p.m.: Mercer County Community College Jazz Band plays jazz favorites indoors at Quaker Bridge Mall. Included are songs by Grant Green, Albert King, Irving Berlin, Sergio Mendes, the Gershwin brothers, Otis Redding, Freddie King and others. All selections feature improvisations by MCCC music students. Mccc.edu.

6:45 p.m.: Mercer’s Best Toastmasters Club meets at Lawrence Community Center, 295 Eggerts Crossing Road, Lawrence Township. Free. Mercersbest.toastmastersclubs.org.

8 p.m.: The play the Yees , presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts, is at the Berlind Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place. Mccarter. org.

8:30 p.m.: “Liminality,” dance performance by Princeton University seniors Michael Garcia and Camryn Stafford at the Hearst Dance Theater in the Lewis Arts complex on the campus. Free. Arts.princeton.edu.

Friday, April 14

4:30 p.m.: Fierce Appetites: Lessons from My Year of Untamed Thinking, lecture by author Elizabeth Boyle of Ireland’s Maynooth University, presented by Princeton University’s Fund for Irish Studies at James Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau Street. Free. Arts. princeton.edu.

7 p.m.: “Journey Back to the 80s” by Roxey Ballet, at Mill Ballet, 46 North Sugan Road, New Hope, Pa. Music and dance production with classic hits performed live by the tribute band GruvTyme. Roxeyballet.org.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild holds a rug hooking guild meeting at the administration building, 314 State Highway 12, Flemington. Hcrag.com.

7:30 p.m .: Successfully Speak Up Toastmasters. Hybrid meeting. Princeton Fitness Center, 1225 State Road, Skillman. Contact successfullyspeakup@gmail for Zoom link.

8 p.m The Moth is at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. McCarter.org.

8 p.m.: The play King of the Yees, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts, is at the Berlind Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place. Mccarter.org.

Spring 2023 Anschutz Lecture

Thursday

April 13

Julis Romo Rabinowitz A17 4:30 pm

Talk to Me Talk to Me

A Story of Racial Coup, and Democracy

Capitalism,

A cultural and historical examination of capitalism, democracy, and the Cold War, through the lens of race and the historical gure Daniel Fignolé. A political and oratorical daredevil, Fignole was one of the most charismatic, popular gures in Haiti’s history — and the father of its labor movement. But in June 1957, just weeks into his presidency, Fignolé was ousted in a CIA-backed coup, which brought to power one of the 20th century’s bloodiest dictators.

Rich Benjamin

APRIL

8:30 p.m.: “Liminality,” dance performance by Princeton University seniors Michael Garcia and Camryn Stafford at the Hearst Dance Theater in the Lewis Arts complex on the campus. Free. Arts.princeton.edu.

Saturday, April 15

10-11:30 a.m.: Public meeting on the future of the Tennent/Roberts/Whiteley site at Princeton Theological Seminary, held by the Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development at the Community Room of Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Email Pcrd.info for more information.

10 a.m.: Read and Explore: Composting. At Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Read stories and look at compost materials. Each child makes their own compost container to take home. Register online. Terhuneorchards.com.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Rain Barrel and Composter Sale in conjunction with S.H.R.E.D. Fest at Westminster Choir College parking lot off Franklin Avenue. Open to Princeton residents only. Princetonnj.gov/1386/ Shred-Fest.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Plowing, Harrowing, and Wash Day at Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Help farmers prepare for planting corn. Howellfarm.org.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m .: Springtime Brunch at the 1858 Farmhouse, Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes. Unionvillevineyards.com.

12-6:30 p.m.: The Princeton University Jazz Festival holds free performances on the lawn outside Richardson Auditorium with performers including Rudresh Mahanthappa, Gregory Tardy, Michael Dease, Artemis, Jon Irabagon, and students from the University’s jazz program. Princeton.edu/event/jazzfestival-2023 .

12-5 p.m.: Spring Winery Weekend music series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. With live music from 1-4 p.m. by Charlotte Kendrick and Dan Rowe. Terhuneorchards.com.

2 p.m.: “Breaking News: Freedom Is Ours Now,” talk by Christian Science practitioner Patricia Woodard at First Church of Christ Scientist, 50 Cherry Hill Road. Csprinceton.org.

3 p.m.: Loteria, the Mexican game of chance, at Art on Hulfish, 11 Hulfish Street. Co-sponsored by the Princeton University Art Museum, the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Princeton Human Services. In Spanish and English. Artmuseum. princeton.edu.

6 p.m.: “Journey Back to the 80s” by Roxey Ballet, at Mill Ballet, 46 North Sugan Road, New Hope, Pa. Music and dance production with classic hits performed live by the tribute band GruvTyme. Roxeyballet.org.

6:30 p.m .: Meet the directors and take a tour of The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center of YWCA Princeton, Paul Robeson Place. Learn about summer enrichment programs and year-round child care. Register at ywcaprinceton.org.

7:30 p.m.: Westminster Choir Spring Concert, at Gill Chapel, Rider University, Lawrence Township. James Jordan conducts music from their recent tour along with Morten Lauridsen’s Mid-Winter Songs. Rider.edu/arts.

7:30 p.m.: The Capital Philharmonic, with guitarist David Galvez, performs music of Joaquin Rodrigo, Arturo Marquez, and Jose Pablo Moncayo at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, Trenton. Capitalphilharmonic.org.

8 p.m.: Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra, at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. McCarter.org.

8 p.m .: Rufus Reid and the Creative Large Ensemble perform at Richardson Auditorium, as part of the Princeton University Jazz Festival. Music.princeton.edu/event/jazz-festival-2023.

8 p.m.: The play King of the Yees , presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts, is at the Berlind Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place. Mccarter. org.

8 p.m .: Central Jersey Dance Society presents the No Name Dance at Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive. Preceded by Night Club 2-Step lesson at 7 p.m. No partner needed. $10-$15. Centraljerseydance.org.

8:30 p.m.: “Liminality,” dance performance by Princeton University seniors Michael Garcia and Camryn Stafford at the Hearst Dance Theater in the Lewis Arts complex on the campus. Free. Arts.princeton.edu.

Sunday, April 16

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Courthouse Quilters Guild meets at Hunterdon County Complex, 314 State Route 12, Flemington to make pillowcases for Ryan’s Case for Smiles, helping children with cancer and other lifechanging illnesses to feel better. A guild anniversary celebration follows at 6:30 p.m. Courthousequilters. org.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m .: Springtime Brunch at the 1858 Farmhouse, Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes. Unionvillevineyards.com.

12-5 p.m.: Spring Winery Weekend music series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. With live music from 1-4 p.m. by Kara and Corey. Terhuneorchards. com.

1 p.m .: Free carillon concert at Cleveland Tower on the Princeton University graduate campus; listen from outside the tower. University Carillonneur Lisa Lonie and guest artists perform.

2 p.m.: “Journey Back to the 80s” by Roxey Ballet, at Mill Ballet, 46 North Sugan Road, New Hope, Pa. Music and dance production with classic hits performed live by the tribute band GruvTyme. Roxeyballet.org.

3 p.m.: The Dryden Ensemble presents “Swan Songs” at Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel, 64 Mercer Street. $25-$40 (free for students with ID). Drydensemble.org.

3 p.m .: “National Geographic LIVE: Life on the Vertical with Mark Synnott,” at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. McCarter. org.

3 p.m .: The Concordia Chamber Players perform at Trinity Church, 6587 Upper York Road, Solebury, Pa. $35. “The Telling is in the Music.” Concordiaplayers. org.

7:30 p.m .: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo perform at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. $69-$369. STNJ.org.

Monday, April 17

1-3 p.m.: The Women’s College Club of Princeton meets at Morven Education Center, 55 Stockton Street, to hear Kathleen Biggins, president/founder of CChange Conversations, talk about climate change. Free and open to the public. WCCPNJ.org.

4:30 p.m .: Chanika Svetvilas presents an artist talk, “Just Me: An Asian American on Mental Health and Disability,” at the Julis Romo Rabinowitz building, Room A17, Princeton University. Hybrid event; streamed on YouTube. Effroncenter.princeton.edu.

Tuesday, April 18

6:30 p.m.: Mercer County Community College Jazz Band plays jazz favorites at the Lawrence branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Included are songs by Grant Green, Albert King, Irving Berlin, Sergio Mendes, the Gershwin brothers, Otis Redding, Freddie King and others. All selections feature improvisations by MCCC music students. Mccc.edu.

7:30-10 a.m .: Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum on “Uncomfortable Conversations: Trans and Non-Binary Identities in the Workplace,” at Mountain View Golf Course, 850 Bear Tavern Road, Ewing. The facilitator is Kristopher Oliveira, assistant dean of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Princeton University. Princetonmercer.org.

Wednesday, April 19 6 p.m.: Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees meeting, in the Community Room unless otherwise noted. 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

Anschutz Distinguished Fellow

Photos: New York International Airport by William J. Armstrona, Collection of J.F. Ciesla; Daniel Fignolé by Robert W. Kelley / Life Magazine; Rich Benjamin by Sharon Schuster

e roncenter.princeton.edu/anschutz-lecture

Iron Core Bootcamp in Rocky Hill Has Challenging Workouts at All Levels

Exercise is the foundation of youth!”

“And furthermore, it is never too late!”

These beliefs are integral to the operation of Iron Core Bootcamp, which Alex Obe opened in 2022.

Working hard, meeting challenges head on, and overcoming adversity are all part of his mindset, and he needed all of his stamina and determination to deal with what lay ahead for his new fitness center.

IT’S NEW To Us

Obe had owned P.T.S. (Personal Training Studio) Health & Fitness Center on State Road for 13 years when he decided to sell it in 2019.

“I felt it was time for a change,” he explains. “I did want to continue in the fitness field, but just in a different direction.”

Previous History

His previous history laid the foundation for a willingness to change and look for new adventures. After graduating from Bucknell University, he entered the corporate world, working at Price Waterhouse and IBM for more than four years. Then he realized he wanted to change direction.

“I always knew that eventually I would like to have my own business, and I was always interested in fitness,” he says. “It just always made

sense to me. In college, I had a job in the weight room, and I was able to work out.”

After completing the challenging course of instruction, and earning national certification as a personal trainer, he worked at New York Sports Clubs for three and a half years before purchasing P.T.S.

After deciding to open Iron Core Bootcamp, he needed to find the right location, which took some time. Finally, he decided on the building at 200 Washington Street in Rocky Hill, the former studio location of pottery designer John Shedd.

“The building is 300 years old, and has a remarkable history,” says Obe. “Originally a grist mill, its second owner was John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.”

Of course, it needed extensive renovation, and no sooner did that get underway when the advent of COVID-19 delayed the opening. To make things even worse, the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused tremendous flooding to the building, ruining many of the machines and equipment.

Challenging Times

“These were very challenging times,” reports Obe, “but many friends came to help, and eventually we were able to get going.”

Iron Core Bootcamp differs from other fitness centers in a number of ways. For example, it includes specific classes and personal training sessions only.

Also, he points out, “There is a misconception that the name ‘Iron Core’ refers to a hardcore workout or the like, but it actually refers to strengthening the core of the individual. Virtually all of our classes have specific times dedicated to strengthening the trunk of the body in order to give our clients cores that feel like iron!”

And, he adds, “It is never too late. Older clients in their seventies or even older can continue to gain strength.”

Creating a pleasing environment was another important goal for Obe. “Due to our studio-style setting, Iron Core Immediately creates a more welcoming atmosphere than some of the ‘mega’ facilities out there. A towel service with personal showers makes this a place that you can come to before and after work.

“We offer a free first class with the promo code ‘Sweat For Free.’ We want people to get a good idea of what they can achieve here.

“We also don’t lock our clients into contracts or memberships. Instead we offer single classes and personal training sessions, five and 10-pack classes, and single and 10-pack personal training packages.”

Workouts and Challenges

The opportunities at Iron Core are for those who want a rigorous workout and challenge, and also for beginners who prefer to start with something less demanding.

“Our workouts are designed to be scaled so that beginning and advanced exercisers can take the same class, and both be appropriately challenged,” explains Obe. “We have introduced a new class on Tuesday and Thursday, Bootcamp Basics, that mixes Pilates reformerstyle exercise with cardio, strength, and core into a great workout that anyone can do. There are no kettlebell weights used in the class, and no jumping exercises, so there is less overall impact.”

Other classes include a circuit-style workout, with spinning bikes, boxing, rowing, treadmill, and weights.

“Their focus is HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training),” says Obe. “It’s a vigorous workout, but for beginners or people who haven’t been working out for a while, we bring it down a notch.”

When first starting an exercise program, it is always advisable to have a doctor’s approval, he adds.

One-on-One

Iron Core’s personal training programs are very flexible. “Working one-on-one with a personal trainer is a great way to keep motivated,” he reports. “Our PT sessions are very individualized, depending on the client’s condition, goals, etc. They also include weights, cardio, stretching, and more. Also, if someone hasn’t tried boxing before, it can be fun to see if they like it.”

Some people take the classes only, some focus on personal training, and some do both, he says.” We also have clients who use us as their main facility and others who mix and match us with other fitness centers in town.”

Another program offers a four-week custom challenge package, which includes two training sessions, two classes, weekly weigh-ins, and pre- and post-body analysis. “This is a way to fast-track our clients into getting in shape for summer.

“We also have another very popular new class, BFLD, (Big Frick’n Lift Day) on Tuesday and Saturday. This focuses on strength only, with weight lifting only, and no cardio built into the workouts.”

In addition to Obe, who is a personal trainer and also teaches the classes, all the

trainers are experienced experts in the fitness field. All have first aid training.

Clients vary in age, from 30 to mid-70s, and come from Princeton and all over the area. Some focus on the classes, others work out with a personal trainer, and some do both. Many come two and three times a week or more. Classes are 45 minutes and personal training one hour.

Variety of Motivations

Clients have a variety of motivations, points out Obe. “These days, I feel that everyone is aware of the benefits of exercising. However we are all under so much more stress than ever before that it seems harder to put it in practice. Despite the pandemic being ‘over,’ the damage it caused is far from done. Long-term illness, habits broken for many, resulting in weight gain and a lessened desire to ‘start all over again’ are prevalent.”

He is encouraged, however, that people are returning, and new clients are not only trying out the programs, but continuing to come back. “I think that being able to come to the gym again after having to stay home during COVID is helping people,” he says. “They enjoy being back.”

Iron Core is a “pay as you go” operation. Single classes are $17. And although the center does not have membership programs, the five and 10 packages offer savings.

Personal Attention

Encouraging clients to do their best is Alex Obe’s priority. As he says, “I love working with people and helping them realize that they are often more capable than they realize. When clients step out of their comfort zone and exceed their expectations, it is a truly rewarding feeling.

“Also, I’m always surprised at how different gadgets or

diets can become the ‘flavor of the day’ but in the end, it’s good old-fashioned diet and exercise that makes the difference. There are constant improvements being made to fitness hardware, but many really don’t make that much difference. However, after being flooded by Hurricane Ida, I was forced to acquire new spin bikes because my old ones were damaged in the flood. I upgraded to magnetic friction bikes, and I’ll never go back. The ride is smooth, even, and quiet.”

He adds that many clients have become friends over the years. “I think the fact that we offer lots of personal attention and a friendly atmosphere appeals to people. It is not intimidating here. We have clients who are skinny, others who are overweight. All shapes and sizes.

“We know people’s names. We greet everyone and ask how their dog is. We can be therapists too. Someone may have had a bad day, and we say, ‘do another rep!’”

“Keep moving” is the idea, and as he continues, “We keep our programs interesting and fresh, focusing on positive energy. This will help a client’s mental outlook too and their overall well-being. There are just so many benefits.

“I am also really excited about future plans that will not only expand our current offerings but will bring our products to others outside of our immediate area.”

Classes are available Monday through Thursday at 5:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m.; Friday 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Personal training is offered Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For further information, call (609) 297-7389. Website: ironcorebootcamp.com

— Jean Stratton

FITNESS FOCUS: “Our personal training options are perfect for those looking to have a workout tailored to their individual needs and goals. Our training sessions are far from cookie-cutter. Whether gaining muscle and increasing stamina or preparing for their first mud run, our clients will find the right class or personal training session to help them achieve their goals.” Alex Obe, owner of Iron Core Bootcamp, looks forward to helping all his clients reach their potential.

1st class FREE with promo code: TOPICS_SAVE

S ports

With Junior Outfielder Bandura Emerging as a Star, Tiger Baseball Finds Itself in Thick of Ivy Title Race

Scott Bandura would like nothing more than to reach new heights with the Princeton University baseball team.

The Tiger junior is hoping to add an Ivy League championship to the success and memorable experiences he’s had at every level of the game. He came to Princeton after helping the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Pa.) win the competitive InterAc League championship in high school. Before high school, he played for the Taney Dragons in the 2014 Little League World Series (LLWS), catching for instant celebrity Mo’Ne Davis as she became the first girl to win a LLWS game on the mound. Their Taney Dragons team from Philadelphia got a parade, and Bandura traveled with Davis to appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon . It’s an experience that’s since been hard to beat.

“Of that magnitude, probably not,” said Bandura, a Philadelphia native. “But my junior year at Chestnut Hill we won the conference championship and a lot of the guys that were on that team were also on that Little League team. Years later, coming full circle and doing something together again, that was pretty cool. But I think an Ivy championship would come really close to that just because of the lows we saw last year and the work we put in to get where we are now. So an Ivy title would definitely be up there.”

The LLWS run doesn’t feel that long ago to him, but Bandura isn’t asked about his experience too often these days. It’s as though he’s a part of a unique club. When the Tigers played Georgia, Bandura chatted with their first baseman who played on the Pennsylvania team that went to the LLWS the year after him. Against Duke, Bandura ran into some more players from the Connecticut LLWS team.

“It’s definitely unique and a unique experience,” said Bandura. “Not a lot of players get to do that. Of the guys I’ve met and been able to talk to, it’s hard to describe unless you’ve been there. I definitely think it’s a tight knit mutual understanding when you see those guys.”

As a player, Bandura has evolved a lot since his Little League days. He was a catcher for the Taney Dragons and a small ball hitter with aggressive base running. Only the base running remains.

“In high school I hit a huge growth spurt and my sophomore or junior year I moved to the outfield and did all my college recruiting in the outfield,” said Bandura, who now stands 6’4 and weighs 190 pounds. “A lot has definitely changed. I was one of the smallest kids on that Little League team. I could run a little bit so I led off and I bunted for hits all the time. As a player, I’ve definitely changed a lot since then.”

Bandura is a skilled player who has bolstered the Tiger lineup. Decimated by in -

juries — including his own — Princeton won just seven games overall and three in the Ivy League last year. The Tigers still don’t have ideal depth, but they have talent back healthy and it has pushed them to an 11-16 start, 5-4 in the Ivy League.

Last weekend, Princeton split a doubleheader at Penn on Saturday, dropping the first game, 10-5, before winning the second game, 5-0, with Bandura homering in the fourth inning to give Tom Chmielewski all the run support that he needed. He also had a pair of hits Sunday, but the Tigers couldn’t muster enough run support in a 5-2 loss to fall to fourth in the Ivies. He has hit safely in 15 out of his last 16 games.

After a mid-week game against Monmouth scheduled for April 12, head coach Scott Bradley’s squad will return to league play when they host Columbia for a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday as the Tigers continue to prove themselves after a faster start to this season that has them in the thick of the Ivy title race.

“It’s huge,” said Bandura, reflecting on the team’s promising start. “We play our first 17 or so games against some pretty good competition. We were able to get some wins here and there against some good teams, and everyone knows it’s a completely new season once the Ivy League conference games start. To get out to that start and show them we’re here, how we’ve been playing all year is going to translate well in the Ivy League and we’re not the same team that we were last year, and it’s a huge confidence boost. Coach Bradley talked about it when he talked to the team the other day — we’re playing with some confidence and swagger. We walk around the park like we’re the team to beat. That’s honestly been the biggest change from last year with the start we’ve gotten out to this year.”

For Bandura, the season has finally been a chance to prove himself after a challenging stretch. His senior season of high school baseball was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So was his freshman year at Princeton. Then last year, in his first chance to play for the Tigers, he got in eight games before a hamstring injury shut him down for the remainder of the spring.

“It was definitely difficult,” said Bandura. “I missed my senior year of high school and then my freshman year here got canceled. I was able to play over each of those summers, which was big. My freshman spring, we had no games, but we were on campus. We scrimmaged so I was able to get a lot of at bats under my belt that spring and the summer following that. So I felt pretty prepared going into last year and missing that season was hard. But I was able to go get healthy and play this past summer and get ready for this year.”

Bandura has come out swinging in his third year at Princeton. He leads the team and is second in the Ivy League with a .398 batting average after 27 games. He has 11 doubles, five home runs, and a pair of triples. He’s also stolen nine bases to lead the team. He’s driven in 24 runs, second only to power-hitting classmate Kyle Vinci, who has 12 home runs and 30 RBIs to lead the Tigers in both categories.

Eric Marasheski also has 11 doubles and a team-high 15 walks. Nick DiPietrantonio gives the Tigers a third player batting over .300. They set the table for players like Vinci and Bandura.

“He was supposed to be the best player in the league going into last year,” said Bradley of Bandura. “My whole junior class — Vinci, DiPietrantonio, Chmielewski, these guys all came in and there was no baseball the first year they got here. Vinci had about 20 at bats last year and then got hurt. DiPietrantonio was in and out of the lineup while hurt. They’re borderline freshmen for us right now.”

The biggest change for the Tigers is getting them back in the lineup. They were itching to get into the season after so much time away and their presence has certainly made a difference.

“First and foremost is experience,” said Bandura. “Last year, we came in with only three or four guys on the team having played a college baseball game before because we missed the last two seasons. Just having a full year of experience with all the guys on the roster was a huge contributor. After such a tough year last year, we came into the fall with a purpose of doing all the things right that we didn’t do last year. And it’s been paying off so far.”

Princeton has been averaging almost six runs per game. The Tigers rank third in the league in hitting with a .275 average and second in home runs and slugging percentage and were tied with Columbia for the league lead in walks.

“It’s probably one through nine, as deep a lineup as we’ve had,” said Bradley. “We get production at the top and bottom pretty consistently. If we get everyone going on the same day, we have a nice blend of speed and power. It’s balanced. The two freshmen — [Jake] Koonin and [Jake] Bold — are starting to figure it out. They’ve been a little streaky as they’re getting their feet wet in college baseball. But they both have ability. We’re very athletic. We’re physical. We can hit some home runs, we can steal some bases. And 1 through 9, we have the ability to create some offense that we haven’t had in a while.”

With some more timely hitting, and once their pitching and fielding come together, the Tigers could be even better. Princeton is next to last in the Ivies in earned run average and has walked more batters per game than anyone in the league, but Bandura says the team is confident in their staff led by their top two starters — Jackson Emus and Chmielewski —

SEEING PROGRESS: Princeton University baseball star Scott Bandura takes in the action in a game earlier this season. Junior outfielder Bandura has starred this spring as Princeton has gone 11-16 overall and 5-4 Ivy League, a marked improvement on its 2022 campaign when it went 7-33 overall

and relievers Jacob Faulkner and Justin Kim. They are seventh out of eight in fielding percentage.

“ We ’ ve had a pretty good start to the Ivy League season but I ’ m sure every guy on the team would tell you we left a win or two on the table,” said Bandura. “ We need to limit the self-inflicted errors and wounds, walking guys on the mound, putting together better at bats with two outs and runners in scoring position, trying to limit strikeouts in those spots, cleaning up the things we can control mainly with the defense and the walks on the mound and the strikeouts at the plate.”

Princeton is playing far better than a season ago thanks in part to a new commitment in the offseason. They worked to be in better shape to prevent injuries, and to perform up to potential. Princeton ’s disappointment in last season ’s results fueled them through their preparations for this year.

“ As a team, it was being more focused in practice, with everything with the intent of winning games,” said Bandura. “ With the level of experience we had last year, a lot of us just weren ’t sure what it takes to be a winning team. So gearing all of our intent in practice, team lifts and team meetings, stuff like that, all with the focus on winning, I think that was the main thing.”

Bandura hasn ’t appeared to be rusty after having only a handful of college games under his belt before this year. He got off to a good start to the spring and has maintained his play.

“ I was pretty confident,” said Bandura. “My freshman

summer, I played in Washington, D.C., and that was the first college baseball I played. I had a really good summer that season. I ’ ve never lacked confidence. I got off to a slow start last year and I felt like I was starting to find my footing and starting to heat up and that ’s when the injury happened. So I kind of knew that if I stayed healthy and did all the things right and followed my process and plan, that things would start to go right. It was just a matter of being on the field enough for that to start happening. It ’s definitely nice to be out there every day and perform the way it ’ s gone so far.”

Princeton has to stay healthy to continue to strive for the top of the Ivies. Sweeping front-runner Columbia (16-11 overall, 7-2 Ivy) could narrow the gap considerably, and Princeton this year feels like it has the roster to compete better.

“ We have no depth, but to get those guys back is big,” said Bradley. “ We felt like that was a very good recruiting class when they came in, but with COVID and not playing their first year and then injuries, it ’s taken this long before they ’ ve been able to establish themselves. They ’ re all very good. They were all high level recruits. Scott ’s at a different level because of his overall ability to run and steal bases and play defense and all kinds of things. It ’s what we expected they ’ d be able to do, but with COVID and injuries, it ’s just taken some a while for them to get their feet on the ground.”

—Justin Feil

and 3-18 Ivy. In upcoming action, Princeton plays at Monmouth on April 12 and then hosts Columbia for a threegame set with a doubleheader on April 15 and a single game on April 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PU Men’s Lax Renews Historic Rivalry Against Syracuse

But Can’t Overcome Slow Start as it Falls 16-13 to Orange

It was a historic rivalry that captivated the men’s lacrosse world in the 1990s and 2000s.

The matchup between Princeton and Syracuse produced national champions and classic NCAA tournament clashes during that stretch. Either Princeton or Syracuse won the NCAA championship each year from 1992 to 2004 except for two (1999, 2003). From 1992-2003, every Princeton season ended with either an NCAA title or an NCAA tournament loss to Syracuse.

The foes have met in four national title games with the teams each winning two championships as Princeton prevailed in 1992 and 2001 with the Orange winning in 2000 and 2002.

The rivalry, however, has been dormant for 10 years with the team having last met in a regular season contest in 2013.

So when the teams met at Class of 1952 Stadium last Saturday at high noon for the first time since 2013, the renewal of the rivalry drew an overfl ow crowd of 2,535 to witness the spectacle.

For Princeton senior midfielder Jake Stevens, the buzz in the crowd was special.

“It is cool, two historic programs that haven’t seen each other in a while,” said Stevens.

“Look at their staff, a great group of coaches, two Hall of Famers (head coach Gary Gait and assistant coach Dave Pietramala). Our coach (Matt

Madalon) is one of the best in the business, he is great. It was crazy looking up in the stands, I have never seen it like that.”

The Tigers, though, didn’t get off to a great start as they fell behind 5-1 midway through the first period,

“It is tough, all you can do is just try to fight it one play at a time,” said Stevens.

Princeton found a rhythm in the second quarter as it went on a 6-3 run to narrow the Syracuse lead to 10-9 with 2:43 left in the second quarter.

“Lacrosse is a game of runs,” said Stevens, who scored two goals in that stretch. “It is a matter of slowing theirs and keeping yours going.”

The Tigers fought mightily to keep things going but couldn’t get over the hump, making it a 15-13 game late in the third quarter but never scoring after that, losing 1613 as they moved to 4-5.

“It kind of stalled out for whatever reason in the fourth quarter; it happens, that is part of the game,” said Stevens, who ended up with two goals and three ground balls on the day. “We kept trying, we just couldn’t get out of it. That is the way it went.”

As a team co-captain, Stevens is trying his best to keep the Tigers on the same page.

“I have a little bit of a leadership role this year, it has been nice,” said Stevens, a 5’9, 185-pound native of Puslinch, Ontario, who has tallied 13 goals and two assists this season along with 22

ground balls. “I am just trying to help the team win in as many ways as I can.”

With the season heading into its homestretch, there is a sense of urgency for Stevens and his classmates.

“There is a big group of us, our time is very fi nite, there are only two months left and a lot of us are finishing up school stuff,” said Stevens.

“Our goals are still available. Everything is on the table — to make the Ivy tournament, win the Ivy tournament, and make the NCAA tournament. We have our destiny in our hands. We will be going into this week with a little bit of fire. It is all in front of us.”

Princeton head coach Matt Madalon was fired up by the big crowd on hand for the clash against Syracuse.

“It was a really nice atmosphere, it was a beautiful day and a cool place to come watch a game,” said Madalon. “Both schools have huge alumni bases, in and around Manhattan. It was very cool. Obviously, they are a good team. It is exciting for our alumni crew. All of these guys in the 1990s and the early 2000s had such incredible battles against this team. It is always great to see these two teams on the field together.”

Unfortunately for Princeton, its slow start turned the game into an uphill battle.

“You spot anyone 5-1, you are in the box that much, you don’t face-off well, it is going to be a tough game,” lamented Madalon.

ORANGE BOWL: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Jake Stevens, right, battles against Monmouth earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior midfielder Stevens scored two goals but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 16-13 to visiting Syracuse. It marked the first game against the Orange since 2013 as the foes renewed their historic rivalry. Princeton, now 4-5 overall, will look to get back on the winning track as it resumes Ivy League play with a game at Dartmouth on April 15.

With Syracuse building a 15-8 advantage on face-offs in the first half, the Tigers were on their heels for much of the time

“Both of those guys battled, we still have to do some work there,” said Madalon, referring to face-off specialists Koby Ginder (11-for-26 against Syracuse) and Andrew McMeekin (2-for-7).

Despite the struggles on face-offs, Princeton was able to generate plenty of opportunities with 30 shots on goal.

“I thought the offense got a lot of good looks today,” said Madalon. “The Mark (Will Mark) kid in goal for them was great, he made saves when he needed to.”

Madalon credited Stevens and Coulter Mackesy, who had three goals and three assists, with getting the Tiger offense going.

“Jake is always a spark for us, between the lines and around the face-off circle,” said Madalon. “Coulter is kind of like our bona fide guy on offense, a lot goes through him and around him. It is good to see him producing.”

While the Tigers showed some good fight in the second half, it wasn’t enough.

“It was just clean it up and try to be a little more disciplined, that has been the story of the year,” said Madalon, reflecting on his halftime message. “We have had some great quarters and then we foul too much or we are undisciplined in the clears. That was too much to overcome today.”

With Princeton getting back into Ivy play with a game at

Frank

Dartmouth on April 15, Madalon knows his team needs to clean things up to achieve its goals.

“We have to have really sharp, tight practices this week,” said Madalon.

“The Ivy League tournament and an opportunity to win that and play in the NCAA tournament is everything to this program. That is absolutely what our focus shifts to.”

Stevens, for his part, is confident that the squad will be focused as it heads into the stretch drive.

“It is making sure we are headed in the right direction and learn from this,” said Stevens. “It was not our best showing today but the last couple of weeks, we have shown how we can play. It may not have been here today, but we just have to find it and bring it next week.”

— Bill Alden

(Photo by

Wojciechowski)

Enjoying Big Debut Campaign for PU Women’s Lax, Star Attacker MacDonald Living Up to Family Tradition

For Jami MacDonald, seeing her older brother, Mikey, play for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team in 2012 changed the course of her life.

“I have wanted to play here since his first game,” said MacDonald of her brother, a 2015 Princeton alum who scored 208 points in his Tiger career on 132 goals and 76 assists and was the Ivy League Co-Player of the year as a senior. “I was here when I was about 7 years old, it was great. After watching my brother play, this has been a dream of mine.”

That dream is coming true for MacDonald this spring as she has come to Princeton and joined its women’s lax team, emerging as a go-to scorer in her debut campaign for the Tigers.

Last Saturday, freshman attacker MacDonald tallied a game-high four goals along with one assist to help Princeton cruise to a 19-4 win over Columbia before 816 at Class of 1952 Stadium as it improved to 5-5 overall and 2-1 Ivy.

With the Tigers coming off a disappointing 19-17 loss to Saint Joseph’s on Wednesday, MacDonald helped Princeton get off to a fast start against the Lions, tallying the first goal of the game and adding another moments later as it jumped out to a 5-0 lead nine minutes into the game.

“It was really great as a

team to come together,” said MacDonald. “We have really been focusing on that all week. This was awesome coming off the loss. We were all just ready to work together and stick it to them and get off to a really good start.”

The Tigers never looked back, building their lead to 12-3 at half and 16-3 entering the fourth quarter.

“Our biggest goal was to string together four quarters of great play,” said MacDonald, reflecting on the win which saw Kari Buonanno and McKenzie Blake each score three goals. “I think we did a really good job of that. That is why we were as successful we were.”

Princeton also got some good play at the defensive end against the Lions, allowing its fewest goals of any game this season.

“I think Jenn (head coach Jenn Cook) and Kerrin (assistant coach Kerrin Maurer) have done a great job watching film, going over every aspect of defense and working on both individual and team stuff,” said MacDonald, who scooped up a team-high three ground balls against the Lions.

Reflecting on her performance, which was MacDonald’s second highest offensive output this season besides tallying six goals and an assist in an 18-12 win over Rutgers on March 1, she saw it as a joint effort.

“It was just the collabora -

tion of everyone, we understood what was needed,” said MacDonald. “We understood when we needed to have an assisted goal or clear out for each other.”

In making the transition to college lacrosse, MacDonald has focused on being quicker.

“I think just the speed of the play, that was the biggest challenge,” said MacDonald, who is third in scoring on the team with 33 points on 21 goals and 12 assists. “Everyone on the team does a great job of preparing each other.”

In addition, MacDonald has benefitted from the advice of her older brother.

“He just said take it one game at a time and just make yourself better every day,” said MacDonald.

As No. 22 Princeton looks forward to hosting No. 11 Loyola on April 12 and Brown on April 15, MacDonald believes that dealing with some tough setbacks has helped the Tigers get better.

“We learned some needed lessons from those games, they are going to be really helpful going forward,” said MacDonald, referring to losses to Yale (15-10 on March 4), Penn State (16-14 on March 18), and Maryland (15-11 on March 29).

“We just have to keep our heads down and keep working. We have a really good shot if we just keep getting better every day as we have been in the past.”

—Bill Alden

Putting an Emphasis on Developing Consistency, PU Men’s Heavyweight Crew Produces Solid Start

For the Princeton University men’s heavyweight rowing team, its approach to the spring season comes down to a basic principle.

“Straight up, the one word that describes it is consistency,” said Princeton head coach Greg Hughes. “It is consistency as an individual, it is consistency as a whole team.”

So far, Princeton has displayed that consistency, as its varsity 8 opened the season on March 29 by topping Drexel, Temple, and Georgetown. The Tiger top boat covered the 2,000-meter course on Lake Carnegie in a time of 5:48.6 with Drexel taking second in 6:00.2, Temple coming in third at 6:01.0, and Georgetown fourth in 6:05.1.

A week later, the Princeton varsity 8 produced a dominant performance in topping Navy to earn the Navy-Princeton Cup. Princeton’s top boat finished the 2,000-meter course at 5:34.1 with Navy coming in at 5:56.4.

Last Saturday, Princeton headed to Philadelphia to face Penn and Columbia on the Schuylkill River in the race for the venerable Childs Cup. Once again, the varsity 8 was up to the task, coming in first with a winning time of 5:29.9 with Penn taking second in 5:38.2 and Columbia placing third in 5:49.2. It marked the 11th straight win for Princeton in the competition which started in 1879, making it the oldest cup event in collegiate sports.

Some soul searching by Princeton has helped it produce the hot start.

“We went into the spring, knowing that we had to make some changes as a team,” said Hughes. “In our winter training, the guys looked at what they wanted to improve on and set some great goals and then chipped away at them. The winter training for our group was very solid, it was a positive step. It has been exciting to see in the spring season what that extra work had done for them.”

Hughes credits his senior group of 16, which includes some athletes who took a gap year during the pandemic, with setting a selfless tone.

“I think that is one of the things we see is that there has been a very noticeable change in putting the team

first … which is not always the case,” said Hughes. “It is easy to think about yourself and your performance. I think the senior class has done a really great job creating an environment where our primary goal is making all of our boats fast and fast on race day.”

In winning the Childs Cup race, the Tigers displayed some adaptability.

“One of things we talked about as a team is improving the ability to step up when we are challenged,” said Hughes. “Last week was a week where we did have challenges. We had two athletes out with a bug and they were out of our varsity group. There were some guys who stepped up in new roles across all of the lineups. The energy was really good, the guys took on the challenge. That is not easy.”

That flexibility bodes well for the challenges ahead. “I think in rowing with our season being as long as it is and having big races every weekend, every weekend isn’t going to be absolutely perfect,” said Hughes. “So how we step up and adjust in situations where we are challenged is really important for our overall development.”

Stepping up to win the Childs Cup for the 11th straight time it has been contested was important for the Tigers.

“We are incredibly lucky to do that,” said Hughes. “It is a cool achievement.”

Hughes feels lucky to have some key seniors on the top

boat.

“Nate Phelps has done a great job this year, he has been there for every race,” said Hughes of the senior standout. “The varsity is interestingly pretty young and Nate is in there. James Quinlan had been in there, he was one of the guys who got sick. He was replaced by Floyd Benedikter, who is a senior and then also went out. Erik Spinka is another senior and he stepped up.”

A pair of freshmen, Theo Bell and Marcus Chute, have stepped in to spark the varsity 8.

“There are two freshmen in there and they have done a great job,” said Hughes. “Theo is from the U.K. and Marcus, who is also from the U.K. Both were strong junior rowers. Last summer, Theo actually made the GB U-23 8 even though he had just finished high school and they won the gold medal.” While Hughes is happy with how things have gone so far this spring, he knows that doesn’t guarantee a strong finish.

“It is still early, there are bigger races to come,” said Hughes. “The next three weeks are big weeks, we have to keep making gains.”

With Princeton hosting archival Harvard this Saturday, the Tigers will have to make gains to overcome the Crimson.

“They look strong at every level, without a doubt,” said Hughes of Harvard. “At the 1V level, they are ranked ahead of us. They have been racing well so far. We will need to make sure that we are ready for them.”

—Bill Alden

FROM: 12:00 every day

UNTIL: Sun -Thu 10:00, Fri-Sat 11:30

Concierge Service!

JUDITH BUDWIG Sales Associate Cell: 609-933-7886 | Office: 609-921-2600 judith.budwig@foxroach.com

MAC ATTACK: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Jami MacDonald, left, fires a shot in recent action. Last Saturday, freshmen attacker MacDonald tallied a game-high four goals with one assist to help Princeton defeat Columbia 19-4. The No. 22 Tigers, now 5-5 overall and 2-1 Ivy League, host No. 11 Loyola on April 12 and Brown on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

WE PAY

PU Sports Roundup

Former Hoops Star Meyers Chosen 11th in WNBA Draft

Former Princeton University women’s basketball star Abby Meyers ’22 was selected by the Dallas Wings with the 11th pick in the first round of the WNBA Draft last Monday night.

Meyers, who starred this winter for the University of Maryland as a grad transfer, is the sixth Ivy League player to be selected in the WNBA draft, joining her former teammate Bella Alarie who was selected sixth in the first round of the 2020 draft by the Wings.

During her Tiger career, Meyers tallied 947 points in three seasons and was named the Ivy League Player of the Year in her senior campaign. In her 2022-23 campaign for the Terps, Meyers, a 6’0 native of Potomac, Md., averaged 14.3 points and 5.1 rebounds a game as Maryland advanced to the NCAA Elite 8. PU Women’s Water Polo Tops Harvard, Brown

Kayla Yelensky came up big as the No. 7 Princeton University women’s water polo team edged No. 14 Harvard 12-10 in overtime and then topped No. 20 Brown 8-5 last Saturday.

Freshman Yelensky scored two goals in the win over Harvard and then had a hat trick against Brown.

The Tigers, now 25-2 overall and 7-0 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), head to Ann Arbor, Mich., next weekend where they will face Michigan and Bucknell on April 15 and St. Francis on April 16.

Tiger Women’s Tennis

Beats Cornell 4-0

Remaining undefeated in Ivy League play, the No. 48 Princeton University women’s tennis team topped Cornell 4-0 last Sunday.

The Tigers won the doubles point with the duo of No. 31 Daria Frayman and Grace Joyce defeating Alexandra Savu and Fatima El Ashram, 6-1, at No. 1 and the team of Eva Elbaz and Neha Velaga earning a 6-3 victory over Emma Baker and Gia Graziano at No. 3.

In singles, Velaga prevailed over Lauren Stein, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 2, Zoe Howard defeated Savu, 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 and Elbaz triumphed over Graziano 6-1, 6-2 at No. 6.

The Tigers, now 12-6 overall and 3-0 Ivy, host Brown on April 15 and Yale on April 16.

Princeton Men’s Tennis Falls at Cornell

Thomas Bosancic and Sebastian Sec provided highlights as the No. 50 Princeton University men’s tennis team fell 5-2 at No. 30 Cornell last Sunday.

Bosancic earned a 7-5, 6-4 victory at second singles over Vladislav Melnic while

Sec defeated Adit Sinha at fourth singles after Sinha retired with the score 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 1-1.

The Tigers, now 12-12 overall and 0-3 Ivy League, play at Brown on April 15 and at Yale on April 16.

PU Men’s Volleyball

Sweeps Charleston

Ben Harrington starred as the Princeton University men’s volleyball posted a sweep over No. 14 Charleston last weekend, winning 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-20) on Friday and then prevailing 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 2725, 26-24) a day later.

In the win on Friday, junior Harrington had a match-high 13 kills. On Saturday, Harrington chipped in a match-high 17 kills and team-high three aces.

The Tigers, now 12-11 overall and 6-3 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA), host NJIT on April 14 in their regular season finale.

Tiger Open Rowing

Tops Radcliffe, Cornell

Producing a superb

performance, the Princeton University women’s open varsity 8 topped Radcliffe and Cornell to earn the Class of 1975 Cup.

The Tiger top boat covered the 2,000-meter course on the Charles River in a time of 6:35.5 with Radcliffe taking second in 6:47.4 and Cornell coming in at 7:14.6 to finish third.

Princeton is next in action when it hosts the Ivy Invite on Lake Carnegie from April 15-16.

PU Men’s Lightweights

Top Dartmouth, Delaware

Continuing its hot start, the top-ranked Princeton University men’s lightweight varsity 8 defeated Dartmouth and Delaware last Saturday in earning the Diamond Challenge Cup.

The Tigers posted a winning time of 6:00.6 over the 2,000-meter course on Lake Carnegie with Dartmouth taking second in 6:07.6 while Delaware came across at 6:34.2 to finish third.

Princeton, now 8-0, rows at Cornell on April 15.

HAPPY TIME: Princeton University softball player Allison Ha celebrates during a Tiger win early this spring. Last weekend, sophomore outfielder Ha helped Princeton sweep Columbia in a three-game series. In a doubleheader on Saturday, the Tigers prevailed 7-1 and 5-4 as Ha went 3-for 6 with three runs and one RBI. A day later, Princeton capped the set by winning 8-0 as senior star pitcher Alexis Laudenslager hurled a no-hitter in the five-inning win to become the first pitcher in program history with five career solo no-hitters and the first in program history with three no-hitters in a season. Ha contributed two hits and three RBIs in the win. Princeton, now 17-14 overall and 10-2 Ivy League, will look to stay atop the league standings as it plays at Cornell next weekend with a doubleheader on April 15 and a single game on April 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Senior Johnson Leading in the Field, At Bat As Youthful PHS Softball Showing Progress

As a three-year starting catcher for the Princeton High softball team, Clare Johnson is looking to impart some wisdom to the squad’s younger players.

“I am a captain this year, I am really excited to just step up and help these girls,” said senior Johnson, whose freshman season in 2020 was canceled due to the global pandemic. “It is my last year in the program.”

Johnson is determined to make an impact in the field and at the bat in her final campaign for the Tigers.

“I have worked on becoming more confident, definitely commanding the field and knowing what to call,” said Johnson, who is heading to the College of William and Mary and will not be playing softball at the college level. “It helps all of the rest of the girls when we are talking a lot. At bat, I am focused on finding those pitches to hit, being very patient in the box, knowing what I like.”

Last Thursday morning as PHS hosted WW/P-North, Johnson and her teammates displayed some patience, weathering a rough first inning where they gave up 10 runs to settle down in a 12-1 defeat in five innings.

Johnson credited Tiger freshman pitcher Erin Pilicer with showing composure, stemming the tide after the rocky start.

“It was a tough first inning but Erin is doing a great job in the circle,” said Johnson. “She was really able to hit her spots. It is great for me as a catcher to have someone who I know is going to hit her spots. I am very excited about that.”

Working with Pilicer has been fun for Johnson. “We

just try to take it one pitch at a time, defi nitely giving her spots helps,” said Johnson.

“We just try to take it slow, she is learning to get more control. Once she is in control and that is our goal, then she is a real powerhouse.”

At bat, Johnson pounded out two hits in the loss, batting in the second spot in the Tiger order.

“The whole team hit really well, it took us a little bit to warm up too in the first couple of innings,” said Johnson. “Ellie [van der Schaar] had some great shots, unfortunately they were caught. She has been playing great so far. We were just hitting really well although it took a while to warm up.”

While PHS started the season with three defeats in the first week of the campaign, Johnson is seeing progress.

“I feel like we are getting into it, we are missing a couple of girls right now unfortunately,” said Johnson. “I am excited to see what next week brings when we have the whole team back.”

PHS head coach Marissa Soprano is looking for her players to stay focused for the whole time.

“I just told the girls that you have to be in every single pitch, no matter what the score is,” said Soprano. “It is try hard and be there for Erin, our pitcher.”

With PHS getting seven hits in the loss, Soprano liked the way her players swung the bat.

“It is a big improvement over last year, we are putting the ball in play a lot more, we don’t want to see those strikeouts,” said Soprano. “I think every game will get a little better at bat. I told them we need a little

more luck to find those gaps — van den Schaar hit two ropes. It is keep putting the ball in play and see what happens.”

Ani Betancourt made things happen, getting two hits and an RBI against WW/P-N.

“Ani is a freshman, we are looking to build the program around players like her,” said Soprano. “She did a good job today in the field and at the bat. We have a good freshman class this year. Each time they get experience at the varsity level, it will be a little bit easier for them. In the three games this week, we were just trying to get them to jell with the team and understand how the game works at the varsity level. It was a good learning experience. They were able to stay in the game today and come back in the last couple of innings.”

The pitching of Pilicer has helped keep the Tigers in games.

“We are very excited, she has good control and resiliency too,” said Soprano. “Being able to face varsity hitters for a full game is hard. She is working with Clare really well. She is only a freshman so this is a big task and she is doing well.”

Soprano credits Johnson with giving PHS a lot of good work over her career.

“Clare has become a staple for us behind the plate, having played so many years for us now,” said Soprano of Johnson, whose defensive excellence is even more impressive as a left-handed catcher, a rarity in softball and baseball.

“Her blocking is phenomenal. I appreciate her leadership. She is good for

the girls to see; both her effort and her energy is an example for the rest of the team. She is good at the top of the lineup because she is fast too. Putting the ball in play puts pressure on the other team. We like her and Ellie right at the top of the order.”

In Soprano’s view, there are good things on the horizon for the Tigers.

“We are excited to have

more girls who have playing experience coming from the middle school or travel programs,” said Soprano, whose team plays at Lawrence High on April 14 and at Notre Dame on April 17. “It is just working with them being able to become more competitive and work with our girls who have been here, like Ellie and Clare, to find our rhythm.” Johnson, for her part, be-

lieves that PHS will be more and more competitive as the season unfolds.

“We are all very young, with lots of really good freshmen,” said Johnson. “I am just excited to see what happens. As long as we continue to work hard, work on hitting, and work on communicating in the field, I think we are going to really improve.”

— Bill Alden

Best Pizzeria

Thank you to our customers for voting us Best Pizza

Since [1950] Conte’s has become a Princeton destination; a great old-school bar that also happens to serve some of New Jersey’s best pizza, thin-crusted and bubbly. The restaurant hasn’t changed much since then; even the tables are the same. It’s a simple, no-frills space, but if you visit during peak times, be prepared to wait well over an hour for a table.

We could not have reached this accomplishment without our dedicated employees and customers.

Thank you from the owners of Conte’s Serving the Princeton community for over 80 years, and we will continue to serve you another 80 years and more.

our dedicated employees and customers.

Thank you from the owners of Conte’s Serving the Princeton community for over 80 years, and we will continue to serve you another 80 years and more.

IN GOOD HANDS: Princeton High softball catcher Clare Johnson scoops up a pitch in a game earlier this season. Senior star Johnson has been leading PHS with her glove and bat in her final campaign for the program. The Tigers, who fell 12-1 to WW/P-North last Thursday to move to 0-3, play at Lawrence High on April 14 and at Notre Dame on April 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Coming Into 2023 Season with a Chip on its Shoulder, PDS Boys’ Lax Tops Blair, Pennington to Start Spring

Coming into this spring, the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team was hungry to get back on the winning track after a disappointing 2022 campaign that saw it go 6-11.

“We are all playing and coaching with a chip on our shoulder,” said PDS head coach Joe Moore, who in his last year at the helm of program, having decided to step back to devote more time to his job at Centercourt and his young family. “We had a salty taste in our mouth at the end of last year and we are taking that with us this year.”

In Moore’s view, the squad’s experience gives it the foundation to have a big year in 2023.

“We have nine of our 10 starters returning this year,” said Moore, whose team has gotten off to a 2-0 start, defeating Blair 13-5 on April 4 in its season opener and topping Pennington 12-5 last Thursday. “We are very mature on both sides of the ball, which is helpful.”

That maturity is exemplified by junior attacker/midfielder Sebastian Rzeczycki, who led PDS in scoring last spring with 38 points on 22 goals and 16 assists.

“I think last year he was a good player, he has good talent but he lacked the maturity,” said Moore of Rzeczycki, who has totaled five goals and seven assists so far this season. “This year coming back, he has so much more control, so much more discipline, especially with ball on his stick. He has stepped up outside of his contributions on the field. He is such a strong leader, he is a vocal leader. He will hold the keys to our offense. He will be playing a little bit of middie and a little bit of attack.”

In addition to Rzeczycki, junior Charlie Hogshire and freshman Andrew Ahrens, senior Harry Bernardi, and junior Matt Whittaker figure to be key guys on attack for the Panthers.

“Our attack will be led by Charlie and Andrew, who we expect a lot of,” said Moore, who got three goals and an assist from Ahrens in his debut, and six goals and two assists from him against Pennington. “We hope to have Harry down there. There is some depth in that area. We have a transfer Matt from Lawrence; he has to sit the first 30 days but he will be cycling into attack.”

In the midfield, senior Oliver Hall, sophomore Hart Nowakoski, and senior Nick Somogyi should provide some firepower.

“We have Oliver, who is a senior this year, he will certainly be one of our initiators,” said Moore. “Hart has gotten bigger, faster, stronger and a ton more confident. We will look for him to initiate alongside Oliver and Sebastian as well in the midfield. Somogyi will be moving back to the defensive side of the ball. He will certainly be involved there and on offense. He will be a do-it-all player for us.”

On defense, a quartet of seniors, Nico Cucchi, Will Brown, Ace Ewanchyna, and Milan Patel, have developed into a solid unit.

“They are our poles, they are looking great,” said Moore. “More than anything, they are just having fun. It is their fourth year playing together for the most part. They are playing with so much confidence. It is less of us coaches having to tell them every little thing and more of them taking the initiative playing with

different looks, jumping into a zone and out of a zone.”

The team’s biggest question mark will be at goalie where freshmen Charlie West and Jake Harrison are vying for time.

“Charlie is so coachable; he has got raw talent, he just needs a little more direction,” said Moore. “Jake is just comfortable in goal, he is a bigger body. He is very athletic. He is not scared of the ball, he will throw his body in front of it. Where he has to improve on is pushing transition. We are fortunate to have a goalie-specific coach (Bassam Rifai) on our staff. Charlie, Jake, and our goalie coach spend a lot of time together. I think they will both get there.”

Looking ahead, Moore is confident that the Panthers will be feeling good at the end of this spring.

“I think it is going to come down to leadership and being able to handle adversity,” said Moore, whose team hosts George School (Pa.) on April 14 before playing at Lenape High on April 17. “There is no doubt we will face adversity. Last year, we really couldn’t handle it. I think it was chalked up to our youth. We were very young last year. This year, we will be relying on our leaders, playing really, really fast and sticking together as a unit throughout the whole season. They are playing for each other. We have 10 seniors this year, that group has been together for a long time.”

—Bill Alden

Sparked by Marino’s Offensive Production, Hun Boys’ Lacrosse Defeats Hillsborough

For Brendan Marino, a native of Peterborough, Ontario, his athletic versatility is a product of his Canadian upbringing.

This winter, junior Marino starred on the ice for the Hun School hockey team, tallying 19 points on 11 goals and eight assists. Taking his athleticism to the lacrosse field in the spring, Marino had developed into the key attackman for the Raiders.

“My whole life I have played both, hockey is really big in Canada and then it is lacrosse in the summer,” said Marino. “I go from one sport to the next. I like it because you get to focus on hockey and then play lacrosse. It is a bit of balance.”

Last Thursday as Hun hosted Hillsborough, Marino played very well, tallying four goals to help Hun post a 15-6 win and bounce back from a 24-6 loss to the Lawrenceville School a day earlier in its season opener.

“It was definitely good to get out here, it was a good team effort,” said Marino, who tallied two goals to help Hun start the game with a 6-2 run. “We were all doing our part, following coach’s (Jim Stagnitta) plan, and it worked.”

With Hun clinging to a 6-4 halftime lead, the Raiders broke the game open by

outscoring Hillsborough 6-1 in the third quarter.

“We want to win, we want to compete,” said Marino, reflecting on the third quarter outburst. “We want to be the best we can.”

Marino has quickly developed a connection with Ryan Demato, a postgraduate who previously starred for St. Augustine.

“I really like playing with him, he has got a good eye for the open players,” said Marino.

Coming south to Hun has helped Marino become a better player.

“It is my second year on the team, it has been really good,” said Marino, who has committed to attend Stony Brook and play for its men’s lacrosse program. “I think I have improved a lot, it has been good to be down here with guys and learn from them. I am just trying to help the team as best I can.”

Hun head coach Jim Stagnitta believes that his squad took some important lessons from the tough defeat to Lawrenceville.

“We learned a lot from it,” said Stagnitta, noting that such key players as Danny Cano and Andrew Heubeck, among others, are sidelined by injury. “I thought we were a little bit more settled today and a little more patient and

showed a little more composure. We were able to make some adjustments. It is early, we need some guys back.”

Stagnitta credited Demato and Marino with helping the Hun attack settle in against Hillsborough.

“Today was the first time Demato has really taken over. He was really aggressive, I thought he did a great job,” said Stagnitta, noting that Demato has committed to play for University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “Marino has just been getting better and better. He is committed and he keeps improving.”

Hun showed improvement on the defensive end as well. “We were able to grind it out today with those poles,” said Stagnitta, whose team plays at Haddonfield on April 13, at the Peddie School on April 15, and at Notre Dame on April 17. “I was happy with the defense, the Guida (Charles Guida) kid did a great job. Colin Gillen was terrific. He is one of our most athletic guys. He must have picked up 10 ground balls and had a couple of assists and started some unsettled stuff.”

Looking ahead, Marino is confident that he will keep showing some good stuff.

“I think as long as we follow what coach tells us and we work hard, we should be all right,” said Marino.

—Bill Alden

SHOOTING STAR: Hun School boys’ lacrosse player Brendan Marino heads to goal in a 2022 game. Last Thursday, junior attackman Marino tallied four goals to help Hun defeat Hillsborough High 15-6. The Raiders, who improved to 1-1 with the win, will be playing at Haddonfield on April 13, at the Peddie School on April 15, and at Notre Dame on April 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

BRINGING IT ON: Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse player Harry Bernardi brings the ball up the field in a game last year. Senior attacker Bernardi chipped in an assist as PDS defeated Blair 13-5 in its season opener on April 4. PDS, who topped Pennington 12-5 last Thursday to improve to 2-0, hosts George School (Pa.) on April 14 before playing at Lenape High on April 17.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Kobryn Hurls Perfect Game, Smacks 2-Run Homer

As Hun Softball Rolls to 12-0 Win Over Hill, Now 5-0

It was a cloudy, chilly afternoon last Wednesday with temperatures hovering in the high 40s as the Hun School softball team hosted the Hill School (Pa.).

But Hun junior star pitcher Lexi Kobryn was undeterred by the nippy conditions.

“I was really feeling good, it was a little cold but I had my Under Armour on,” said Kobryn with a smile.

The talented right-hander proceeded to bring a lot of heat from the circle, striking out 14 of 15 batters she faced with nobody reaching first base, hurling a perfect game as Hun defeated Hill 12-0 in a game that ended after five innings due to the 10-run rule.

“Everything was really working,” said Kobryn, whose brilliant effort helped Hun improve to 5-0. “I threw a lot of curves, my screwball was my strike pitch. I mixed in a lot of rises as well.”

Kobryn has worked hard to improve her pitching. “I have increased my speed a lot; I go to the gym every day. I just feel stronger,” said Kobryn, who also played for the New Jersey Intensity travel team. “That is all I do, I love softball. I am consistently at 63-65 mph velocity, I have definitely increased that from last year.”

In the win over Hill, Kobryn helped Hun get off to a good start, smacking a tworun homer over the center field fence in the first inning.

“That was my first homer of the year,” said Kobryn. “This pitcher was a little faster than the ones we faced in the last couple of games so I just made sure that I had my timing down from the beginning.”

Kobryn’s desire to improve also includes daily work on her hitting.

“It is the same thing with my pitching, I do a lot of hit-

ting off the tee almost every day,” said Kobryn who went 2 for 2 with two runs and two RBIs in the win. “I try to get better and better.”

Kobryn’s pitching and hitting prowess had resulted in her committing to attend Villanova and play for its Division I softball program.

“It was a really exciting September 1st for me,” said Kobryn. “I had a really successful summer with my travel team. We travel the country with Intensity. I went to a lot of camps. On September 1st, I got a lot of calls and with my offers, it came down to Boston College, Princeton, and Villanova. I loved the community at Villanova. It is great softball and a great school. I live close by.”

While Hun has dominated most of its foes so far this spring, it was a five-run seventh inning rally in a 10-6 win over Lawrenceville on March 30 that best reflected its competitive fire.

“They have always been our rival and we just found something in us that got us fired up in that game,” said Kobryn. “It is always a tight one with them. It was a team win. We hit, it was great, it was really exciting.”

Hun head coach Kathy Quirk was excited by Kobryn’s pitching effort against Hill.

“Lexi has been doing well, but not as well as she did today,” said Quirk.

“Today was her best outing — she is throwing with confidence. I was nervous because she threw yesterday and I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. I said if you get tired, you have to tell me because I am not going to play around.”

Seeing Kobryn do well with the bat was a plus. “I think she needed that,” added Quirk. “I think it was a big something off of her shoulders too.”

Quirk got good hitting throughout the lineup from her squad against Hill as it pounded out 15 hits with Sam Jolly, Kat Xiong, Emma Eisenberg, Nina Amodio, and Anna Murphy each getting two hits in addition to Kobryn.

“Today, we just hit the ball; yesterday we struggled (in a win over Peddie) and we couldn’t hit the slow pitching,” said Quirk. “Today we came out and we talked about it. We have the target on our backs and everyone is after us. Jolly is doing a great job, she has that slap and she is patient. She will draw the walk and she will hit the ball. Kat is doing a nice job. Nina came through with two nice singles.”

With the Raiders slated to host Hamilton West on April 15 and the Pingry School on April 17, Quirk likes how her team is coming through so far this spring.

“I am pleased with what we are doing; it is hard to say that we are playing excellent defense because they are not hitting the ball off of Lexi,” said Quirk. “They know what they have to do and I think they are confident with each other. I am happy.”

With Hun coming off an 18-1 season in 2022 that saw it win the Prep A state title, Kobryn believes this year’s squad has the talent and chemistry to match that excellence.

“I definitely think we can build on last year,” said Kobryn. “We are such a close group of girls. They are my best friends. We don’t just play softball together, we hang out together. Everything is for the team. It is really fun to be a part of this. I think we really set the tone for what our capabilities are for the year.”

—Bill Alden

Sparked by the One-Two Scoring Punch of Ix, Lee, Stuart Lacrosse Gets Off to Promising 2-2 Start

Even though the Stuart Country Day School lacrosse team fell 16-7 to Peddie School in its season opener, Missy Bruvik saw her players improve within the contest.

In the loss to the Falcons on March 30, Stuart trailed 11-1 at halftime but then outscored Peddie 6-5 in the second half.

“We saw a lot of resilience, we have a lot of kids who are first time players on the field for the very first time in a game situation,” said Tartan head coach Bruvik, who has served as assistant coach for the program and has switched roles with Mark Maser, the head coach since 2020.

Bruvik and Maser are working hard to get those newcomers up to speed.

“What is great is we both know the kids; we communicate well together and work well together so it is a team effort,” said Bruvik, whose team topped Rutgers Prep 17-6 on April 3, fell 12-8 to Robbinsville last Thursday, and then defeated Hamilton West 18-10 last Monday.

“They are responding to both of us really well. It is just continuing to teach the game while also trying to build that chemistry. They have been really good, the kids are super coachable.”

The Tartans feature two really good players in senior Emily Ix and sophomore Allison Lee to trigger the offense. So far this season Ix has tallied 19 goals and five assists while Lee has piled up 28 points on 26 goals and two assists.

“Emily and Allison are clearly our two most experienced players,” said Bruvik, who got nine goals from Lee

in the win over Rutgers Prep and 10 tallies from the sophomore in the victory against Hamilton West. “We have them playing in the midfield and what has been wonderful about them is their ability to communicate their love of the game but also their knowledge to the returning kids as well as the new kids. It is great to see; it helps the coaches, especially when it is game time and they are on the field. They can get some messages across to everybody and the rest of the kids are so receptive to Allison and Emily. They bring the skill and the knowledge and the other kids are working on both.”

On attack, the Tartans will look to senior Sydney Amato, sophomore Emily Harlan, freshman Abby Chirik, freshman Najma Tahiry, sophomore Elise Whang, and junior Harsimar Kaur to help supplement the production of Ix and Lee.

In the midfield, junior Elise Price and senior Margaret Lesinski will be running with Ix and Lee with the attackers rotating back at times.

Across the defense, Stuart will feature junior Leila Washington, sophomore Maya Dev, sophomore Annarose Bourgin, freshman Taylor States, freshman Hadelyn Martinez Cambrero, and freshman Rhea Jain.

“We have Leila Washington who came out for lacrosse for the first time, she brings her athleticism for sure and is super coachable,” said Bruvik of Washington who previously starred for the Stuart basketball team before opting not to play last winter. “Maya is playing defense, but she is

going to be in the goal at times. Annarose is playing defense and Taylor is also playing there. Hadelyn is a freshman playing defense. Rhea Jain is a freshman and is going to see time on both offense and defense.”

The pair of Dev and senior Abby Snyder will be rotating at goalie. Dev made six saves in the win over Rutgers Prep while Snyder had seven saves against Hamilton West.

“Mark and I are working with some players that are new goalies to the game,” said Bruvik. “Abby said she will try goalie. It is going to take time for her, she played very well in the scrimmage against Immaculata. She had some opening day jitters against Peddie but the fact that she stepped up is great. The kids are saying what do you need me to do.”

In Bruvik’s view, the Tartans should play better and better as they get more games under their belt.

“They continue to grow every practice for sure,” said Bruvik, whose team hosts WW/P-North in April 17. “In game situations, we will do what we can to adapt to each game. The key is going to be taking those lessons from practice and putting them into game situations as quickly as we can. That is where Allison and Emily come in, they are going to be instrumental. They are the kids with lacrosse experience to help facilitate things on the field, they are so willing and capable. The kids don’t dwell on things, they learn from mistakes. We challenge them at practice to go ahead and make those mistakes. We have got to get up to 100 percent in terms of speed and execution.”

—Bill Alden

PERFECT DAY: Hun School softball player Lexi Kobryn, right, celebrates after scoring a run in a 2022 game. Last Wednesday against the Hill School (Pa.), junior star Kobryn produced a brilliant performance in a 12-0 victory, pitching a perfect game with 14 strikeouts in a contest that ended after five innings due to the 10-run rule. Kobryn, a Villanova commit, also hit a tworun homer in the win which improved Hun to 5-0. In upcoming action, the Raiders are slated to host Hamilton West on April 15 and the Pingry School on April 17.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

FULL SPEED AHEAD: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Emily Ix (No. 14) races upfield in recant action. Last Monday, senior star Ix tallied six goals and three assists to help Stuart defeat Hamilton West 18-10. The Tartans, who improved to 2-2 with the win, host WW/P-North on April 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Hun

Baseball : Falling behind 5-0 in the first inning, Hun fell 11-1 Poly Prep (N.Y.) last Monday. Tyler Tucker knocked in the lone run for the Raiders as they moved to 5-3. Hun hosts Bergen Catholic on April 13 and then plays at the Pingry School on April 17.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Winning its third straight game, Hun edged the Shipley School (Pa.) 11-10 last Thursday. The Raiders, now 3-0, play at Princeton Day School on April 14 and then host Villa Joseph Marie High School (Pa.) on April 17.

Lawrenceville

Baseball : Shaun McMillan, Gray Devine, and Jack Moses chipped in RBIs as Lawrenceville defeated the Blair Academy 5-3 last Wednesday. Devine got the win on the mound with a superb relief effort for the Big Red, who improved to 2-4. Lawrenceville plays at Hopewell Valley on April 12, hosts the Peddie School on April 15, and then plays at Princeton Day School on April 17.

Girls’ Lacrosse: Sparked by Lexie Koch, Lawrenceville edged Moorestown 10-9 last Thursday. Koch tallied two goals and two assists as the Big Red moved to 1-1. Lawrenceville hosts the Hun

School on April 12, plays at Penn Charter (Pa.) on April 15, and then hosts the Peddie School on April 18.

PDS

Baseball : Unable to get its bats going, PDS fell 10-0 to Manville last Thursday. The Panthers got hits from Luke Haan and Ryan Vandal as they fell to 0-3. In upcoming action, PDS hosts Peddie School on April 14, Somerville High on April 15, and Lawrenceville School on April 17.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Sophie Jaffe starred in a losing cause as PHS fell 12-9 to Shore last Thursday. Jaffe tallied three goals and an assist as the Panthers moved to 0-2. PDS hosts the Hun School on April 14 and plays at Somerville High on April 15.

Boys’ Tennis : Heyang Li came through as PDS edged Rutgers Prep 3-2 last Monday. Li posted a 6-2, 6-3 win over Tanay Patil at first singles to help the Panthers improve to 3-0. PDS plays at Hopewell Valley on April 12, hosts Pennington on April 14, and then plays at the Peddie School on April 17.

Pennington

Baseball : Bryce Meccage came up big to help Pennington defeat Lawrence High 5-3 last Saturday. Meccage

knocked in two runs and was the winning pitcher as the Red Hawks improved to 4-0. Pennington hosts Nottingham on April 13, the Hill School (Pa.) on April 17, and the Peddie School on April 18.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Coming up short in a nail-biter, Pennington fell 13-11 to the Peddie School last Thursday. The Red Hawks, now 1-1, host Hopewell Valley High on April 14.

PHS

Boys’ Lacrosse: Brendan Beatty had a big game in a losing cause as PHS fell 11-10 to Scotch Plains-Fanwood last Saturday. Sophomore midfielder Beatty tallied four goals and three assists as the Tigers moved to 1-1. PHS plays at North Hunterdon on April 13 and at Red Bank Regional on April 15 before hosting Hopewell Valley in April 18.

Girls’ Lacrosse: With Quinn Gallagher and Phoebe Steiger triggering the attack, PHS topped WW/PSouth 15-2. Gallagher and Steiger each had two goals and three assists as the Tigers improved to 2-0. PHS plays at Hillsborough on April 15 and Robbinsville on April 17.

Boys’ Golf: Getting edged in a tight match, PHS fell 162-163 to Hopewell Valley last Thursday. Brook Cahill-Sanidas fired a 39 in the nine-hole event to lead the Tigers as they moved to 1-1. PHS was slated to host

lex a ndra Hor owitz

IN SYNC: Princeton High baseball player Jack Durbin takes a cut in recent action. Last Thursday, senior infielder Durbin went 2 for 2 with three RBIs to help PHS defeat WW/PNorth 14-4. The Tigers, who improved to 1-2 with the win, host Cinnaminson on April 12 and Lawrence on April 14 before playing at Notre Dame on April 17, and then hosting WW/P-South on April 18.

Hightstown on April 11 before Hamilton West on April 13, Princeton Day School on April 17, and WW/P-North on April 18 with each match to be held at the Princeton Country Club.

Local Sports

Princeton Post 218 Legion Baseball Holding Evaluations

The Princeton American Legion Post 218 baseball team is holding player evaluations/workouts on April 23 from 1-3 p.m. at Smoyer Field and on April 30 from 1-3 p.m. at Smoyer Park.

The program encourages all interested high school players from Princeton High, Princeton Day School, Hun School, and Notre Dame High or any players who live in the towns of Princeton and Cranbury to attend these two sessions. In addition, college freshman born in 2004 may also be eligible to play.

For more information on the program and to RSVP for the tryouts, contact Jon Durbin at jonwdurbin@gmail. com.

Princeton Athletic Club Holding 6K Run April 15

The Princeton Athletic Club will be holding a 6,000-meter cross-country run at the Institute Woods on April 15.

The 6,000-meter run starts at 10 a.m. from Princeton Friends School and is limited to 200 participants. The event is chip timed. All abilities are invited, including those who prefer to walk the course.

Online registration and full event details are available at princetonac.org.

The Princeton Athletic Club is a nonprofit running club for the community. The club, an all-volunteer organization, promotes running for the fun and health of it and stages several running events each year.

Hopewell Valley PTO Holding Bunny Hop 5K

The Hopewell Valley Central High PTO will be holding the inaugural Hopewell Valley Bunny Hop 5K Run/Walk on April 22, at Washington Crossing State Park.

The event has a check-in time of 8 a.m. and a 9 a.m. race start. In addition to providing the community with a fun way to welcome spring, the Bunny Hop also supports fundraising efforts for the Class of 2024 Post Prom.

For more than 25 years, parent volunteers, in cooperation with the HVCHS PTO, school administrators, and the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance, have organized a large-scale event known as Post Prom. This event provides an alcohol- and drugfree alternative for all HoVal students and their guests following the senior prom. Participation awards are being given to the top HVRSD elementary school ($300), the top grade at Timberlane Middle School ($400), and top grade at Hopewell Valley High ($500).

All registrants are able to affiliate with one of these groups, as appropriate. The top three finishers (male/ female) of each age group will be awarded chocolate bunnies provided by David Bradley Chocolatier.

Log onto hvbunnyhop5K. com for more information and to register.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

MICHAEL PRATT Conductor

Obituaries

the young adults group or nursery, organizing vacation Bible school, and working in the church office. Having a love for teaching children, she tutored students and homeschooled her own children until they enrolled at the Wilberforce School.

Carrie enjoyed building relationships in her community Tai Chi class, YWCA Breast Cancer Resource Center group, the school, Bible study fellowships, or prayer groups.

Carolyn Leah Chun

February 15, 1966 –

January 31, 2023

Carolyn (“Carrie”) Leah Chun, 56, of Princeton Junction, NJ, passed away January 31, 2023 after a long battle with Huntington’s Disease (HD). Born in Natchitoches, LA, on February 15, 1966, the second daughter of Marvin Ostberg and Nancy (Whitford) Grant, she spent her childhood in Salem, OR. Graduating from McKay High School (Salem, OR), she received a B.S. in Elementary Education (at Oregon State University) and M.A. in Reading and Language Arts (Rider University). Married to Jonathan in 1992 in Honolulu, they lived in the Princeton area for more than 30 years, raising two daughters. Carrie had been actively involved in her church, Westerly Road Church (now Stone Hill Church), serving in

Carrie is remembered as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and dear friend to many. Predeceased by her mother, Nancy (Whitford) Grant, she is survived by her father, Marvin Ostberg and stepmother Patricia of Skillman, NJ; her sister, Jill Ostberg of Lakewood, NJ; her husband, Jonathan, of Princeton Junction, NJ; daughter Emily of Washington, DC; and daughter Hannah of Philadelphia, PA.

A private burial was attended by family with a Celebration of Life to be held at Stone Hill Church of Princeton, NJ, on April 15 at 11 a.m., preceded by a graveside service at Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church Cemetery, West Windsor, NJ, at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (hdsa.org) or the ministries of Cru (give. cru.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of MatherHodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

John Stephen Hegedus

John Stephen Hegedus, a loving husband, father, and friend, passed away on March 27, 2023. He was born on July 21, 1927 to a Hungarian family in Satu Mare, Romania. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zoltan and Anna Hegedus, and his sister, Agnes. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Franziska (aka Bambi); his sons, Nicholas (Kate) of Pennington, NJ, and Christopher (Heather) of Vienna, VA; and grandchildren, Timothy, Kristen, Austin, and Matthew.

Early in his life, John experienced the tragedy of WWII, during which he lost his father and sister. He made an adventurous escape from communist Romania, involving crossing a border in the trunk of a car and posing as a seminarian, eventually making his way to NYC, where he graduated from Columbia University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.

After a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, including time managing operations in Tokyo (twice) and in Istanbul (for eight years),

he settled in Greenwich, CT, moved to Westport, CT, and then to Pennington, NJ. He was an avid bridge player, a history buff, and a consummate intellectual. He will be forever missed for his intelligence, curiosity, and (at times off-color) sense of humor.

Artwork by Nicole Steacy

Beverly Crane Dubee (née Tyrrell) passed away on April 4 at Penn Princeton Medical Center, age 89. Born in Hackensack, NJ, on January 15, 1934, the daughter of Donald Ross Tyrrell and Henrietta Benson Tyrrell, she was a longtime resident of Princeton who inspired and supported all with her innate ability to connect with everyone she met.

She graduated from Rutherford High School in 1951 and matriculated at Ursinus College in 1955 and graduated with a degree in psychology. Dismissed from her first professional job at Western Electric’s personnel department after marrying Harold E. Crane Jr. (19321981) in 1957 for being a pregnant married woman, their son William M. Crane was born the same year. The young family moved to the Princeton area in 1959.

Their daughter Elizabeth de Jong-Crane was born in 1960. Determined to be a working mother, she started her real estate career with Charles Draine, then joined Peyton and Callaway and finally Peyton Associates. In Princeton she was a founding member of All Saints’ Church, and an active member of Springdale Golf Club and the AAUW.

In 1981 after the passing of her first husband she worked for Merrill Lynch Relocation in the World Trade Center in NYC. In 1985 she married Joseph Andre Dubee (19452010) and moved to Bethesda, MD, where she worked

for Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In 1990 Joe and Beverly moved to Elkins Park, PA, where she worked for the Philadelphia Cricket Club as head of Human Resources. She was also Senior Warden of the vestry at St. Paul’s Church. They returned to Princeton in 2005, where she dedicated much of her time to her passion for bridge. Having achieved the rank of sectional master she played regularly at the Princeton Senior Center, the Present Day Club, and Community without Walls.

In 2015, five years after her second husband died, she moved to Princeton Windrows. In 2021 she moved to Maplewood Senior Living, where her constant upbeat nature never wavered.

She is survived by her children Bill (Lisa) and Betsy (Jan); four grandchildren, Marshall, Emma, Abigail (Andrew Ochoa), and Pieter; her three sisters, Patricia Taylor, Dorothy Zaleski, and Susan Gauff; her sisterin-law Patricia Crane; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in her honor at Trinity Church Princeton on Friday April 14, at 1 p.m., with a reception following at Springdale Golf Club where she was a member for 55 years.

Donations in her honor may be made to Scheie Eye Institute, The National Trust for Preservation, and Planned Parenthood.

Princeton’s First Tradition

Worship Service

Sundays at 11am

Open to all.

Preaching Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 11am is Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames , Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel. Music performed by the Princeton University Chapel Choir with Nicole Aldrich, Director of Chapel Music and Chapel Choir, and with Eric Plutz, University Organist.

DIRECTORY OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Wherever you are in your journey of faith, come worship with us

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Princeton 16 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ

You are welcome to join us for our in-person services, Sunday Church Service and Sunday School at 10:30 am, Wednesday Testimony meetings at 7:30 pm. Audio streaming available, details at csprinceton.org.

Visit the Christian Science Reading Room Monday through Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm 178 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ

For free local delivery call (609) 924-0919 www.csprinceton.org

Beverly T. Crane Dubee

PRESENTED BY CARY SIMONS

Four Chimneys

FourChimneysPA.com

Located off one of the most coveted roads in Bucks County, this extraordinary estate is tucked away in a magnificent 44-acre setting with breathtaking views and privacy. Curated by prominent design professionals, artisans and craftsmen, this residence showcases the perfect blend of sophisticated elegance and timeless finishes throughout. Designed by renowned architect, Allan Greenberg, who was featured on Architectural Digest’s AD 100 list, the bespoke residence exhibits classical elements, incredible artistic integrity and the highest level of craftsmanship. A true delight during every season, the lush grounds and stunning formal English gardens were designed by landscape architect Barbara Paca, A.S.L.A. The interiors were thoughtfully designed by Mariette Himes Gomez, also featured on Architectural Digest’s AD 100 list. The full masonry home with stunning Vermont slate roof is finished with custom mahogany windows and doors that allow for an abundance of natural light and create the perfect integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Enjoy incredible long-distance views in a majestic country setting overlooking a gorgeous parterre and serene pond. The floor plan creates the perfect fusion of formal and intimate spaces, providing luxury and comfort for daily living and special occasions. Enjoy a daily swim, year-round, in the indoor saltwater heated lap pool or the outdoor saltwater heated pool. The main residence consists of 14,569 SF and the accessory building consists of 3,330 SF. SOLEBURY,

$14,500,000

Exquisite Living in

Exquisite Living in Rumson

Exquisite Living in Rumson

Introducing 18 extraordinary new homes nestled in a premier the Navesink River. The breathtaking homes of Bingham Park are Colonial style offering open floorplans with elevators that make ————————

Introducing 18 extraordinary new homes nestled in a premier coastal community the Navesink River. The breathtaking homes of Bingham Park are designed in the timeless Colonial style offering open floorplans with elevators that make for an exceptional

Introducing 18 extraordinary new homes nestled in a premier coastal community just the Navesink River. The breathtaking homes of Bingham Park are designed in the timeless Colonial style offering open floorplans with elevators that make for an exceptional lifestyle.

MODEL GRAND OPENING

MODEL GRAND OPENING

Models Open: Thurs–Mon 10:30AM –4:30PM & Tues–Wed by Appointment Only.

Models Open: Thurs–Mon 10:30AM –4:30PM & Tues–Wed PRICED FROM $2,695,000

BinghamParkRumson.com • 132 Bingham Ave, Rumson, NJ Call Brenda from Brenda McIntyre Realty at 732.859.5622

COMMUNITIES

APRIL IS AN OPTIMAL MONTH TO LIST YOUR HOME

If you're thinking of selling your house, you might want to consider listing it in April. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Spring is in the air: April is the beginning of spring, and with it comes warmer weather and blooming flowers. This makes your home look more inviting and can attract more potential buyers.

2. Tax refund season: Many people receive their tax refunds in April, and this extra cash can be used for a down payment on a new home.

3. School year ending: Families with school aged children often prefer to move during the summer when school is out. Listing in April gives them plenty of time to find and purchase a new home before the next school year begins.

4. Low inventory: While the housing market in Princeton is competitive year round, there may be less inventory in April, meaning your home could stand out more.

5. Increased online searches: According to real estate website Zillow, April is one of the top months for online real estate searches. Listing your home during this time can increase your exposure to potential buyers.

GARAGE SALE: Saturday, April 15th, 8 am - 3 pm, No Early Birds, 154 North Street, Belle Mead. 50 years of treasures. Something for everyone! Tools, Furniture, Outdoor Items, Dishes, Housewares, Antiques, Toys. 04-12

PRINCETON WINDROWS APARTMENT OFFERS

AFFORDABLE OPTION TO LIVE IN UNIQUE 55-PLUS

INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY

Buy or lease this lovely retreat-like space: Sale price, $148,000; call for rent details. Full-sized kitchen, new refrigerator, granite countertops, window treatments. Includes use of the indoor pool, gym, dinner option from 4-30 meals, you get to pick. Transportation provided twice a week plus rides to doctor’s appointments when needed. Onsite parking and 24 hour coverage at the front desk. Fantastic option for independent living. Many stimulating cultural and intellectual offerings! Conveniently located and very quiet. If interested, call (609) 240-6696. 04-19

CARPENTRY–PROFESSIONAL

All phases of home improvement. Serving the Princeton area for over 30 yrs. No job too small. Call Julius Sesztak: (609) 466-0732 tf ROSA’S CLEANING SERVICE LLC

Offering professional cleaning services in the Princeton community for more than 28 years! Weekly, biweekly, monthly, move-in/move-out services for houses, apartments, offices & condos. As well as, GREEN cleaning options! Outstanding references, reliable, licensed & trustworthy. If you are looking for a phenomenal, thorough & consistent cleaning, don’t hesitate to call (609) 751-2188. 04-05

HANDYMAN–CARPENTER:

Painting, hang cabinets & paintings, kitchen & bath rehab. Tile work, masonry. Porch & deck, replace rot, from floors to doors to ceilings. Shelving & hook-ups. ELEGANT REMODELING. You name it, indoor, outdoor tasks. Repair holes left by plumbers & electricians for sheetrock repair. RE agents welcome. Sale of home ‘checklist’ specialist. Mercer, Hunterdon, Bucks counties. 1/2 day to 1 month assignments. CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED, Covid 19 compliant. Active business since 1998. Videos of past jobs available. Call Roeland, (609) 933-9240. tf

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 4/16, 12-3 PM

ROCK BROOK ESTATE

This Montgomery Skillman home in Somerset, NJ sits on a ridge overlooking Rock Brook, with a breathtaking surrounding. This 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home nestles on a majestic setting. From inside the home, wide windows overlook the property’s spectacular 4+ acres. This home was recently remodeled with additional square footage added, a laundry space on all three levels. Restoration Hardware finishes and light fixtures throughout. The finished basement includes a rec room and more. Off the 4 seasons room you have a large paver patio with an outdoor kitchen that features a pizza oven, Argentinian BBQ grill plus a traditional gas grill and bar area under a pergola louver that makes outdoor cooking year around easy with the option to the pergola and be protected from the elements. Through the large deer fenced in back yard you will find an additional bonus space with a large deck looking back at the main house. Perennial gardens, including numerous native plants, are enclosed and protected by a 1.3 acre deer fence. This home is in the highly rated and sought after Montgomery S.D. $1,175,000

PRESENTING

PRESENTING

1 Barley Court, Plainsboro Twp. $1,250,000

Marketed by: Chihlan “Lana” Chan foxroach.com/NJMX2004344

PRESENTING

4 Manor Avenue, West Windsor Twp. $825,000 Marketed by: Deborah “Debbie” Lang foxroach.com/NJME2028526

PRESENTING

15 Wood Hollow Road, West Windsor Twp. $750,000

Marketed by: Wendy Merkovitz foxroach.com/NJME2028680

NEWLY PRICED

176 Minuteman Circle, Upper Freehold Twp. $650,000 Marketed by: Teresa Cunningham foxroach.com/NJMM2001564

NEWLY PRICED

468 State Road, Princeton $2,490,000

Marketed by: Chihlan “Lana” Chan foxroach.com/NJME2023716

55 Hillside Terrace, Montgomery Twp. $1,463,000

Marketed by: Blanche Paul foxroach.com/NJSO2002100

253 Nassau Street | Princeton, NJ O: 609-924-1600

foxroach.com

Introducing: Great Road

Montgomery Township, NJ | $5,650,000

Janet Stefandl: 201.805.7402 callawayhenderson.com/NJSO2002180

Realtor® Owned

Introducing: Carter Road Lawrence Township, NJ | $4,850,000

Susan A Cook: 609.577.9959 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028508

Introducing: Edgerstoune Road Princeton, NJ | $4,250,000

Maura Mills: 609.947.5757 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028472

Introducing: Stony Brook Lane Princeton, NJ | $2,850,000

Kimberly A Rizk, Eleanor Deardorff: 609.203.4807 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2027984

Introducing: Westcott Road

Princeton, NJ | $2,750,000 Sylmarie ‘Syl’ Trowbridge: 917.386.5880 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028394

Introducing: Puritan Court

Princeton, NJ | $1,995,000

Jennifer E Curtis: 609.610.0809 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028540

Introducing: Autumn Hill Road

Princeton, NJ | $1,745,000

Maura Mills: 609.947.5757 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028650

Introducing: Crusher Road

Hopewell Township, NJ | $1,550,000

Jennifer E Curtis: 609.610.0809 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028552

Introducing: Robert Road

Princeton, NJ | $1,225,000

Maura Mills: 609.947.5757 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028700

Introducing: Cherry Hill Road Princeton, NJ | $999,999

Debra McAuliffe: 609.922.8686 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028338

Introducing: Wild Azalea Lane Montgomery Township, NJ | $1,265,000

Carolyn Spohn: 609.468.2145 callawayhenderson.com/NJSO2002114

Introducing: Red Hill Road

Princeton, NJ | $825,000

Jane Henderson Kenyon: 609.828.1450 callawayhenderson.com/NJME2028672

609.921.1050 | 4 NASSAU STREET | PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08542

Realtor® Owned