Town Topics Newspaper, May 15, 2024.

Watershed Institute And Partners Launch

Trenton Tree Planting At Cadwalader Park 5

Isles’ Series of Virtual Forums Has Become an Annual Event 7

Of Tom Ripley and Patricia Highsmith, the Barnard Graduate 14

PSO Enthralls Audience With Piano Soloist 15

PU Softball Wins Ivy Tournament, Will Face Louisiana in NCAA Opener 23

Singer Stars as PHS Boys’ Lacrosse Edges

Robbinsville to Make MCT Semis 26

Meeting on Jugtown Historic Property Goes Into Second Session

Testimony was set to continue at Witherspoon Hall Tuesday evening on an application for a 15-unit addition to the Joseph Hornor House, an 18th century property at the corner of Nassau and Harrison streets that was recently listed by Preservation New Jersey as one of the 10 most endangered historic places in New Jersey.

Some 40 people, many of whom live in the Jugtown Historic District where the house is located, attended Monday’s 5 p.m. special meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to express their views on the proposed project. Because Princeton Council was to meet in the room at 7 p.m., the HPC ran out of time before any of them had an opportunity to speak. With this in mind, the commission scheduled a second meeting for 5 p.m. Tuesday, after press time, without a time limit.

Developer and property owner Daniel Barsky wants to add the 15 units, three of which would be designated affordable, to the rear of the building. Fifteen parking spots are also included in the proposal. The earliest part of the house, which dates from the 1760s, would be retained.

The HPC is to either approve or reject the proposal, passing their recommendation on to the Planning Board, which is scheduled to consider the project at a meeting on May 23.

Those opposed to the proposed plan have said the four-story addition would overwhelm the original building, make traffic more dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians, and set a precedent for future additions at the historic crossroads. They want the HPC to follow standards in the Historic Preservation Ordinance by making the proposed building smaller and more compatible with the historic district.

Monday’s meeting began with an overview of the project by Elizabeth Kim, Princeton’s preservation officer.

“The applicant really did everything right, until the end,” she said of revisions that would step back the building from the Harrison Street right of way, cut 4.5 feet off the fourth oor, relocate the sidewalk to make it safer for pedestrians, and alter the architectural style. “While these efforts deserve to be recognized,” she continued, “they are not enough.”

PU Gaza Encampment is Winding Down

Nineteen days after its start on April 25, the Princeton University Gaza Solidarity Encampment appeared to be preparing to leave Cannon Green on Tuesday, May 14 following a warning sent by Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber the previous evening.

About 40 demonstrators continued to occupy the space in the early afternoon on Tuesday, but signs of decamping included piled up blankets, tarps, and other supplies, as well as barriers surrounding the green with signs stating: “This space is closed in preparation for University events.” About a dozen public safety ofcials were present around the perimeter of the green, and a number of University facilities workers were hanging electrical cords and lights in the trees.

It is not clear how and when the withdrawal from Cannon Green will be completed. A mid-day Instagram notice from the protesters stated that Eisgruber “failed to let us know how, when, or on what timeline the camp would be cleared,” and the “urgent update” concluded, “Administration and public safety are currently encircling the camp as we deliberate our next steps.”

Protesters talked with administrators several times during the day on

Tuesday, but at Town Topics press time uncertainty remained as to what the next steps would be.

In his May 13 message to the Princeton University community, Eisgruber warned that protesters must leave Cannon Green, though he did not set a deadline. He also noted measures the University would take in responding to several of the protesters’ demands.

“We are now letting the protesters know that they need to clear Cannon Green

and respect the University’s need for it and other common spaces, so that the University may prepare for and produce end-of-year events. The sit-in makes it impossible to ready the green for Class Day and other events.”

He added, “To continue the sit-in would involve signi cant and impermissible disruption of University activities. The protesters are of course free to express their views in many other permissible, nondisruptive ways.”

Improvement Projects Currently Underway Provide Opportunities for Bike Facilities Plan

At its meeting on Monday evening, May 13, Princeton Council held a work session on the 2024 Bicycle Facilities Implementation Plan. Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell talked about how to work elements of the Master Plan Bicycle Mobility Plan into programs that are taking place to resurface roads, make capital improvements, and repave sidewalks.

“We have some opportunities this year,” he said. “PSE&G’s gas system modernization project is underway. Twelve miles of gas mains are being replaced, so they are tearing up the roadways.”

PSE&G is required to replace existing markings on the roadways, and will be asked to add some new ones. “Given limited resources, we want to implement these elements when we can,” Purcell said. “With all the construction and PSE&G work, this is an opportunity.”

Key elements of the implementation plan are the bicycle network section of the Master Plan, the Complete Streets transportation policy, and the availability of resources. Details include repaving existing markings and installing new markings for

CARDING THE WOOL: Visitors learned about sheep shearing, wool spinning and use, sheep herding and care, fleece cleaning, and more at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township on Saturday. The program was part of the farm’s series of weekly Saturday events.

(Photo by Sarah Teo)

PHS Science Teacher

Mark Eastburn 8

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Local Toastmasters Member To Compete in Quarterfinals

Vaidehi Chitnis of Princeton outshined dozens of local contestants to win the district-level competition of the recent Toastmasters International Speech Contest. She advances to the region quarterfinal round of the contest, vying for one of 28 spots in the semifinals, to be held in a hybrid format on Thursday, August 15. From there, eight contestants will advance to the World Championship of Public Speaking, which takes place on Saturday, August 17.

A member of Princeton Toastmasters Club, Chitnis’ speech, “The Ugly Duckling,” detailed her journey to find “her inner swan,” according to a press release from Princeton Toastmasters Club.

“I wanted to share my story

of the many struggles that I had faced in my life and the many challenges that I had to overcome in order to blossom into a strong, confident and fearless woman,” she said. “It was a simple yet powerful message that resonated with everyone, regardless of their race, sex, age, color, or background.”

Chitnis will compete with up to 126 other winners across 14 groups from districts around the world who advance to the 2024 regional quarterfinal round after winning their club, area, division, and district speech competitions. Their five- to seven-minute speeches are judged on content, delivery, and language.

“To prepare for the competition I practiced as often as I could, but I also took breaks,” Chitnis said. “I presented my speech in-person at our club, as well as some

other clubs. I incorporated some of the feedback into my speech. Princeton Toastmasters is an incredibly supportive club with an enviable positive and progressive vibe.”

Chitnis is a banking and finance professional with more than 20 years of experience in managing accounts, financial reports, relationship management, customer service, sales support, and administration. She is currently the president of Princeton Toastmasters Club.

The Toastmasters International Speech Contest began in 1938 and is the world’s largest speech contest, involving an estimated 30,000 participants from 144 countries. It culminates with the World Championship of Public Speaking held annually at the organization’s international convention.

Land Stewards Sought : On Saturday, May 25 from either 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1-3 p.m., j oin Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) for volunteer stewardship sessions. Under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff, perform riparian and forest restoration, remove invasives, and plant native species to ready lands for summer. Registration required at Fopos.org/events-programs.

Recreation Department Summer Jobs : Apply for work at Community Park Pool in customer service, day camp, or on lifeguard staff. Visit Princetonnj.gov/982/ Seasonal-Employment.

Nominations Sought : For the 2024 Annual New Jersey Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards, sponsored by the NJ Business Coalition. The deadline is June 1. Visit njbusinessimmigration.org/nominations.

Diaper Donations : The Maker’s Place in Trenton distributes diapers to mothers who cannot afford them. Donate through makersplace.org.

Recycling Buckets Available : Mercer County Improvement Authority has announced that free buckets are available again for residents. In Princeton, buckets can be picked up at 27 North Harrison Street. Princetonnj.gov.

AND THE WINNER IS: Princeton resident Vaidehi Chitnis, shown fourth from left with fellow members of the Princeton Toastmasters Club, will represent District 38 in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest region quarterfinals.

Watershed Institute and Partners Launch Trenton Tree Planting at Cadwalader Park

With a plan to plant 1,000 trees in Trenton in the next three years, the Watershed Institute, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF), and other partners began planting trees last

week in Cadwalader Park to improve climate resiliency and enhance the environment.

“At the Watershed we really believe that trees are such an important component of the green infrastructure that protects our waterways and so important as we enter this year of climate change,” said Watershed Chief of Operations Sophie Glovier.

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this project,” said NJCF CoExecutive Director Jay Watson. “These organizations are all dedicated to a green and healthy Trenton, and I am so happy that we begin with this initial planting of 100 trees in Trenton’s crown jewel, Cadwalader Park.”

Of the Town

She emphasized the many benefits to the community that trees provide, including keeping temperatures cooler, mitigating flooding by slowing down rainfall and sucking up water, and improving water quality.

“We’re really excited to be part of this effort, to get trees into the ground and also to be working with community members to educate them about all the benefits of trees and the importance of taking care of them,” she said.

Glovier went on to point out that, according to the Tree Equity score published by American Forests conservation organization, Trenton has a tree canopy that ranges from about 10 to 20 percent. The goal is 40 percent. Princeton ranges from about 37 to 40 percent.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora voiced his enthusiastic approval of the project. “Cadwalader Park is one of Trenton’s most important public open spaces and is loved by many,” he said, as quoted in a Watershed Institute press release. “We are very fortunate to have so many nonprofit partners working with the

“Trees will be so important for resiliency to climate change and making our urban areas cooler and healthier, so this is a really important project that we feel strongly about,” she added.

Over the next three years the $1.3 million project, funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program, will enable the team of the City of Trenton, NJCF, Isles, the New Jersey Tree Foundation, Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, the Outdoor Equity Alliance, and the Watershed Institute to add 1,000 trees to the cityscape.

New trees will be planted in parts of the city where there are few to no street trees, but the first plantings are focusing on reforesting parts of Cadwalader Park.

“When putting this grant request together, we assembled the very best organizations working in this space to join

city to restore the landscape in this incredible historic park. This planting 100 tress is just the beginning of a three-year project that will see a thousand shade trees planted across the city for our residents and visitors.”

About 80 staff members from the partner organizations with a host of volunteers gathered on Tuesday, May 7, for the initial plantings in Cadwalader Park. They were led by the street tree crew from the NJTF. “We all went out and worked on getting the trees into the ground,” said Glovier.

There is a detailed plan concerning where the trees will be planted and different approaches that will be necessary to plant them based on underground conditions. Plantings planned for the parks, like Cadwalader, can often be carried out by community members, but most street trees will need to be planted by professionals.

“It’s all focused on getting the trees in at times when it’s going to rain more in the spring and the fall, but we’re going to be working with community members on education on a year-round basis,” said Glovier.

forum for the expression of

about local and national

Question of the Week:

“What did you learn here today?”

(Asked Saturday at the Sheep Shearing and Herding event at Howell Living History Farm)

(Photos by Sarah Teo)

“In sheep herding, there are 25 different whistle sounds they make with one whistle! The ability of the herder and the sheep dog to work together in such an efficient way was fascinating. He also mentioned that sheep herds are used to keep the grass low on big solar farms, versus the roughly $35,000 it would cost to conventionally mow the farm.”

Looking ahead, NJTF Executive Director Pam Zipse pointed out, “The long-term benefits of air filtration, stormwater interception, and contributions to the local ecosystem will extend far into the surrounding neighborhoods for decades to come.”

Isles CEO Sean Jackson added, “We know the lack of trees makes Trenton hotter and more polluted. Isles’ Trenton Climate Corps team is proud to join with our partners to plant these 1,000 trees bringing healthy change for our families and climate relief to all of Trenton.”

Watershed Executive Director Jim Waltman applauded the project and the partnerships involved. “Trees address numerous environmental problems by soaking up floodwaters, capturing carbon dioxide from the air to protect our climate, and cooling our cities in the summer heat,” he said.

By 2050 the new trees are expected to sequester nearly three million pounds of carbon dioxide, reduce two million gallons of stormwater runoff, and intercept more than 14 million gallons of rainwater, according to the Watershed Institute press release.

“Another great part of this is the connections that are made between the different groups,” Glovier added. “It’s good community building.”

In other news from the nonprofit environmental organization, the Watershed Institute held its 75th anniversary celebration and annual meeting on May 13 at the Watershed Center in Hopewell Township. Among the leaders and partners honored at the event were Shereyl Snider, community organizer with Urban Promise, Trenton/East Trenton Collaborative; Lawrence Township Environmental Committee Chair Annette Loveless; and, for contributions in environmental education, Slackwood Elementary School Principal Jeanne Muzi and Stephen Laubach, director of sustainability and science teacher at the Lawrenceville School.

—Donald Gilpin

—Grenville Hayes, Rydal, Pa.

“The woman who was sheep-shearing put her thumb in the sheep’s mouth to get it to relax and lie down. They can have up to 18 pounds of wool taken off!”

— Daniela Teo, Princeton

Laura: “I learned why the sheep stay so still and calm — their natural defense is to run, and when they can’t run they freeze and stay very still because that’s the only thing they have to defend themselves.”

—Laura Wiley with Amelia Lemmo, Lawrence Township

Violet: “I learned how to shear yearling sheep. They have a lot of body oil!”

—Violet, Iwen, and Felix Ho, Lawrence Township

Isles’ Series of Virtual Forums

Has Become an Annual Event

Celebrating its 40th anniversary during the pandemic in 2021, Isles, the Trenton-based community development organization, came up with the idea for a week-long series of free webinars, workshops, and panels focused on timely topics such as environmental concerns, violence prevention, and building community. The Virtual Forum was such a success — attracting more than 650 participants from New Jersey and beyond — that it has become an annual event.

This year’s Virtual Forum takes place Monday to Thursday, May 20-23, with sessions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The focus is Environmental Health on day one, Building Wealth on day two, Transportation and Mobility on day three, and Innovative Approaches to Violence Prevention on the final day. Each webinar is followed by a discussion.

“When we started, we really wanted to make sure we were sharing best practices and having a place for dialogue,” said Laura Fenster Rothschild, managing director of Isles’ Johnson Center for Learning and Impact. “We started off that first year just talking about what some of the hot topics were at the time. Last year, we talked about justice, and in 2022 it was equity and sustainability. This year, we’re thinking about the different areas that small cities need to tackle in order to make progress.”

The opening day will include a session titled “Maternal Health, Lead, and Racial Disparities,” with a nurse who is an expert in maternal health among the participants. Elyse Pivnick, senior director, environmental health at Isles, and Brian Buckley, executive director of labs and facilities at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI) at Rutgers University, will lead the discussion about research revealing that exposure to lead is a factor in health disparities into

adulthood. They will also talk about raising awareness and improving healthcare protocols to better serve women and families during prenatal and postpartum periods.

The webinar on building wealth includes “Micro by Mighty: Supporting Entrepreneurship in the U.S.”

The focus is on challenges faced by women, people of color, immigrants, and those of limited resources when trying to start a small business. On day three, “The Future of Public Transit in New Jersey” looks at the current state of affairs for transit in New Jersey, and how to make it better at connecting residents to employment, economic, and cultural opportunities.

On the final day, “Building Resilience: The role of Healthcare Providers in Community-based Violence Intervention” is the topic.

“We’re bringing practitioners together to share best practices and approaches to addressing communitybased violence,” reads a press release on the event.

“Healthcare providers play a crucial role in fostering resilience and promoting interventions that go beyond traditional healthcare settings, creating safer and healthier communities.”

Participants in past Virtual Forums have included a cross-section of people, and Rothschild expects a similar mix this time. “We get everyone from legislative officials to individuals from universities, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations,” she said. “And that’s the goal: to create a space where folks from different sectors can dialogue together and think about how community voices are centered. We want to make sure we are really doing what residents of those cities want and need.”

There is no deadline to sign up for the forum. Participants can attend all or any of the events. To register and get a complete schedule, visit isles.org.

—Anne Levin

Community Options Appoints Chief Compliance Officer

Community Options, the Princeton-based, national nonprofit organization supporting people with disabilities, has announced the promotion of Kerry Brady as chief compliance officer and vice president of New York operations.

Community Options develops housing and employment supports for 6,000 people with disabilities and their families across 12 states. The nonprofit manages over 650 community-based homes, including 40 homes across New York City, Syracuse, and Binghamton, N.Y.

“With her strong background in regulatory compliance and a proven track record of success, Kerry will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our operations align with industry standards and regulatory requirements,” said Robert Stack, Community Options’ president and CEO. “Her strategic insights and leadership will further strengthen our commitment to integrity and governance.”

Brady joined Community Options in 2020 as New York State director. In her new role, she will oversee quality improvement, training, and clinical services and continue to have oversight to the Operations Team in New York State.

“I am honored to step into this new role and continue building on our achievements since joining Community Options,” she said. “I look forward to working with the executive management team to lead our compliance efforts nationally and drive quality improvement outcomes and development throughout New York State.”

the 18 gardens around Princeton is

planting day on Saturday, May 18.

Free Garden Project Plans Planting Day

On Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Princeton Free Garden Project, an initiative of Send Hunger Packing Princeton (SHUPP) will hold its annual planting day to prepare gardens in 18 locations around Princeton for this year’s round of produce, and plant a variety of herbs, fruits, vegetables, lettuce, and flowers.

The goal of SHUPP has been to reduce food insecurity in Princeton by allowing residents to pick free produce grown on community soil. SHUPP started with shelf-stable food, which supplemented the diets of elementary school participants on weekends. After surveying the public, it became clear that fresh produce needed to be added to the mix.

The gardens were created not only to provide fresh produce, but also to teach individuals how to grow their own. Beds are currently located in the parking lot of Tortuga’s restaurant on John Street, the parking

lot of the YMCA, the children’s playground at the YWCA, the Arts Council of Princeton, Redding Circle, Princeton High School, and the clubhouse of Princeton Community Village. Additionally, SHUPP purchased two hydroponic gardens to educate students now housed at Princeton Middle School. Food pantries are located near each garden, where individuals can donate food or take what they need at their convenience.

For more information, visit shupprinceton.org or call (609) 285-3233.

Summer Fundraiser Planned

By Jewish Family Service

JFCS of Greater Mercer County, a nonprofit organization offering comprehensive social services and programs to thousands of area people of all ages and backgrounds, is hosting its annual fundraiser on Thursday, June 6 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Watershed Institute in Pennington. The annual fundraiser, Summer Sips & Sounds, will be a kickoff to summer with food, drinks, live music, and lawn games.

“We are very excited to return to an in-person program after three years of virtual events,” said Michelle Napell, JFCS executive director. “By moving our event from March to June, we’re hoping to welcome back those in our community who spend the winter in warmer areas.”

NRG Energy is being honored at the event for its longtime support of JFCS, specifically of the Mobile Food Pantry program. Event proceeds support all of the agency’s services including mental health counseling and support, senior services, youth outreach, and the onsite and mobile food pantries.

“NRG has been a valuable, consistent partner and even increased their annual support this past year,” said Helaine Isaacs, director of development. “This increase was more important than ever as our food pantry program served 27 percent more families over the previous year.”

Visit jfcsonline. org/2024sipssounds for more information.

Get ready to ride! Get Ready to Ride!

We are celebrating National Bike Month! Five times in May we will wait

Princeton street corner to give the first 6 bicyclists who

Mediterra

READY FOR PLANTING: One of

ready for the Princeton Free Garden Project’s annual

Mark Eastburn: Reptile Enthusiast, Research Leader, Science Teacher

Mark Eastburn, Princeton High School (PHS) science teacher and a leader of the school’s award-winning research program, reflected on some of the key experiences and influences in his life: an interest in reptiles, a Quaker upbringing, a semester-abroad program followed by two years in the Peace Corps after college, and an affinity for pursuing his own interests regardless of popular opinion.

The PHS research team, with its remarkable crosscultural Indigenous language project, was recently chosen for the second time as a National Grand Prize Winner in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition with a prize package worth $100,000 — the only school in the country to have won the national competition twice.

Eastburn first came to Princeton Public Schools as a Spanish teacher at Johnson Park Elementary School, where he taught for 10 years, then a science specialist at Riverside Elementary for seven years before coming to PHS in 2018, where he has taught chemistry, biology, and engineering, as well as overseeing the research program and serving as adviser to a wide variety of clubs. He has

a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and master’s degrees in biology from Villanova University and in neuroscience education from Columbia University Teacher’s College.

His own experience as a high school student was not a high point of his life. “I had some good teachers in high school who encouraged me,” he said. “Biology and chemistry were something I was interested in and I worked hard at that, but I did not have a good time as a teenager. I had so many bad memories. I threw out my yearbook. I didn’t enjoy middle school or high school at all.”

Science and animals, however, were two strong interests for him. “I’ve always been a science nerd,” he said. “And I’ve always loved animals.” Eastburn’s first job was in a pet store. “So I was bringing all kinds of weird things home to take care of,” he added. “That was where I really enjoyed what I was learning.”

He also recalled, “Every chance I got I was out in the woods — catching crayfish, looking at salamanders. The science thing was always close to me, especially the biology aspect of it.”

His mother, who was a nurse, loved animals too,

“But she did not like my interest in reptiles,” Eastburn noted. Starting out as a “dinosaur nerd” as a small child, from about fifth grade on he was keeping lizards, and by the time he got to high school he owned a large tegu lizard. “Almost without fail, when it escaped from its cage it would end up in my mother’s closet — it tortured my poor mother.”

He continued, “I was always interested in nature and animals. I was always working on gardens in my parents’ backyard — not necessarily what they wanted me to do, but I would dig things up and plant things and raise animals and find turtles.”

He added, “I’ve always been one to pursue my own interests, which are oftentimes not what the majority would see as valuable. I love to pursue things that no one else would think of studying or doing things that no one else would think of doing.”

Travel

As a biology major in college, he became interested in traveling. A study abroad program in Guadalajara, Mexico, caught his attention. “I really wanted to learn Spanish, and I could get away from school for a semester and go somewhere warm, and it was cheaper to do a semester there,” he recalled.

“I was also starting to get interested in human rights

and international development,” he noted. “I was raised a Quaker, so social justice and efforts to alleviate poverty have been important to me throughout my life.”

During the semester in Mexico he lived with a Mexican family, and he traveled around the country. The experience changed his life.

“I felt so welcomed there by Spanish-speaking people,” he said. “I felt like this was my place. These were my people. I’ve had a strong tie to Mexico ever since. Every chance I can go to Mexico, I go. It just had such an impact on me, and it also triggered my interest in going into the Peace Corps.”

Pursuing his love of Latin America and interest in International development, upon graduation from college, Eastburn joined the Peace Corps and headed to Panama, where he spent more than two years in a remote rural community in the mountains.

“Again it was a very welcoming community,” he said. “That’s another experience where I felt a very close connection to the Latino community. I’ve always been accepted by the Latino community. Traveling in Latin America I’ve rarely felt anything but love and warmth and welcome from the South American countries I’ve been to.”

In Panama Eastburn was “the volunteer at the end of the road,” as he described it, staying in a home with a dirt floor, no electricity, and a cold water tap outside the house for plumbing. But during the day he got a head start on his future career, as he helped to educate Panama farmers on improved agricultural techniques and vegetable gardening.

During the seven months of the rainy season the isolation increased, as the road would often wash out and the phone service would fail. But in the second week of his three months of training outside Panama City before he headed to the wilderness, Eastburn met his future wife.

of every ridiculous, crazy idea I ever had,” said Eastburn. “We were able to investigate so many different things with the turtles, and Bill let me put a frog pond in the courtyard, so we introduced frogs, and we had salamanders. All my childhood delights were able to come back in that time.”

He continued, “If Cirullo saw it was going to benefit students and benefit learning, he was 100 percent behind it, and so I had complete freedom to pursue all sorts of projects.”

One project Eastburn pursued started out with a study trip to North Carolina involving, again, turtles. “I came back to Riverside after being in North Carolina, and I said to my students, ‘The box turtle is the state reptile of North Carolina, isn’t that cool?’ And my students asked, ’What’s the state reptile of New Jersey?’ It turned out we didn’t have one.”

life. That’s something I’m still adjusting to.”

Building Bridges

In early 2001 she returned with him to the United States, where they got married. He found out about teaching job openings in New Jersey and was hired in the summer of 2001 as a Spanish teacher at Johnson Park (JP).

Into the Classroom

For the next 10 years Eastburn enjoyed teaching Spanish at JP, but he’d always wanted to be a science teacher. His wife was working as a certified nursing assistant, Their young son and daughter were growing up, and the family lived in Levittown in Bucks County, Pa.

A job change came in 2011, and it was science and reptiles that brought him to Riverside Elementary School, which was known to have a large contingent of turtles living on the playground.

A science job opened up at Riverside,” he said. “I’d always known about the turtles at Riverside, and I was so excited to go to the school that had the turtles.”

Eastburn cited Bill Cirullo, Riverside principal at the time before his death in 2016, as an important influence on his interests and career.

“He was so supportive

Eastburn and his students, along with students and teachers at Community Park, were able to coordinate a statewide effort over the next two years to have the bog turtle recognized as the state reptile. They worked to get a bill passed through the General Assembly, then the State Senate, and in June 2018 New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy came to Riverside to sign the bill into law.

“And I said, ‘I don’t think I can top this,’” said Eastburn. “That was an awesome opportunity where I was able to reach out to people in the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection. They all came to the signing. I met lots of people in the reptile community. It was one of those things that was so gratifying and fulfilling.”

In 2018 PHS was looking to expand its research program and needed a science teacher. Colleagues in the high school science department urged him to join them. “It was a perfect time to make that transition,” he said, but the transition was challenging.

“High school is very different,” he noted. “I could feel the tension and the anxiety. I could feel that there was such pressure for college and for whatever was going on in people’s personal lives. That came much more to the forefront as a high school teacher than as an elementary teacher. We become guides for the most difficult years of a child’s

Eastburn pointed out that he works with very diverse student communities. There are those who are “on a definite path towards college” and also those who are recent arrivals, perhaps unaccompanied minors, often unable to speak English and working five or six days a week outside of school. Eastburn’s fluency in Spanish and his understanding of Latino culture has served him well. “That helps a lot and allows me to help bridge these different communities and to help them work together,” he said. Eastburn explained, “The research program is one of those rare opportunities where all of these students can be pulled together. And that’s been the reason we’ve been able to win Samsung twice now and the New Jersey Student Climate Challenge, which we won last year.”

He continued, “The research program has that flexibility to allow any student who has the interest and the potential to discover their talents and abilities. I have several students I’ve recruited from the ESL program to do research and they’ve done phenomenal projects like what we’ve accomplished in the Samsung competition. We’ve had quite a few incredible success stories.”

PHS’ most recent Samsung award-winning project involved people training to speak the Indigenous Mam language, one of the most complicated languages in the world and the native language of a small contingent of PHS students who participated in the project.

As Eastburn looks to the future, he’s eager for more of the same. “My agenda for next year is to be doing the same thing I’m doing now,” he said. “In my current capacity there’s always something new to learn, something new to do. I really enjoy that.”

He went on, “I have so many things pulling me in different directions, but they’re all things that I want to do and ways in which I’m making a contribution to the community. I need to contribute in ways that my life experience has led me to be able to contribute. I can’t imagine doing anything else than what I’m doing.”

—Donald Gilpin

Mark Eastburn

Class Day is scheduled for Monday, May 27, following Reunions on May 23-26, and preceding graduation on Tuesday, May 28.

In responding to one of the Gaza protesters’ demands, for divestment and dissociation from companies involved in Israel’s military and apartheid policies, Eisgruber noted that the Council of the Princeton University Community Resources Committee had received divestment and dissociation requests from the protesting group and that it would be meeting on May 14 for an initial assessment of those requests.

“The Resources Committee will provide an opportunity to the protesting group to present their views,” he wrote. “The Committee will afford the same opportunity to other interested groups, whether they are in favor or opposed to the request.”

In response to demonstraters’ demands that charges and disciplinary action against students who had been arrested be dropped, Eisgruber stated that “the University is exploring offering students arrested for protest-related offenses the option to participate in a ‘restorative justice’ process” in which “the University would work to minimize the impact of the arrest on the participating students.”

He went on to explain, “The restorative justice option

would maintain student accountability: it would require students to accept responsibility for violating University policy, promise to avoid future violations, and reconcile with people significantly affected by their actions. At the same time, the University would rapidly conclude the University disciplinary process, making it possible for the students to join Commencement and receive their degrees along with their classmates.”

Eisgruber also emphasized that the University would entertain proposals for academic affiliations with Palestinian scholars, students, and institutions as well as proposals for new curricula in Palestinian studies. He also noted the importance of an affinity space for Palestinian students and the possibility of creating a working group on the experience of Palestinians at Princeton.

In earlier news, the protesters announced on Monday, May 13, that a new cohort of hunger strikers would be replacing the hunger strikers who had fasted for more than a week. “Due to health concerns of the 13 strikers who fasted for nine days, the first hunger strike wave ended, and the second wave has begun,” their message read. “In the tradition of rotary hunger strikes, seven new strikers are indefinitely fasting for a free Palestine.”

On Thursday, May 9, about 50 Princeton High School (PHS) students joined the

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University’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment for a short period in the afternoon, following a walkout from their Thursday afternoon classes and a procession up Moore Street to the University campus.

Princeton Public Schools

Acting Superintendent Kathie Foster noted in an email to parents that “our building monitors and administrators were nearby to ensure students’ safety.”

She went on to state that students would be accountable for their words and actions as “we will investigate today’s incidents through the lens of our PHS Code of Conduct,” and she emphasized, “we are equally committed to using this moment as an opportunity to facilitate a deeper and more empathetic understanding of each other, consistent with our mission to prepare all of our students to be knowledgeable and compassionate citizens of a global society.”

Asma Qureshi, one of the PHS student organizers reported, “When we got to the encampment, it was beautiful to see different students either participating in art projects, sitting with their peers, or having a discussion with people at the encampment about Palestine. Our goal was, and is always, peace, and I think our walkout truly reflected that.”

Reflecting on her experience, another PHS student organizer, Zia Hughes, added, “I will not cease to speak out on injustice when I see it. And I know there will always be others standing with me.”

—Donald Gilpin

STARTERS

WOOD-FIRED STARTERS

design by Orvana

design by Orvana art by Robin Resch

Jugtown continued

“There is more that really is needed to provide meaningful protection for the historic building and the streetscape,” Kim said. “The addition continues to tower and dwarf the historic building as a result of its height. Its mass and siting on the property, appropriateness and compatibility regarding the roof lines, style, and size of windows, and of material and other color schemes, are also a concern.”

HPC member Elric Endersby followed with a detailed presentation on the history of the Hornor House, comparing aspects of the building to Bainbridge House and other historic buildings in Princeton and Lawrenceville. “I thought it was important to have a better idea of the interior as well as the exterior,” he said.

Attorney Bruce Afran is representing the neighborhood group that is opposed to the proposal. Those expected to speak at the Tuesday hearing include resident and architect Cathy Knight, author and historian Clifford Zink, also of Jugtown; and fellow resident David Kinsey, a professional planner.

—Anne

Levin

JUNCTION

33 Princeton-Hightstown Rd Ellsworth’s Center (Near Train Station)

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

Memorial Day Parade Precedes the P-rade

The Spirit of Princeton Memorial Day Parade celebrates members of the military services on Saturday, May 25, starting at 10 a.m. The event takes place before the annual Princeton University Alumni P-rade, which begins at 2 p.m. Grand marshal and speaker is U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant Sara Deczynski, a 2019 graduate of Stuart Country Day School.

Residents are encouraged to wave their miniature American flags (provided at no cost by Spirit of Princeton) and greet the veterans and active members of the military as they march down Nassau Street to Monument Plaza. Rain or shine, the parade begins at the staging area of Nassau Street and Princeton Avenue. Those who are marching should arrive at 9:15. a.m. at the Monument Hall parking lot and take the shuttle bus to the parade staging area.

The parade route is one mile on Nassau Street ending at Monument Plaza, where a brief ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on the steps of Monument Hall. The celebration ends by 12 p.m.

After graduating from Stuart in 2019, Deczynski enrolled in the U.S. Air Force Academy and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor of science degree in military and strategic studies. She graduated third (first among the women cadets) in her Air Force Academy class out of 4,000 cadets.

Deczynski is the first student in Stuart’s history to

graduate from the Air Force Academy. Currently stationed at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., she is undergoing Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer Training and serves as an advisory board member of Zoomies Against Sexual Assault (ZASA).

All veterans are encouraged to march, as well as children from kindergarten to fifth grade who can ride in the Patriotic Bike Brigade.

Participating groups include the Princeton Police Department, Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, Princeton Fire Department, Princeton Mayor Mark Freda and Council members, MacGregor Pipe Band, American Legion Post 218, Operation Phoenix, Princeton Cranbury Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, Princeton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and several others as well as reenactor units.

Princeton Battlefield Society invites all participants and viewers to continue the commemoration with its “A Day of Remembrance” program at 1 p.m. at Princeton Battlefield State Park, 500 Mercer Street. The Prade that follows begins at the FitzRandolph Gate and then marches through the campus.

Visit spiritofprinceton. org for further information about participating and donating.

Princeton-Blairstown Center Raises Funds for Program

On Friday, May 3, the Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) held its annual signature fundraising event, Soiree Under the Stars, at Springdale Golf Club. PBC increases equity and access to high quality outdoor education for students from historically marginalized communities.

Nearly 150 people attended the event, which raised over $70,000. Attendees heard first hand about the impact of the center from A’Zir Carey, a high school student who has attended the summer program and shared how his experience impacted his communication skills and interconnectedness.

“During my tenure as a

high school student, I have noticed that the communications skills that I learned at PBC’s Summer Bridge Program apply to my everyday life,” said Carey, a member of several varsity teams and an accomplished scholar. “The communitybuilding activities, especially in the midst of the outdoors, left an imprint on my heart that I carry to this day,” he said.

The Community of Christina Seix Academy was honored with the 2024 Frank Broderick Award, and Princeton University received the 2024 Reverend David H. McAlpin Jr. Community Champion Award. Funds raised support the Summer Bridge Program, which provides hundreds of students form Trenton and Newark with summer programming designed to combat summer learning loss with handson curriculum focused on literacy, social emotional learning, and STEAM as well as outdoor experiences such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming, rope sources, and roasting s’mores over a campfire.

Fellow, AAMLFellow, AAML

Fellow,RisingAAML Star

BLAIRSTOWN EVENT: Princeton-Blairstown Center President and CEO Pam Gregory, center, congratulated Head of School Rob Connor left, who accepted the Frank Broderick Award on behalf of the Community of Christina Seix Academy. Former program participant A’Zir Carey, right, was the student speaker.

Improvement Projects

continued from page one shared lanes and bike boulevards on various streets. Riverside Drive would have a bike lane going northbound, and shared lane markings southbound. This would require the elimination of the parking lane in front of Riverside Elementary School.

Councilwoman Eve Niedergang expressed concerns that removing parking “might lead to lowering of the friction that reduces the speed of cars. Are we compromising safety by taking away parking, by encouraging the cars to speed?” she asked. Purcell said there is a balance that takes place. “We might see increased speeds, but if we see more bikes on the roadway, we’ll see reduced speeds,” he said. “I don’t see it as a problem.”

Princeton’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PBAC) supports the replacement of existing markings, the installation of new ones of Chestnut Street, Moore Street, and Walnut Lane, and requests consideration of other changes.

Purcell said future Council

action would be needed to prohibit parking by ordinance on Riverside Drive between Nassau Street and Prospect Avenue, on Hodge Road between Bayard Lane and Library Place, and Hamilton Avenue between Moore Street and Linden Lane. The PBAC should review the plan and recommend changes to be incorporated into the Master Plan, he said.

Since the discussion was labeled a work session, no action was taken. But members of Council were enthusiastic about the report.

Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros thanked the PBAC and the town’s engineering department for their work on the issue.

“This is such an important subject as we are increasing number of electric vehicles. There are just more vehicles on the road,” she said. “We just need to find safer ways to get kids, and experienced bikers, and bikers like me, and people on scooters to move around safely. I’m really excited we are moving forward with this project.”

A complete outline of the plan is available in the agenda packet for the meeting at princetonnj.gov.

—Anne Levin

Mercer County to Host Procurement Event

Mercer County will host a purchasing event for businesses on Thursday, May 23 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake, 334 South Post Road, West Windsor. Entitled “Doing Business with New Jersey, Mercer County and our Towns,” the event is a partnership with the State of New Jersey and local purchasing offices to highlight the many aspects of government procurement, and what a business needs to know in order to secure a contract for products or services.

Mercer County Executive Dan Benson will welcome attendees. State, county and municipal government officials will focus on how businesses can expand their footprint into the public sector and benefit by becoming certified as a Women, Minority, Veteran, and Disabled Veteran Owned Business, and/or as a Small Business Enterprise. Mercer County currently seeks to strengthen its Set Aside program by attracting the participation of more New Jersey State Certified Businesses to apply to our bids and RFP procurement processes.

“This is our first time collaborating with our local municipal partners so that we can educate our local businesses on the opportunities that exist at every level of government,” said Benson. “When we give local small businesses the tools they need to compete fairly in bids and RFP procurement processes, we strengthen

flow back into our community”

In addition, businesses will hear from the Mercer County Office of Economic Development on business programs and incentives, some Mercer municipalities regarding procurement opportunities, the State of New Jersey on the NJSTART procurement process, and the Small Business Development Center regarding business and counseling services. All attendees are asked to bring their capability statement to the program.

The event is free but businesses must register ahead of time. Call (609) 9896059.

Global Architecture Firm Awards Grant for Planters

Sustainable Princeton was awarded $12,741 by the HDR Foundation to support the construction and installation of galvanized steel downspout planters filled with native plants in neighborhoods across Princeton. The grant helps Sustainable Princeton fulfill two of its strategic focus areas — increasing community resilience to climate change and protecting the local ecosystem.

As climate change brings more extreme flooding events, the downspout planters, filled with native, pollinator-friendly plants, will help collect stormwater runoff and reduce flooding in vulnerable neighborhoods. The planters will be installed at properties located within the Witherspoon Jackson neighborhood, at properties owned and managed by Princeton Community Housing (PCH), and at a property managed by Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP).

“Every time we experience an extreme weather event, like a storm or a flash flood, we see firsthand how vulnerable our community is to

WELCOME INTERNS: The Sourland Conservancy has started this season’s planting with its newest interns, Sam Guman, left, and Danielle Deering. This spring, they will plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers; install deer fences; manage invasive species; and lead volunteer groups. Since 2020, the Sourland Conservancy’s staff, volunteers, and interns have partnered with landowners in the region to plant 45,000 native trees and shrubs. These plantings will help offset the loss of over one million trees due to the invasive emerald ash borer. For more information, visit sourland.org.

flooding and it’s essential to support our neighbors that are the most impacted,” said Christine Symington, executive director of Sustainable Princeton. “We are grateful to our neighbors in the Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood, PCH, and HIP for working with our team on this project and also to HDR for providing the funding and expertise in the construction and design of the planters to make this project a reality.”

This project plans to install at least 20 downspout planters — a type of green infrastructure — that can retain roughly 100 gallons of stormwater each. The native plant species selected do well in planters, so the property owners won’t have to do much to maintain them once they are established.

“For many years, it has been my desire to find an appropriate project for HDR and Sustainable Princeton to pool our resources, and this small grant and the volunteer effort that will accompany it seems the perfect opportunity,” said Jim Burton, design principal and employee sponsor. “Clearly, HDR’s stated objectives based on the Three Design Pillars align very closely with Sustainable Princeton’s mission. Sustainable Princeton is a well-known and important organization in the Princeton area; for HDR to partner with them is the most natural proposition and will be to the very clear benefit of both groups.”

Project planning is underway and construction is projected to begin this June and finish by the fall.

TOWN TOPICS

is printed entirely on recycled paper.

Princeton Planning Board Meetings Should Be Held in Hybrid Format

To the Editor:

I “attended” the two Master Plan sessions of the Princeton Planning Board, and though it was nice to invisibly gobble a snack during the Zoom session, I found it very much wanting — and bordering on undemocratic — in its elimination of the live element. Others felt frustrated by this, too.

With a Zoom-only format, there’s no way to “take the temperature” of the room, and no way to communicate approval or disapproval of what members of the public say. Equally bad, you can’t know who’s there, and you can’t interact with them afterwards. The COVID-19 pandemic has been over for a while now, and our public meetings should be true meetings of the public again.

Princeton Council, the governing body of this town, should promptly require that the Planning Board’s meetings

be held in a hybrid format — that is, both in person and via Zoom. That way, those who can’t attend in person might still virtually join the meeting. It is a little more challenging, but with competent technical assistance it is perfectly feasible and will be well worth it. Council does hybrid meetings; the Planning Board ought to, too.

Citizens really need to be able to interact with one another at a public meeting, to see who shows up, to participate in their democracy in ways that are not so controlled and sterile — these encounters are invaluable. And townspeople and their public servants need to be able to look each other in the eye and stand in each other’s presence.

Every election year, candidates routinely promise greater transparency and openness in government, and claim that they will embrace the participation of the citizenry. This is Council’s chance to do just that.

RONALD BERLIN Jefferson Road

Writing in Support of Democratic Candidate Dan Dart for Congress

To the Editor:

Dan Dart is challenging Bonnie Watson Coleman in the Democratic primary for U.S. Congress, and I heartily endorse his candidacy.

Dan is socially progressive and fiscally responsible. He is open-minded and willing to seek compromise for the betterment of all New Jersey 12th Congressional District constituents and the country at large. Go to danieldart. com to learn more about why Dan is running.

Too many congresspeople are stuck in ideological warfare. We need to elect someone who will work with others to promote civil discourse and effect change for the common good.

I have been living in Princeton for 40 years. Never before have I felt so disconnected from my congressperson. Her positions on some critical issues are out of step with mine and probably with many others in our district.

Let’s vote for a change in representation in Washington. Vote for Dan Dart!

RICHARD LEVINE Mason Drive

Noting that All Are Welcome At Broadmead Swim Club

To the Editor:

I was disheartened to read all the letters sent into Town Topics and other local publications lamenting about the impending closure of Nassau Swim Club (NSC). I am hoping that Princeton University reverses its decision so that people can continue to enjoy NSC, especially those families who have had generations of members attending NSC over the years.

I have not had the pleasure of swimming at NSC, but from what I know of the pool, it seems very similar to Broadmead Swim Club (Broadmead) in Princeton, to which my family and I have been members for the past several years. Small, quaint, neighborhood-focused pools are wonderful summer destinations in Princeton, and both NSC and Broadmead provide immense value to the University and overall town community. I truly feel for NSC members who are faced with losing their neighborhood pool, as I would feel the same way if Broadmead had to close. If the University does, in fact, finalize its decision to terminate its lease to NSC, I invite everyone who has been affected to please consider joining Broadmead. All members of Broadmead are lovely and we all feel very passionate about the pool in much the same way that the authors of the aforementioned letters do about NSC. It would be sad to lose NSC, but please know that NSC members will always be welcome to find a new “home” at Broadmead, where all are welcome. More information can be found on the swim club’s website at broadmeadswimclub.com.

LEON LUM Princeton Avenue

Letters to the Editor Policy

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

Letters must be no longer than 500 words and have no more than four signatures.

All letters are subject to editing and to available space.

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

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

When necessary, letters with negative content may be shared with the person/group in question in order to allow them the courtesy of a response, with the understanding that the communications end there.

Letters to the Editor may be submitted, preferably by email, to editor@towntopics.com, or by post to Town Topics, PO Box 125, Kingston, N.J. 08528. Letters submitted via mail must have a valid signature.

Books

Author Judith Lindbergh Portrays

Women Warriors in New Novel

Author Judith Lindbergh will be joined by poet and novelist Colby Cedar Smith to discuss Lindbergh’s recently released novel, a sweeping tale about ancient women warriors, Akmaral. The event is at the Princeton Public Library on Sunday, May 19 at 11 a.m. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. for coffee and pastries. A book signing will follow.

Before the Silk Road had a name, nomads roamed the Asian steppes and women fought side by side as equals with men. Like all women of the Sauromatae, Akmaral, for whom the book (Regal House Publishing, $19.95 paperback) is named, is bound for battle from birth, training as a girl in horsemanship, archery, spear, and blade. Her prowess ignites the jealousy of Erzhan, a gifted warrior, who she must unite with to defeat Scythian renegades, according to the publisher. Among their captives is the enigmatic Timor, who refuses to be broken, even as he is enslaved. He fascinates Akmaral but as attraction grows to passion, she is blinded to the dangerous alliance forming between the men who bristle against the clan’s matriarchal rule. Faced with betrayal, Akmaral must find the strength to defend her people and fulfill her destiny.

Drawn from legends of Amazon women warriors from ancient Greece and recent archaeological discoveries in Central Asia, Akmaral is a bout a powerful woman who must make peace with making war.

Says Laurir Lico Albanese, award-winning author of Hester, “If you love Madeline Miller’s Circe, you must read Akmaral. Lindbergh delivers a breathtaking story filled with

Durham Examines Black Melancholy, Genius at Theological Seminary Event

Author I. Augustus Durham joins Princceton University’s Kinohi Nishikawa on Wednesday, May 22 at 6 p.m. to discuss his new book, Stay Black and Die: On Melancholy and Genius.

vivid characters, haunted landscapes, powerful battle scenes, and a love story you will not soon forget.”

Lindbergh’s debut novel, The Thrall’ s Tale , published by Viking, was an IndieBound Pick, and a Borders Original Voices Selection. She provided expert commentary on the History Channel’s series Mankind: The Story of All of Us. She received a 2024 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and is the founder and director of The Writers Circle, a creative writing center based in New Jersey.

Moderator Smith is an award-winning poet, novelist, and educator who has spent the last 20 years teaching creative writing and storytelling workshops in elementary and secondary schools, art museums, nature centers, community centers, and corporations. Her poetry has been published in numerous reviews and magazines, and has been a finalist for poetry prizes including The Iowa Review Poetry Award, the New Letters Poetry Prize, the Colorado Prize for Poetry; and a semifinalist for the 92Y “Discovery”/Boston Review Poetry Prize. Smith received a New Jersey Council on the Arts Fellowship in Poetry. Her debut novel in verse, Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit, was chosen for many awards and recommendations, including a 2021 Goodreads Choice Best Poetry Nominee, A Kid’s Book Choice Finalist for Stellar Storytelling, and a 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver medal for YA Fiction. She holds a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Colorado College, and a master’s degree in arts in education from Harvard University.

The discussion of the book is at Princeton Theological Seminary’s Wright Library’s Theron Room. For in-person attendance, registration through the link provided by the Princeton Theological Seminary is requested at pts.events/ stay-black-and-die/. Virtual attendance via Zoom can be arranged for this livestreamed event through the registration process as well.

In Stay Black and Die , (Duke University Press, $28.95 paperback) Durham examines melancholy and genius in Black culture, letters, and media from the 19th century to now. Drawing on psychoanalysis, affect theory, and Black studies, Durham explores the Black mother as both a lost object and a found subject often obscured when constituting a cultural legacy of genius across history.

He analyzes the works of Frederick Douglass, Ralph Ellison, Marvin Gaye, Octavia E. Butler, and Kendrick Lamar to show how Black cultural practices and aesthetics abstract and reveal the lost mother through performance, and he uses psychoanalysis to develop a theory of racial melancholy while “playing” with affect theory to investigate racial aesthetics, according to the publisher.

Kevin Quashie, author of Black Aliveness, or A Poetics of Being, says that in Stay Black and Die, Durham “offers a gendered vernacular psychoanalytic reading of this question, which is to say that he offers a lush blues of genius’ complicated sustenance

How Not To Age Is Topic of Talk

Wondering how you will age, or how to age in a healthy way? According to Michael Greger, M.D., getting older does not have to mean getting sicker.

New York Times bestselling author Greger will offer his views of longevity and healthy aging on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (UUCP), 50 Cherry Hill Road. The event is presented by Princeton Eats Plants in partnership with Labyrinth Books, UUCP, and Pant Powered Metro.

Greger, founder of NutritionFacts.org, is the author of How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older (Flatiron Books, 2023), an extensive review of recent medical research. He is a graduate of Cornell University School of Agriculture and Tufts University School of Medicine, and the author of How Not to Die.

Friends of Lawrence Library Holds Sale of Used Books

Shop the Friends of the Lawrence Library May Book Sale for thousands of used, gently-read books for readers of all ages. The sale opens to the general public on Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m. and ends Monday, May 20 at 4:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township. Payment is by cash or check only.

A special Early Admission event will be held on Thursday, May 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. where the public will have the first chance to get some deals. Entry to the Early Admission is free for current members of the Friends of the Lawrence Library, $5 for the general public, and $20 for patrons with scanners. This event is the only time scanning devices will be permitted.

and insistence. And right there in this blues is the centrality of Black femaleness — the maternal — that dapples the engagement with the object that is and is not lost. This richly researched book showcases genius as a notion traced through its motherline and, as such, Durham’s brilliance is a stay in every sense of the word: a hold, a refusal, a plea, and an inhabitance, a longing in which one can linger.”

Durham is an assistant professor of English at City University of New York’s Lehman College, whose research focuses on Black study from the 19th to the 21st centuries. His work has been published in Black Camera: An International Film Journal, Palimpsest: A Journal on Women, Gender, and the Black International, and Journal of Religion and Health. Previously he was the President’s Postdoctoral Fellow in English at the University of Maryland.

Nishikawa specializes in 20th and 21st century African American literature, book history, and popular culture. His first book, Street Players: Black Pulp Fiction and the Making of a Literary Underground, was published by the University of Chicago Press in 2018. His major work in progress is Black Paratext, a study of how book design has influenced the production and reception of African American literature from the rise of the modern paperback in the 1940s to the contemporary book arts scene.

The event is presented in partnership with the Princeton Theological Seminary’s Betsey Stockton Center for Black Church Studies and with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Inspired by the dietary and lifestyle patterns of centenarians and residents of “blue zone” regions where people live the longest, Greger presents accessible, and evidence-based methods to preserve the body functions that keep one feeling youthful, both physically and mentally. How Not to Age lays out practical strategies for achieving ultimate longevity.

Admission is $15. Books will be available for sale for $40 each. Greger will sign books after the talk and Q&A. The registration link is at plantpoweredmetrony .com under upcoming events.

Beginning Friday at 10 a.m., entry to the sale is free and open to the general public. No scanning devices will be allowed. The book sale will be open Friday, Saturday, and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday will be $5 a bag. Bring your own bag.

Book donations for the Friends of the Lawrence Library book sale are being accepted at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch. Proceeds from the book sale fund programs and other library services that benefit library patrons of all ages. For more information about the library and its programs, call (609) 883-8294 or visit mcl.org.

Of Tom Ripley and Patricia Highsmith, the Barnard Graduate

I’ve been writing the same sort of thing since I was 15 years old — about people who are a little cracked.

T—Patricia Highsmith (1921-1995)

he line I’ve quoted is from an August 1991 interview Patricia Highsmith granted the International Herald Tribune shortly before publishing the last novel in the Ripley series, Ripley Under Water (Knopf 1992), which I read in a day, swept along in a fever of morbid anticipation. Whenever that most civilized of psychopaths Tom Ripley is involved, it’s not what happens next that carries you along but the need to know when it will happen and to whom and how, and then how Ripley will get away with it, which he always does. There’s no denying you’re in the grip of the writer Graham Greene called “the poet of apprehension.”

Even before she started writing about “cracked” people, Highsmith was reading Karl Menninger’s The Human Mind, which she found in her parents’ library when she was “8 or 9,” and going through “case histories with footnotes about murders, sadists, crackpots, if they could be cured or not and what the psychiatrist decided to do about them.”

The Photograph

The girl who explored The Human Mind as a child is sizing up the world at 21 from the cover photo of Patricia Highsmith: Her Diaries and Notebooks, 1941-1995. The picture was taken in July 1942, around the time she was telling her diary “Each person carries around in himself a terrible other world of hell and the unknown” which in the course of life he may see once or twice, “when he is near death or much in love, or when he is deeply stirred by music, by God or by sudden fear. It is an enormous pit reaching below the deepest crater of the earth, or it is the thinnest air far beyond the moon.”

Go fishing in the diaries and notebooks and you’ll find numerous indicators that you’re sharing the intimate thoughts of the novelist Greene says has you “constantly looking over your shoulder.” If, however, you came of age loving New York City, jazz, books, Times Square, the Village, and White Tower hamburgers, you’ll find a 21-year-old companion who delights in the city and shares your joy right down to lines like this one from October 14, 1942: “Very happy indeed. Had a hamburger at the old White Tower on Greenwich & went for a stroll down Eighth Street.” I may not have anything much in common with the notorious, hard-drinking, sex-crazed femme fatale who it’s said went around toting a handbag full of pet snails, but I’ve walked that late-night walk to the corner of Greenwich and Seventh Avenue South, and even though I had to grow up to “get” Henry James, I feel at one with the writer who fell in love with writing on March 28, 1942: “Read The Ambassadors this A.M.

very happy. Want to work — want to write — express somehow what I feel about the thrilling and wonderful impracticability of being in love with it.”

All that said, when I look at the face on the cover of Diaries and Notebooks after reading the passage about the “world of hell and the unknown,” I know that Highsmith has already “been there,” from “the deepest crater” to “the thinnest air.” She’s looking right at me, one eye in the shadows, the other sizing me up the way Tom Ripley sized up his first victim Dickie Greenleaf in the charged moment before attacking him with an oar, clubbing him to death, and heaving his body in the ocean. The seminal murder in Highsmith’s fiction takes place in her 1955 novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, which was in fact inspired by The Ambassadors , wherein a rich American sends an envoy to Europe to rescue a wayward son. While it’s easy to imagine James throwing Ripley out the window after reading the murder scene, my guess is he would find the identity theft plotline fascinating.

The Week of Ripley

The binge began with Steven Zaillian’s dazzling new Netflix series, filmed, brilliantly, in black and white, in striking contrast to the Mediterranean light of the Ripley films that preceded it, which were all shot in glorious color. The murder scene in Zaillian’s Ripley is a visual tour de force, with the sea itself depicted as if roused by the sudden violence of the act, Ripley flung from a boat that seems to be charging through the water with its own malevolent power, the body ultimately propelled to the depths as if shot by a cannon. When Matt Damon’s Ripley kills Jude Law’s Dickie Greenleaf in Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), it’s ugly, awkward, and leaves a bad taste; the same is true in René Clément’s Purple Noon (1960), when the most glamorously unlikely of all Ripleys, Alain Delon, prevails in a clumsy fight.

represents a serious threat from a new neighbor, sending Ripley’s constructive paranoia into overdrive because the caller not only knows Ripley’s story, he’s actually dragging the river for the remains of the man Tom clubbed to death with a wine bottle (of a superior vintage of course) five years before. And when the bagged remains are dumped on Ripley’s palatial doorstep and the gendarmes summoned, Msr. Tom alertly and expeditiously stows the bag in his brown Renault, shares a gin and tonic with his friend Ed, and puts Brahms’s Opus 39 on the CD player, “a series of sixteen brilliant waltzes played on the piano.... Tom felt the drink at once, but he also felt the Brahms making his blood run faster. One rapid and thrilling musical idea followed another, as if the great composer were deliberately showing off.”

So is Highsmith, with her subsequent blending of Brahms and forensics. After the drink, Ripley and his accomplice deal with the bones, the head is missing (“probably rolled off don’t you think? Cartilage dissolved.”)

Highsmith shares Ripley’s contempt for the tiresome, pernicious, deeply annoying adversary she’s created. For over 300 pages, she has you lusting for the denouement, a vicarious Tom Ripley following her into the “other world of hell and the unknown.”

A New York Romance

In the end, I’m drawn back to the face on the cover of Diaries and Notebooks, for none of the characters in the Ripley books (or films) are as complex and compelling as Highsmith herself, who would sometimes sign copies to friends “with love from Tom (Pat).” One thing’s certain, the seductive young woman in this photograph has designs on the man taking her picture.

sex.” Later: “I should like very much to sleep with him.... Being with him is like reading a wonderful poem — by Whitman, Wolfe, or the First Voice himself. He reads such things into me, but I am mute beside him.”

“The Strangest Day”

On August 16, she writes: “I think this is the strangest day of my life. At any rate I am nearest to falling in love with Rolf T. Met at Lex & 59, rode up to Van Cortlandt park.... It rained like mad & we got soaked. Then we sat in my room and talked. He looked over all my books. Especially liking Blake and Donne. It was actually fun standing there with him & very strange because it was fun — the simple reason is he is the only man who ever knew all about me ... So we watched the boats and the lights and he told me all about Hamburg [the setting director Wim Wenders chose for his Ripley film, The American Friend ].... Then we walked to the cobblestoned street that was deserted & stood there over an hour. He kissed me a few times — rather a mutual thing for a change. It was quite wonderful & perfect, and for several moments I could see happiness and read it in the sky like a strange new word written.... So tonight I am new, I am a new person — and who knows what will come of it?”

By October 9, it’s all over (all but a lifelong friendship): “I do not want the lover who refreshes me with the harmony of his voice, the tones in his throat as he reads me Blake, nor do I want the lover who cleaves unto me, whose heart is my heart, whose soul is ever in communion with mine tho we are apart. Give me rather the lover (or the loved) who drives me mad with the antithesis of all your peace, who is not spiritual except in his most ruthlessly physical moods, who never heard of Blake and doesn’t want to — Give me only the beloved with a question and a mystery to solve, who changes faster than I can follow, whose every gesture, breath, movement is an intense delight to me.”

The Barnard Graduate

FHighsmith returns to the scene of the crime in Ripley Under Water, a postmortem for the whole dark driven Ripley enterprise that begins with a prank phone call from an antagonist pretending to be Dickie Greenleaf risen from the ocean depths. The grisly, giggly phone call

In August 1942, Highsmith mentions posing for a “quite impracticable & wild” photographer named Rolf Tietgens, who, as she puts it in her first entry about him, “eyes me like a wolf.” After showing her the photos, “two of which are good,” Rolf says he wants to go for a walk with her that Sunday, and she’s already wondering if she could “be in love” with him. He’s gay, she thinks she’s bi, and “neither of us will admit it can be the opposite sex, and both of us can excuse ourselves by saying it is not, of course, the opposite

inally, I’ll confess that my preferred Highsmith is not the alleged antiSemite who dedicated Ripley Under Water “To the dead and the dying among the Intifadeh and the Kurds, to those who fight oppression in whatever land, and stand up not only to be counted but to be shot.” The person I’m keeping company with is the Barnard graduate who writes on August 11, 1942: “I am no longer fascinated by the decadent, much less captivated by its color, variety, and sensational possibilities in literature. And oddly enough, it has been the war that made the change. The war makes a writer, perhaps makes everyone, think of what he loves best.”

—Stuart Mitchner

F IRST TH URSDAY S AT THE FARM

ADISTINCTIVE DINNERSERIES

Hosted at The Farminary, Princeton Theological Seminary’s 21acre sustainable farm, this series features different scholars, activists, and artists offering short talks or being interviewed over dinner. They are paired with a world-class chef who prepares the meal with a portion of the produce coming straight from the farm. Each event in the series will be capped at 25 people for a more intimate experience.

No big presentations. Just big ideas and delicious food.

June 6, 2024

Chef Jesse Jones is a classically trained chef and author renowned for his modern approach to southern cuisine. A native of Newark, NJ, Chef Jesse's culinary DNA was developed during childhood summers in Snow Hill, North Carolina where his grandmother's cast iron stove was the source of many memorable food experiences. His catering company, Chef Jesse Concepts, has served celebrity clientele including Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Tyler Perry, John Legend, and more. In 2010, he won the title of Ultimate Chef of Bergen County, NJ.

Featuring Chef Jesse Jones

Performing Arts

FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON: Westminster Conservatory Honors Music Program students, from left, Julianna Wong, Madeleine Nieman, and Tanvi Patl, will perform with the Westminster Community Orchestra on Sunday, May 19.

Community Orchestra Performs On Westminster Campus

The Westminster Community Orchestra, conducted by Ruth Ochs, will present its season finale “Nature and Magic” on Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. in Hillman Hall in the Marian Buckelew Cullen Center on the Westminster Campus on Walnut Lane. Suggested admission is $10 (cash) which will be accepted at the door. Audience members requiring seating assistance should arrive at 2:30 p.m.

The orchestra’s final concert of the season will feature Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G major, his tribute to the beauty of the Bohemian countryside; and Scene 1 from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which will be performed by Tanvi Patil, Julianna Wong, and Madeleine Nieman, students from Westminster Conservatory’s Honors Music Program. The students are coached by Danielle Sinclair.

“We are delighted to end our performance season with Dvorák’s lyrical representation of his beloved Bohemian landscape and honored to work with these incredibly gifted students from the Westminster Conservatory’s Honors Music Program,” said Ochs.

The concert will also include Henry Mancini’s “Moon River,” arranged by John Moss.

Now in its 39th season, the Westminster Community Orchestra showcases

the artistry, commitment, and passion of a true community ensemble. Members are professional and amateur musicians from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They come from all walks of life but share a common goal: the desire to make music for themselves and their community.

For more information call (609) 921-7104 or email conservatory@rider.edu

Triangle Club Encore Show During Princeton Reunions

The Princeton Triangle Club, continuing its tradition of presenting an original musical comedy, will present an encore performance of the newest Triangle Show at McCarter Theatre during Princeton University’s reunions. Created by undergraduates, Ship Happens: A Cruisical! will play its final performances on Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 25 at 7 p.m.

“Climb aboard the SS Giznee Fairytale, a cruise with all of the amenities — buffets, shuffleboard, and even magic? While other passengers enjoy their luxurious journey, twins Isla and Lindsay venture below decks, only to be swept away in a current of schemes and whimsy. Come find out more at the swashbuckling, high-kicking, shipshow that is Ship Happens: A Cruisical. Directed by Marc Tumminelli, choreographed by Katelin Zelon, and music directed by Pete Mills,” reads a release on the show.

At 133 years, Princeton’s Triangle Show is the nation’s

oldest touring collegiate musical comedy troupe. Based at McCarter Theatre, “the House that Triangle Built,” Triangle creates an original mainstage musical every year. It is written, conceived of, and performed by students, and directed and choreographed by professionals. The club’s list of distinguished alumni includes F. Scott Fitzgerald, Class of 1917; Jimmy Stewart ’32, Brooke Shields ’87, Peter Mills ’95, Ellie Kemper ’02, and Catherine Cohen ‘13. This year’s members include over 100 students — writers, composers, marketers, technicians, and performers — who come from diverse backgrounds and academic interests but have a shared passion for original musical comedy.

Visit triangleshow.com/ tickets for more information. Use code STUTIX for student tickets.

Summer Chamber Series Plans 57th Concert Season

The Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts returns to Richardson Auditorium June 23-July 15. The free concerts are by well-known chamber music groups, “to expand summertime cultural and education opportunities for all,” reads a press release from the organization.

The season begins Sunday, June 23 at 4 p.m. with the Ulysses Quartet, performing music by Fanny Mendelssohn, Joan Tower, and Beethoven. Commentary will be provided Ruth Ochs,

conductor of the Princeton University Sinfonia; associate conductor of the Princeton University Orchestra; and director of small ensembles at Princeton University. A master class by the quartet with local young musicians will follow.

Next on Tuesday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. is the New Century Saxophone Quartet, performing music by Bach, Shostakovich, Nagao, and Dvorak. On Monday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m., the Phaeton Piano Trio plays works by Haydn, Felix Mendelssohn, and Dvorák. The final concert is Monday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m., when the Balourdet Quartet performs music by Mozart, Al-Zand, and Beethoven, with commentary by Ochs. Tickets are free, available one week before each concert at tickets. princeton.edu.

In addition to the regular season, the Madison Quartet will present a rehearsal demonstration and a performance of the first movement of Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, Death and the Maiden, at the Center for Modern Aging, 101 Poor Farm Road, on Saturday, June 8 at 4 p.m. Register at engage.cmaprinceton.org/component/ events/event/419.

The Summer Chamber Concerts was founded in 1968 by music journalist, pianist and cellist Barbara Sand. Audience members still recall sitting on the Graduate College lawn with blankets and picnic baskets for the concerts. Renovations at the Graduate College prompted a change of venue in 1991 to Richardson Auditorium in Alexander

Hall. Further information is at princetonsummerchamberconcerts.org or (609) 570-8404.

Film Sees Genocide Through a Child’s Eyes

The Trenton Film Society will present the world premiere of Once a Child Soldier on Saturday, May 18 at 1 p.m. as part of its celebration of documentaries produced by regional filmmakers, at Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton.

The 31-minute film was co-produced by Sopheap Theam and Princeton-based filmmaker Janet Gardner, who also directed. It is the latest documentary from The Gardner Documentary Group. The film explores the Cambodian genocide through the eyes of a former Khmer Rouge child soldier. In his own words, Sayon Soeun confronts his childhood experiences during Cambodia’s darkest hour, revealing what he witnessed and struggled with as he came of age.

“Soeun was abducted at the age of 6 and exploited by the Khmer Rouge, his family life and education stolen,” reads a press release from the Gardner group. “His recovery and redemption from unimaginable evil entails his transition from an orphanage in a refugee camp to his adoption by a loving Connecticut family.”

The film follows Soeun on a healing journey to Cambodia. He meets people who insist they are the family he thought was lost, and forgives himself for his complicity as a Khmer Rouge child soldier. The film builds to a conclusion as he

receives the test results that will confirm or refute his relationship to them. Now in his 50s, Soeun works and lives in Massachusetts with his wife and children.

“Sayon helped me realize how easily children can be exploited in war,” said Gardner. “I admire his ability to act as a mentor to children of his fellow refugees, helping them to enjoy the kind of childhood that he was denied.”

Gardner, a multiple award winner, founded The Gardner Group in 1990 to direct and produce documentaries that emphasize the human experience in the context of historical events. Cinematographer Kevin Cloutier is an Emmy award winner who has worked on CBS’ 60 Minutes and Bill Moyers Journal

Mill Hill Playhouse is at 205 East Front Street in Trenton. Visit trentonfilmsociety.org for more information.

Spring Exhibitions at Contemporary Art Center

The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster has announced three exhibitions on view through June 2.

“Echoes of Abstraction,” curated by John Reinking, brings together the work of four contemporary ceramic artists: Ruth Borgenicht, Eric Knoche, Joris Link, and Tina Opp.

In his curatorial statement, Reinking said, “Echoes of Abstraction” brings together four ceramic artists whose work celebrates the robust aesthetic of the three dimensional ceramic form and its relationship to abstract repetition. Each artist’s work represents a unique way of achieving its own visual tempo. The rhythm and repetition in these works create a mood of organized movement.

Reinking is an associate adjunct professor at Raritan Valley Community College and teaching artist and ceramics program manager at The Center for Contemporary Art. As a ceramic artist his work can be found in many private collections. He is represented by Peters Valley Craft Center and Connexions Gallery in Easton, Pa., and he exhibits in national group shows regularly.

“Lindsay Godin: Futurisms” presents the work of Lindsay Godin, who was born in central New Jersey and got her MA and MFA in studio arts (emphasis in photography) at the University of Iowa in 2018. She researches photography curricula and is a fine arts documentary photographer. Her photography sheds awareness of contemporary cultural norms and exploitation of place. Grodin is the photography coordinator and an assistant professor of photography and design at Valdosta State University in Georgia. She said, “The images in ‘Futurisms’ shed light on the endless continuum of mankind’s propensity and instinctive motive to ultimately claim the unexplored territories that are beyond planet Earth.”

The work of Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar is showcased in her solo exhibition, “Christine Sauerteig-Pilaar:

To Bare Witness.” When discussing her exhibition, she said, “The work reflects on the complexity of the human experience with fragility, decay, power, rage, anguish, convergence, and the ephemeral slipping through the materials like the thread I use to layer fabric and paper together.” Sauerteig-Pilaar is a contemporary artist living and working in New Jersey. She received her BFA from Parson’s School of Design in 1993, and after living in New York City, relocated to New Jersey where she has continuously experimented with mediums that led to the eclectic mixed media paper constructions she is most notably recognized for.

The Center for Contemporary Art is located at 2020 Burnt Mills Road in Bedminster. For more information, call (908) 234-2345 or visit ccabedminster.org.

Arts, History Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications

Mercer County and the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission (MCC&HC) are accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25)’s Local Arts Programs (LAP) Grant Program and History Re-Grant Program. This year’s applications will be accepted through a newly-launched online grant portal.

Through July 1, Mercer County art and historybased nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to apply for funding through these grant programs administered by the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage (MCDC&H). All qualifying applications will be reviewed by an independent grant review panel composed of professionals in both the history and art fields. Awarded organizations will be notified by the end of 2024.

“As Mercer County residents, we all benefit from the flourishing culture and educational opportunities fostered by nonprofit organizations focused on art and history,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “These grants are an important way for county government to support these organizations which enrich our community.”

Two Photography Exhibits

Coming to Gallery 14

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography in Hopewell will present exhibits by two of its members May 18 through June 16. Both are awardwinning artists who regularly exhibit in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They have also had images included in a variety of professional national and international media.

An opening reception with the artists is on May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m.

In “Small Takes On Big Places,” John Stritzinger presents come-a-little-closer views of architectural details in and around institutions of art, science, and industry. He finds unique and expressive compositions of the spaces created by architects and has received awards for this work. He has photographed sites long abandoned and buildings full of activity in various locations and cities.

The LAP Grant Program is open to all Mercer Countybased nonprofit [certified as 501(c) (3) or 501(c) (4) agencies by the IRS] organizations that have been in operation and have been providing arts programming/ services for at least two years. This state block-grant program, funded in large part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, provides essential support for the local arts community. The grants are intended to promote the growth and public accessibility of high quality, diverse, community arts organizations and projects.

Mercer County’s annual History Regrant Program is offered through a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission’s County History Partnership Program (CHPP) and the MCC&HC. History Re-Grants are available to Mercer County-based organizations that support and provide historical activities and history programming.

“The Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage has supported local art and history non-profits for years with the awarded funds granted through these opportunities,” said Idamis P. Margicin, division chief of the MCDC&H. “This year, with our new virtual grant portal, we hope to continue that trend, providing awards to the many dedicated organizations that keep both the art and history communities of Mercer County alive.”

The MCDC&H made the switch to a fully digital online grant portal with the intention of simplifying the application process. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying to either/both the FY25 Local Arts Programs (LAP) Grant Program and the FY25 History Re-Grant Program may apply by creating an account.

For more information about Mercer County Culture & Heritage grant opportunities, visit mercercounty.org/departments/ culture-and-heritage/ grants-information or contact the MCDC&H at (609) 989-6418 or cjohnstone@ mercercounty.org.

“Subjective Perspectives” features images by Dutch Bagley, whose typical work has specific characteristics including a very wide monographic tonal range, subject/object isolation, sepia tinting, and light direction, which all lead to a process for repeated consistency. He also captures images not usually associated with

this style. Some of his images reflect capturing camera movement, bold colors, minimalism, and compositing images in software to create something new and different. Transforming the images of what he sees and feels is what drives him to immerse himself in photographic processes every day.

Town Topics

est. 1946

®

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography is located at 14 Mercer Street in Hopewell. It is open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit gallery14.org.

a Princeton tradition!

“ECHOES OF ABSTRACTION”: Works by four ceramic artists are at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster through June 2. Two other exhibitions are also display at the center this spring.

“SMALL TAKES ON BIG PLACES”: Images by John Stritzinger are on view at Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography in Hopewell May 18 through June 16. Works by Dutch Bagley are also featured. An opening reception is on May 18 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Town Topics Green and Healthy

Sunday, June 9, 2024 | 4-6 pm

In Meredith’s Garden for Inspiration at the Johnson Education Center One Preservation Place, Princeton

Donald B. Jones Conservation Award Presented to: Liz Cutler, Sustainability Advocate

Special Recognition given to our Future Conservation Leaders: e Young Families of Baha’i e Ridgeview Conservancy Turtles Princeton Day School’s EnAct

3 Helping Hands

$100 per person

RSVP by June 1st

Sponsorships available to support our nonpro t mission. 22,298 acres of land preserved!

Mark Your Calendar TOWN TOPICS

Wednesday, May 15

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: “ Leighton Listens.” Princeton Councilman Leighton Newlin is on hand to discuss current events with members of the public, at Halo Pub, 9 Hulfish Street.

4-5 p.m .: “The Future of Girls’ Leadership,” for middle school girls and their families, at Stuart Middle School Resource Center, Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road. Stuartschool.org.

6:30 p.m .: Author Dr. Michael Greger discusses his book How Not to Age , followed by a Q&A and book signing, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road. Uuprinceton.org.

Thursday, May 16

10 a.m.-3 p.m .: Princeton Farmers Market is at Hinds Plaza. More than 30 vendors with local organic produce, pasture-raised meat and eggs, cheeses, fresh flowers, knife-sharpening, jewelry, and more. Live music. SNAP/EBT cards and matches accepted up to $10 a day. Princetonfarmersmarket.com.

10 a.m .: Meeting of the 55-Plus Club of Princeton at The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street, and online at princetonol.com/ groups/55plus. Princeton University professor Jacob Shapiro speaks on “Online Political Influence, Disinformation, and Other Challenges in the Modern Information Environment.” Free (suggested donation of $5).

1-4 p.m .: Special early admission event for Friends of the Lawrence Library May Book Sale, 2751 Brunswick Pike. $5 for general public, $20 for patrons with scanners. Mcl.org.

7 p.m.: Lawrence Community Band presents “Jazz: A Melting Pot of Music” at Lawrence Senior Center, 30 Darrah Lane East. Jazz favorites from Louis Armstrong to Michael Bublé. Free.

Friday, May 17

10 a.m-4:30 p.m .: Friends of the Lawrence Library May Book Sale, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Free. Mcl. org.

7 p.m .: Open Mic Night on Hinds Plaza, hosted by the Einstein Alley Musicians Cooperative. All are welcome to sign up to perform, or just listen. Princetonlibrary.org.

8 p.m .: The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Irish music duo Ivan Goff and Katie Linnane at Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane. $25 ($20 members, $10 students 12–22, $5 children 11 and under). Princetonfolk.org.

Saturday, May 18

9 a.m.-1 p.m.: West Windsor Farmers Market at Vaughn lot, Princeton Junction train station. Fresh produce and much more. Music by Carmen Maranco. Wwcfm.org.

10-11 a.m .: Mid-Day Toastmasters meets at The Mercer County Library, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, and via Zoom. Toastmasters.org.

10 a.m. and 12 p.m .: “Milk & Cookies” storytelling and music series for kids 3-8 at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. With Mil’s Trills. The 12 p.m. show is sensory-friendly. $5 includes a cookie and milk after the show. Stnj.org.

10 a.m.-4 p.m .: Corn Planting at Howell Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Watch planting, help shell and grind corn for pigs and chickens, and learn how corn is processed. Howellfarm.org.

10 a.m-4:30 p.m .: Friends of the Lawrence Library May Book Sale, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Free. Mcl. org.

10:30 a.m.: The Magic and History of Marquand Park, presented by members of the Marquand Park Foundation at the park on Lovers Lane. Free. Princetonhistory.org.

12-6 p.m .: Spring Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Music from 1-4 p.m. by Mark Miklos. Terhuneorchards.com.

12, 3 and 6 p.m.: The Trenton Film Society presents its Regional Documentaries Festival at Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton. Reception and awards ceremony follow. Trentonfilmsociety.org.

6 p.m .: The Best of the Princeton Singers concert, Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street. $40. Princetonsingers.org.

Sunday, May 19

11 a.m.: Author Judith Lindbergh is joined by Colby Cedar Smith to discuss her recent novel Akmaral at this Book Brunch event at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

12-6 p.m .: Spring Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Music from 1-4 p.m. by Mike & Laura. Terhuneorchards.com.

12-4:30 p.m .: The Courthouse Quilters Guild holds a workshop to make project bags, led by Randi Jones. Followed by a Guild meeting and lecture with trunk show. At Hunterdon County Complex building 1, Flemington. $20. Courthousequilters.org.

12:30-4:30 p.m .: Friends of the Lawrence Library May Book Sale, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Free admission, $5 a bag. Mcl.org.

1 p.m .: “Discovering Princeton at Morven” walking tour, led by the authors of Discovering Princeton: A Photographic Guide with Five Walking Tours. Space is limited, register at Morven.org.

1 p.m .: Teen Mental Health Fair at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon

Street. Relieve stress with games, arts & crafts, and more, led by Aligned Minds. Princetonlibrary.org.

1 p.m .: Carillon concert at the Princeton University Graduate Tower; listen from the lawn outside. Free, held rain or shine. Gradschool. princeton.edu.

1-2:30 p.m .: Tour of Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer Street. Learn about the Battle of Princeton and “ten crucial days” of 177677. Thomas Clarke House, the only remaining structure from the battle, will be open. $5. Pre-registration needed at Pbs1777.org.

3 p.m .: The Westminster Community Orchestra, led by Ruth Ochs, presents “Nature and Magic” at Hillman Hall in the Marian Buckelew Cullen Center on the Westminster campus, Walnut Lane. Works by Dvorak, Mozart, and Henry Mancini. $10 suggested admission. (609) 921-7104.

4 p.m.: Gathering in solidarity with the October 7 hostages, and a call for their release. Organized by a grassroots group of Israelis in Princeton. At Hinds Plaza.

Monday, May 20

Recycling

10 a.m-4:30 p.m .: Friends of the Lawrence Library May Book Sale, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Free admission, $5 a bag. Mcl.org.

11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Information session on “Accelerating Innovation: Funding Your Biomedical Technology Through the NIK SBIR/STTR Program,” at Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs, 303A College Road East. Princetonbiolabs.com.

Tuesday, May 21

9:30 and 11 a.m.: Read & Pick Program: Strawberries, at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Handson farm activity with stories for young children and caregivers. $12 per child. Terhuneorchards.com.

6 p.m .: Voting in Mercer County, a presentation by County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello and other officials at the Lawrence Township Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Mcl.org.

7 p.m .: McCarter Live at the Library presents playwright Winnie Holzman discussing the inspiration behind her new play, Choice , with director Sarah Rasmussen, members of the cast, and Princeton University professor Stacy Wolf. Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

Wednesday, May 22 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: “ Leighton Listens.” Princeton Councilman Leighton Newlin is on hand to discuss current events with members of the public, at Say Cheese, 183D Nassau Street.

5:30 p.m .: Princeton Storytelling Circle explores folk and fairy tales at Morven, 55 Stockton Street, focused on how Morven’s gardens grow. Princetonhistory.org.

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

6 p.m .: Author I. Augustus Durham discusses his book Stay Black and Die:

On Melancholy and Genius, with Kinohi Nishikawa, associate professor of English and African American studies at Princeton University. Registration required. Virtual on Zoom and in-person at the Theodore Sedgwick Wright Library of Princeton Theological Seminary. Princetonlibrary.org.

Thursday, May 23

10 a.m.-3 p.m .: Princeton Farmers Market is at Hinds Plaza. More than 30 vendors with local organic produce, pasture-raised meat and eggs, cheeses, fresh flowers, knife-sharpening, jewelry, and more. Live music. SNAP/EBT cards and matches accepted up to $10 a day. Princetonfarmersmarket.com.

Friday, May 24

8 p.m .: Ship Happens: A Cruisical, annual Princeton Triangle Show at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. $25-$250. Reunions alumni reception follows. Mccarter.org.

Saturday, May 25

9 a.m.-1 p.m.: West Windsor Farmers Market at Vaughn lot, Princeton Junction train station. Fresh produce and much more. Music by Tanglewood. Wwcfm.org.

10 a.m.: Spirit of Princeton Memorial Day Parade begins at the staging area, Nassau Street and Princeton Avenue, and continues down Nassau Street to Monument Hall, where a talk will be given at 11 a.m . by Stuart Country Day School graduate Sara Deczynski, U.S. Air Force second lieutenant. All veterans are encouraged to march; kids from kindergarten to fifth grade can ride in the Patriotic Bike Brigade. At 1 p.m., “A Day of Remembrance” is held at Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer Street. All are invited. Spiritofprinceton.org.

10 a.m.-4 p.m .: Haying and Wagon Rides at Howell Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Howellfarm.org.

12-6 p.m .: Spring Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Music from 1-4 p.m. by Jerry Steele. Terhuneorchards.com.

7 p.m .: Ship Happens: A Cruisical, annual Princeton Triangle Show at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. $25-$250. Reunions alumni reception follows. Mccarter.org.

7-10 p.m .: Café Improv, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street. Live performances of music, poetry, and comedy. $2. Cafeimprov.com.

Pennington Adult Living Services (PALS) Offers Program for Special Needs Adults

You never can predict how one step, one decision can set in motion a series of events that lead to something unexpected, and yet with ramifications that will benefit people for years to come.

IT’S NEW To Us

Consider PALS: that is, Pennington Adult Living Services. This organization offers programs, activities, and learning opportunities for adults with special needs. Founded in 2017 by Sergio and Violetta Neri and Svein Hansen, it has filled an important need for adults with a variety of conditions and challenges, including the autism spectrum, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and seizure disorders, among others.

PALS was inspired by Sergio Neri’s son, Davide, now 32 years old, who faces the challenge of autism.

“Our family has experienced the impact of autism for almost three decades, and has supported local autism intervention programs for an equally long time,” explain Sergio and Violetta Neri, who also own the Hopewell Valley Vineyards in Pennington.

Meaningful Activities

“We know wholeheartedly how challenging it can be to overcome some of the obstacles associated with an autism spectrum diagnosis,” they continue. “Establishing meaningful activities, teaching functional self-help and home living skills, improving expressive language, and language comprehension are some of the things we have been dealing with on a very personal level.”

Sergio, a native of Italy, came to the U.S. to enroll Davide in the Princeton Child Development Institute, which offers a broad spectrum of behavior analytic services to children, youth, and adults with autism.

There, he met one of the

teachers, Svein Hansen, who began working with Davide, who was then 7. Hansen had studied developmental challenges, and worked with people with disabilities in his home country of Norway.

“The serendipity of life played a part, too,” he explains. “A very dedicated professor was interested in my studying in the U.S. and contacting the Princeton Child Development Institute. This is how I met Davide, Sergio, and Violetta.”

In time, the idea for a project like PALS emerged, and the Neris and Hansen set up a pilot program, Project Autism, at the Hopewell Valley Vineyards location.

“It started with two people and grew to five or six,” they explain. “Our goal was creating job opportunities for adults with autism through the creation of various work projects aimed at creating useful and salable products.”

Community Store

Its success led to PALs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities. It is a state-approved provider of services by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). As such, it receives financial support provided through a fee-for-service structure by the DDD. Foundations, organizations, families, and individuals are also generous contributors.

PALS’ workshop and community store is located at 280 North Main Street in Pennington. In addition, an adjacent building houses The Mill Activity Center.

The organization offers programs and activities for those age 21 and older, with a staff of 20 instructors working with 50 participants.

“The instructors are all certified, with computerized training required by the state,” says Sergio Neri. “Training is received from the Rutgers University College of Direct Support. They are also certified in CPR and first aid, and we have in-house training, which is very important. We are very proud of our vetting system for the staff, and as our pro -

gram is growing, the challenge is to find even more qualified teachers.”

The students are all ages, adds Svein Hansen. “The oldest is in his mid-50s, and participants include those with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and seizure disorder. One person brings a service dog, who can detect seizures.”

At the workshop, participants may be sewing, painting, and creating a variety of products under the supervision of the instructors. Many of the items are available for sale in the store, and among them are note cards, wall art, small bags, little bird houses, baby bibs, faux flowers, covered hangers, and candles, among other products. Some of the participants’ creations are also donated to Princeton’s popular ArtJam festival each year.

Store with a Heart

The colorful items are attractively displayed, and though many are made by the PALS participants, others are fair trade, recycled, repurposed, or made by firms dedicated to awareness and support of social causes, including for special needs individuals around the world.

“Any retail item has been carefully selected by our staff to ensure that PALS does its part in bettering people around the world,” reports Violetta Neri. “Also, sometimes, our participants will help in the store. This is a store with a heart!”

The Mill Activity Center offers still more opportunities for the participants. A piano, sewing machine, exercise equipment, and kitchen are available so they can engage in music, sewing, exercise, and baking, as they are able.

“We consider this a meeting hub where they can interact and learn to get along together,” points out Hansen. “Each person has different milestones to achieve and different skills to develop. One young man of 26 now has his first paid job in a restaurant, and is looking forward to being able to live independently in

his own apartment. We are very proud of our interaction with the participants and of helping to teach interaction among the participants with each other.”

The amount of time spent at The Mill Activity Center and the Workshop and Community Store varies. Some people come once a week, some every day. They usually spend a minimum of two hours, and some stay as long as six hours. Instructors can also go to the individual’s home or work place.

“We are very hands-on. Our staff is very involved in helping each participant to learn and participate more positively,” says Sergio. “The challenge is always to keep the quality of our services high and having the staff we need.”

Hours in the Day Interest continues to grow, he adds. More and more families are inquiring about entering the PALS program, and there is already a waiting list.

“There are just not enough hours in the day for all we

want to do,” emphasizes Hansen. “We also take the participants outdoors, and on field trips to miniature golf, swimming, and other activities. And we partner with local equestrian therapy centers and stables.”

The founders and the fivemember board of trustees are enthusiastic about PALS’ success and its future. A series of long-range plans are on the agenda.

“We look forward to creating two group homes for our participants, one for men and one for women,” says Sergio Neri. “We have the land, and it is already underway. We also hope to have supervised apartments for those able to live independently. There is a lot to look forward to!”

And, add Violetta Neri and Svein Hansen, “Our mission is to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities achieve more independent, productive, and happy lives.

We are so glad to see the happiness on the faces of PALS participants and their families. It is so important

that we can help to make a difference in their lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity.”

PALS always welcomes donations to help the organization continue to provide its services, and an annual fundraiser is held — most recently at the Hopewell Valley Vineyards, which included food, entertainment, and a silent auction.

The PALS Community Store is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information, call (609) 7374469. Visit the website at palsnj.org.

—Jean Stratton

HELPING HANDS: “We make sure that our atmosphere offers everyone a sense of belonging and getting along. We take into consideration everyone’s personality as we help them develop skills to participate in activities and work projects to create useful products,” report founders Violetta and Sergio Neri and founder and executive Svein Hansen of Pennington Adult Living Services (PALS). Shown, in foreground from left, are PALS participants Nicole, Jack, and Keller. Seated at top are David and Robert.

S ports

Tiger Softball Shows Resolve, Special Team Chemistry

As it Wins Ivy Tourney, Will Face Louisiana in NCAAs

It was a blast that gave the Princeton University softball team a huge lift as it headed into the Ivy League Tournament last week.

With Princeton trailing Cornell in the bottom of the seventh inning in its regular season finale on May 4, Lauren Sablone slammed a three-run walk-off homer that gave the Tigers a 5-4 win. In the wake of the triumph Princeton earned the top seed in the Ivy tournament and the right to host the double elimination competition at the friendly confines of Strubing Field.

“That was one of the top three sports moments I have been a part of, it was unbelievable, it was electric,” said Princeton head coach Lisa Van Ackeren. “There is genuine belief that anything can happen and when you have a moment like that you remember what sports are all about. Nobody knows who is supposed to win and really anything can happen on any given day. I think that gave our team a huge boost of momentum going into the tournament.”

Good things kept happening for the Tigers as they topped Dartmouth 4-0 on Wednesday to open the tourney and head to the winner’s bracket. A day later, Princeton topped Harvard to 3-1 to earn a spot in the final round.

On Saturday, the Tigers fell 6-1 to the Crimson to set up a winner-take-all finale for the title and the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. Riding the pitching of starter Cassidy Shaw and reliever Brielle Wright, Princeton edged the Crimson 1-0 to win the crown, its second league title in the last three years.

Louisiana they got against Dartmouth as junior righty Meghan Harrington hurled a three-hit shutout against the Big Green with three strikeouts on no walks.

“It was cool because we faced the Ivy League Pitcher of the year in Jensin Hall,” said Van Ackeren. “Meg Harrington was phenomenal, she has just been working hard all year. The great part about her is that she could be phenomenal on any given day but she has just had such a growth mentality that each outing is going to make her a little better. She is really great at staying in the moment and competing. She gave our team a chance to win.”

In a harbinger of things to come, freshman Karis Ford hit a homer in the win. She ended up going 5-for-10 in the tourney and won Most Outstanding Player honors.

“She had a monster weekend, that is totally what she is capable of,” said Van Ackeren. “She was the most valuable player and it was well deserved, well-earned. Our team watches her every day and every time Karis gets a big hit, we are so happy for her and also not surprised at all.”

Princeton was not surprised to see nemesis Harvard in final round as the rivals advanced to the same stage in the 2023 Ivy tourney with Crimson prevailing in a winner-take-all finale.

While the Tigers fell 6-1 to Harvard to set up the ifnecessary showdown, they weren’t suffering a case of déjà vu.

“We dropped the first game, we didn’t have our best stuff,” said Van Ackeren. “Their pitchers did a great job for them this weekend grinding and giving their

strong pitching in the 1-0 win in the seeing game as a freshman starter Shaw went six innings, giving up just four hits, and sophomore reliever Wright got the save with a one-two-three seventh inning.

“I think the resolve that we showed in Game 2 was cool,” said Van Ackeren. “Cassidy had one of the best games of her career and then Brielle came in to close. When you see Brielle take the field in the seventh and we have a one-run lead, we know it is over. That is the feeling because she is so dominant.”

Having gone through a roller coaster Ivy campaign which saw Princeton tie Harvard and Yale for first place as the trio each had 14-7 league marks, Van Ackeren expected drama last weekend.

“The tournament went about as I expected, it was just chaos and a lot of really good battles,” said Van Ackeren. “You need to be playing your best at the end.”

In surviving that chaos, the Tigers utilized their special team chemistry.

“We turned toward each other, I think a lot of teams turn external,” said Van Ackeren. “You can blame the umpires, you can blame tradition, or whatever. We do a really good job of turning toward the inner circle. They really love each other. It is so cool when you have moments and there is genuine care on this team for the people in that circle, above and beyond what they do as athletes.”

“We play tough competition early on, so that we are not fazed by seeing a Power 5 name or a name brand,” said Van Ackeren, noting that Princeton softball’s first-ever regional in 1994 was played at Lafayette and that the Tigers won their first regional game at that site with a victory over McNeese State. “We have got three big name brands, which is great. We are prepared for that. Louisiana will be first. They are tough, they are scrappy, they are relentless. They have great pitching and great hitting.”

In the view of Van Ackeren, the experience of playing at Arkansas in the 2022 NCAA tournament should help the Tigers not be fazed when they compete this weekend in Lafayette.

“Our upperclassmen have been to a regional, we were in a really cool environment at Arkansas,” said Van Ackeren. “It was intense and amazing, they love their softball too. Our upperclassmen need to lead the way emotionally. We are in this big environment but

Session 2 $1,050

Playing in Lafayette, La., to open NCAA action figures to be a cool experience for Princeton.

“It will be an awesome site, it is a place none of us

the game is still the same. In 2022 we didn’t have anyone with that experience. We have that experience in our program now. I think that will really help us stay grounded. It is loud and intense and fast but the game is still the same. If we focus on us, do what we do and enjoy it, I think we will put ourselves in a really good spot. The game doesn’t know who is supposed to win. Anything can happen.” Just like when Sablone blasted her homer against Cornell. —B ill Alden

SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT: Members of the Princeton University softball team show their joy as they greet Allison Ha after she hit a homer against Cornell in a regular season game on May 4. Last Saturday, the Tigers had a lot to celebrate as they edged Harvard 1-0 in a winnertake-all contest in the final round of the double-elimination Ivy League Tournament and earned the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. Princeton, now 29-16, will head south to the Louisiana Regional in Lafayette, La., where it will face host Louisiana on May 17 in the opener of the double-elimination competition. The two other teams at the site are Ole Miss and Baylor.

(Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

BAILEY BASKETBALL ACADEMY SUMMER HOOPS

Two Weeks Of Hoop Camps and Daily Player Development Programs for Princeton Area Youth HOOP CAMPS SCHEDULE:

WEEK 1: JUNE 24 - 28, 2024 & WEEK 2: JULY 22 - 26, 2024

- Full Day Program (Ages 8-14) | 9:00am - 3:00pm

- AM Session (Ages 8-14) | 9:00am - 12:00pm

- PM Session (Ages 8-14) | 12:30pm - 3:00pm

- First Hoops (Ages 5-7) | 9:00am - 11:45am

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT DAILY SCHEDULE:

Starts Monday, July 1st - Friday, August 16th

Session #1 9:00am - 10:30am Session #2 10:30am - 12:00pm

All players will be required to bring their own water, snacks and/or lunch for applicable programs.

**Multiple Player/Sibling discount available.

For more information and to register: https://forms.gle/zC5Gv2XcxEp1bjsSA

Contact Coach Kamau Bailey at Kamau.Bailey@gmail.com or (917) 626-5785 with any questions.

Thank you to our customers for voting us Best Pizza

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

you another 80 years and more.

Digging Big Early Hole Against Nemesis Maryland, PU Men’s

Lax Falls 16-8 to Terps in NCAA

As the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team hit the field at Maryland last Saturday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the players were drenched by a cloudburst.

Once the game started, Princeton was hit by a deluge of Terp goals as Maryland scored three unanswered goals in the first eight minutes of the game and extended its lead to 9-1 midway through the second quarter.

Princeton head coach Matt Madalon acknowledged that the early onslaught by the Terps caught him off guard as he believed his squad was primed to continue the late surge as it brought a four-game winning streak into the NCAA tourney, winning the Ivy League Tournament in the process.

“Coming off the Ivy League championship, there were a lot of highs, it was pretty emotional, everybody was pretty thrilled,” said Madalon. “Then you have to come back and buckle down and get back to work. I thought we put together a good week of practice. I was surprised with how we started. We wanted to come out and be a little sharper and tighter in the first quarter, make sure we executed and settled in on the face-off X, and really none of it happened. They get a goal eight seconds into the game and then they got a goal on the ensuing couple of possessions. It was just a rough start.”

The Tigers did settle down in the third quarter as they outscored Maryland 3-1 to make it a 12-6 game heading into the final 15 minutes. The Terps responded with a 4-0 run to start the fourth quarter and never looked back on the way to a 16-8 win.

The setback marked Princeton’s fifth loss to Maryland in the last three years and it

followed a similar script as the Tigers fell behind early in each contest and never led. In reflecting on the latest defeat to the Terps, Madalon credited Maryland showing their pedigree.

“I think overall their team speed was great,” said Madalon, whose team finished the spring with a fi nal record of 11-5. “Their execution was flawless — they didn’t make a mistake in that first part of it. It was a very impressive Maryland team.”

Princeton did execute better in the second half but it was too little, too late.

“No matter what the score is on any given day, we are going to play Princeton lacrosse,” said Madalon, who got three goals from freshman star Nate Kabiri in the loss with Colin Burns, Tucker Wade, Marquez White, Lukas Stanat, and Coulter Mackesy adding one apiece.

“It was get back to playing our lacrosse and start putting it on them with our energy and attitude. We got a couple, but the gap was a little too big to close. Our guys battled all the way to the end. I will always give our guys credit. There is no quit in them, but the execution of Maryland was unrelenting.”

While the loss stung, Madalon was proud of what his senior group accomplished over their time at Princeton.

“I am thrilled that our seniors get to leave with a Final 4 appearance and two Ivy League championships,” said Madalon. “I would have loved to have done more for that crew. They set an incredible standard, culture, and level of play. It is our duty to get back to work and continue to uphold that.”

The impact of the seniors was exemplified by Princeton’s late run.

“Overall, I am very happy

Opener

with the season in terms of how it went,” said Madalon. “Our backs were to the wall at 2-2 in the Ivy League and for this group to come together and get that championship says a lot about who these guys were as a team. It was impressive.”

There is an impressive foundation in place as Princeton will return most of its offensive firepower next spring, including junior Mackesy (40 goals, 24 assists), Kabiri (32 goals, 25 assists), sophomore Chad Palumbo (26 goals, 11 assists), freshman Burns (26 goals, 9 assists), freshman Wade (17 goals, 5 assists), junior Sean Cameron (18 goals, 3 assists), and sophomore John Dunphey (12 goals, 6 assists).

“All year people have spoken about our young guys. We do appreciate that — there are some talented young guys,” said Madalon. “There is a standard of play at Princeton and we will be right back at it trying to get back and up that level. With two first round exits the past two years our goals remain the same — the Ivy League championship and then the big one.”

While that abundance of talent on hand doesn’t guarantee anything, Madalon believes that Princeton can reach a championship level if the returners put their nose to the grindstone.

“For them to come together for that Ivy League run was awesome,” said Madalon. “It shows the amount of hard work and the amount of execution and detail that it takes towards the end of the year once you get into playoff time. I think it is great experience for those young guys. We hope for a lot better moving forward. If those guys work hard over the summer and come back and we put together a good fall, I remain very excited about the future.”

— Bill Alden

TOUGH FINISH: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Nate Kabiri gets ready to unload the ball in a game earlier this year. Last Saturday, freshman attacker Kabiri tallied three goals in a losing cause as Princeton fell 16-8 at seventh-seeded Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The loss left the Tigers with a final record of 11-5. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

PU Sports Roundup

Women’s Golf Star Liu Takes 25th at Regional Princeton University women’s golf junior star Victoria Liu concluded her stellar 2024 season last week with a 25th place finish at the NCAA Las Vegas Regional held at Spanish Trail Golf Club.

Liu finished at +6 (222) overall in the three-round event, carding rounds of 74, 72 and 76.

In her final round, Liu birdied three of her opening eight holes but was unable to maintain that momentum with bogeys on four of her final 10 holes to fall off the pace for the individual qualifying spot that was eventually claimed by Kent State’s Veronika Kedronova who finished -1 (215) for the tournament and was the highest-placing individual not on one of the five teams to advance.

Liu, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, is now a three-time NCAA Regional competitor — twice as an individual selection and once as part of Princeton’s team entry in 2022. She has now won back-to-back Ivy League Player of the Year honors to go with an Ivy League Rookie of the Year selection in 2022 and has twice earned medalist honors at the Ivy League Championship.

Princeton Men’s Track Shines at Army Meet

Building on its first place finish in the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships earlier this month, the Princeton University men’s track team excelled at the Army Twilight Meet last Thursday in West Point, N.Y.

Nicholas Bendtsen placed first in the 5,000-meter run in 13:47.91 with Conner Nisbet closely following in second at 13:49.32. Casey Helm also earned a victory at the meet, placing first in the discus with a best throw of 187’0.

In addition, Gianluca Bianchi took second in the 400 while Easton Tan placed third in the 110 hurdles and Brian Boler finished second in the 3,000 steeplechase.

The Tigers are next in action when they compete at the NCAA First Round in Lexington, Ky., from May 22-25

Tiger Women’s Track Excels at West Point Event

Makenna Marshall provided a highlight as the Princeton University women’s team competed at the Army Twilight Meet last Thursday in West Point, N.Y.

Sophomore Marshall placed first in the discus with a best heave of 165’7, the fourth best throw in the program’s outdoor record list. Marshall also took fourth in the shot put work a throw of 47’3.

Madeleine Wood placed second in the high jump at 5’7.25 while Mena Scatchard took third in the 800-meter run in a personal record time of 2:03.57. Lexi Allen placed second in the 1,500 with Olivia Martin just behind in third. India Ingemi finished second in the 400 hurdles.

The Tigers are gearing up for the NCAA First Round meet in Lexington, Ky., which is slated to take place from May 22-25.

3 PU Men’s Lax Alums

Selected in PLL Draft

Three former Princeton University men’s lacrosse players were selected in the Premier Lacrosse league (PLL) College Draft last week.

Midfielder Jake Stevens ’23 was selected by the Atlas as the second pick of the second round and 10th overall. Stevens, who tallied 58 goals and 11 assists and scooped up 179 ground balls in his Tiger career, has played this spring for Syracuse as a grad transfer.

Shortstick defensive midfielder Beau Pederson ’23 was taken by Archers as the fifth pick in the second round and 13th overall. Pederson, who had 15 goals and nine assists along with 69 ground balls for Princeton, has competed this spring as a grad transfer for Michigan.

Midfielder Alexander Vardaro ‘23 was selected by the Cannons as the sixth pick in the second round and 14th overall. Vardaro scored 120 points on 75 goals and 45 assists in his Princeton career and has played this spring at Georgetown.

IN HOT WATER: Princeton University women’s water polo player Kaila Carroll, left, defends a foe in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior Carroll scored two goals as Princeton fell 11-6 to second-seeded Hawaii in the NCAA quarterfinals in Berkeley, Calif. The Tigers ended the season with a 23-7 record.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

BOSTON STRONG: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Haven Dora, left, looks to get past a foe in action earlier this season. Last Friday, sophomore attacker Dora tallied two goals and five assists to help Princeton defeat Drexel 14-9 in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Chestnut Hill, Mass. On Sunday, Dora contributed two goals as Princeton fell 21-16 at second-seeded Boston College

NCAA second round contest. The defeat left the Tigers with an 11-7 final record. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

Senior Singer Hits a

High

Note

For PHS Boys’ Lax, Starring as Tigers Edge Robbinsville in MCT Quarters

In his first two years at Princeton High, Jason Singer emerged as a versatile performer for the boys’ tennis team, playing third singles, first doubles, and second doubles.

Coming into the spring of his junior year in 2023, though, Singer decided to switch things up athletically and joined the Tiger boys’ lacrosse program.

“I was pretty successful both years in the tennis season but I wanted to come back to lacrosse because I played with Patrick [Kenah] when I was in a middle school,” said Singer. “I just wanted to play more of a team sport.”

The bond with Kenah helped smooth Singer’s transition to the lax program.

“It has been great, especially because he has introduced me to the team and some other buddies outside of lacrosse,” said attacker Singer, who made an instant impact for the Tigers last year, tallying 27 goals and 13 assists in his debut campaign.

Looking to build on that positive start, Singer trained with his buddies to prepare for his senior season.

“I have been working with Pat, Brendan [Beatty] and Braden [Barlag], all of the offensive guys,” said Singer. “We just work in the offseason together.”

Last Saturday, that work paid off for Singer as he scored two goals to help third-seeded PHS edge sixth-seeded Robbinsville 8-7 in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals.

The Tigers, who improved to 10-6 with the win, were slated to face second-seeded Lawrenceville B in the MCT semis on May 14 with the victor advancing to the final on May 16 at Hopewell Valley.

Having lost 12-11 in overtime to Robbinsville on April 25, Singer and his teammates were determined to turn the tables on the Ravens in the MCT rematch.

“We knew that we could beat them,” said Singer. “We just came out, we wanted to get good possession on offense and give it to our guys and just lock down on defense.”

Singer came out on fire, scoring a goal to give PHS an early 1-0 lead.

“Coach (Chip Casto) was saying you want to get down to the goalie extended and

take the shorty from there,” said Singer. “They weren’t really sliding too early.”

Despite trailing 4-3 at halftime, the Tigers weren’t fazed.

“We had been there before, especially at the Hopewell game,” said Singer, referring to a 17-11 win over the Bulldogs on April 4 which saw PHS overcome an early deficit. “That is what I tried to remind the team. We said to keep our heads up and keep fighting and go on a run.”

Singer helped the Tigers go on a 3-1 run in the third quarter, tallying his second goal of the game with 11:09 left in the period.

“It was the same exact thing as the first quarter,” said Singer. “Coach was saying attack the shortsticks and just keep going.”

With the foes knotted at 7-7 with less than a minute to go in regulation, Singer helped set up friend Kenah with some deft passing in the crease area.

“The goal is to get it to his stick,” said Singer of Kenah, who scored the game-winning goal with 50 seconds left in the game.

As PHS celebrated its Senior Day last Saturday in what is likely its last home game of the season, Singer was looking to go out with a bang.

a Mercer County Tournament quarterfinal contest. The Tigers, who improved to 10-6 with the win, were slated to face second-seeded Lawrenceville B in the MCT semis on May 14 with the victor advancing to the final on May 16 at

Valley.

“My dad was saying just get out there, it could be your last game at home so have some fun and get after it,” said Singer.

PHS head coach Casto was looking for his team to get after it in round two against Robbinsville.

“We changed a couple of matchups, we put Anthony [Famiglietti] on No. 1 (Lukas Hutt) who just torches us every time, he is a great player, said Casto. “We needed to be more physical. We needed to win the ground ball war which both sides know is the key like rebounding in basketball. Whoever picks up the more balls usually wins the game. I have not seen the stats, but I think we probably picked up more than they did.”

Casto acknowledged that the Tigers needed to pick things up heading into the second half.

“We needed to settle in defensively and get on our matchups, get under picks and not switch so much,” said Casto. “It was all the fundamental stuff you work on and when you don’t see it, it gets frustrating.”

Senior goalie Kian Bragg, a converted field player, made nine saves to help spark a defensive effort which saw PHS hold the Ravens to one goal over the last 12:29 of the game.

“It is unbelievable what he is doing out of nowhere,” said Casto of Bragg. “Jack Crotty has been sneaky getting better and better. He is making the right slides, he is making the right reads. Frank McLaughlin is playing better. Anthony had his hands full with No. 1. They are all playing a little better. We ask James Reynolds to do a lot of little things, he was picking up the ball and clearing.”

Casto credited Singer with doing some good things on attack.

“The greatest play he made was he caught the ball inside with about 50 seconds left in the game,” said Casto of Singer, who has scored 28 points so far this spring in 21 goals and seven assists. “Usually he just lets a shot go but he didn’t, he pushed it out wide and then we swung it and got the winning goal off of his really, really good decision. We are asking him to do stuff like that and take intelligent shots. He had a great shot in the first quarter and a nice goal in the third quarter.”

With the Tigers coming off the great effort against Robbinsville, Casto is excited about his squad’s chances to keep going in the MCT.

“We lost a game we thought we should have won on Thursday to Somerville, another scrappy team, it was a one-goal game,” said Casto, referring to a 10-9 loss to Somerville. “That is what we talked about in the huddle, we have been here, let’s stay calm, get the ball to our horses and let’s see what happens. It is interesting having the Preps in here, this is the last year of the county tournament. Lawrenceville B will be tough.”

In Singer’s view, PHS will be tough to beat in the MCT and the upcoming state tournament.

“We just have to keep our heads up,” said Singer. “We just have to stay motivated and keep working.”

—Bill Alden

While Just Missing Out on Winning Postseason Titles, PHS Boys’ Golf Still Produced a Memorable Campaign

After producing a superb regular campaign that saw it go 13-0 in dual match play and win two in-season tournaments, the Princeton High boys’ golf team was primed to defend its title at the Mercer County Tournament.

While continuing to play well, PHS fell just short of a title repeat as it took second with a score of 312, five strokes behind champion Lawrenceville in the event played on May 3 at the Mountain View Golf Course.

Tiger head coach Pat Noone credited his players giving their all as they went for the second straight crown.

“I thought we did really, really good; it was really tough conditions, it was cold and windy,” said Noone. “It was really tough and we battled and battled. The kid from Lawrenceville [individual champion Adrian Jordan] got hot on the last four holes —I think he went birdie, eagle, birdie, and par. That was the five stroke difference we lost by. We were the top public school again.”

Junior Walter Gumbinger was the top player for PHS at the MCT, carding a fiveover 77 to tie for fourth individually.

“Walt had a great offseason, he really performed this spring,” said Noone. “He is going to have a great senior year. He is starting to get some looks from colleges. It is really cool.”

A trio of seniors — Brooks Cahill-Sanidas, Benji Tarter, and Peter Eaton — also performed well for the Tigers.

Cahill-Sanidas tied for eighth with a 78 while Tarter had a 79 to tie for 11th and Eaton fired an 83 to tie for 24th.

“Brooks has been our No. 1 for the last two years, he got off to a rough start in counties on the first couple of holes,” said Noone. “He made a triple on the third hole, after that he really battled. Benji has gotten better each year. This year he performed really well in some big tournaments and matches and Peter as well. They both had an awesome four-year run, they were really successful.”

Days later, the Tigers experienced another near miss as they took second in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 sectional. PHS fired a score of 301, seven strokes behind Millburn at the Preakness Valley Golf Course in Wayne.

“After taking over the last four years, I have added a lot more tournaments, we won the Wall Invitational and the Sayreville Bomber Tee-Off Invitational this year,” said Noone. “We were pretty comfortable going to 18-hole tournaments. I think the guys were really excited and pumped. It is not many times that you see a team have five guys finish breaking 80 in a tournament and we did that. That is golf, it is tough. The guys were awesome, they played so well.”

Cahill-Sanidas ended his stellar PHS career on a high note, firing an even-par 70 to tie for second individually at the sectional.

“That was a great day for him, we did a lot of work on Monday to get his swing dialed in,” said Noone, noting that Cahill-Sanidas will be going on to play for the Kenyan College men’s golf program his fall. “That is the way you want him to go out. He is definitely going down as one of the best in PHS history.”

Another senior, Remmick Granozio, also had a great day, carding a five-over 75 to tie for ninth.

“Remmick really came along, he played his freshman year, missed his other two to focus on basketball,” said Noone.

“He wanted to come back and have some fun. He had a great career-ending state sectional tournament. He is a true three-sport athlete, he also played football this fall.”

Although Noone would have liked to see his squad come through with a postseason title, he is proud of what the Tigers accomplished this spring.

“It was an awesome season, winning two invitationals is big, especially winning Wall where there some really good teams,” said Noone. “To open the season with a win there was really impressive, it got the ball rolling. We did really good in the dual meets. Everybody played well, everybody had fun.”

Noone had a lot of fun working with his stellar group of seniors.

“It was a great four years with these guys, they were freshmen who come in my first year as head coach,” said Noone. “You are talking about a group that has won two sectional titles and two Tournament of Champion appearances, won the first MCT in 15 years, won the Wall Invitational, and won the Bomber Tee-Off Invitational. It is going to go down as one of the best four-year runs in PHS golf history.”

Looking ahead, Noone believes the Tigers can keep doing great things.

“We have got Walt coming back, we have a couple of freshmen that are coming in there,” said Noone. “There is going to be change next year. We are going to pass the torch and keep this moving the right way. We have a pretty good history over here.”

— Bill Alden

LEAD SINGER: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Jason Singer looks to unload the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior attacker Singer scored two goals to help thirdseeded PHS edge sixth-seeded Robbinsville 8-7 in

Hopewell

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Making an Impact with her Athleticism, Versatility, Swanson Helps Hun Girls’ Lax Make MCT Semis

With the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team having lost 20-10 to Lawrenceville in a regular season meeting on April 10, Aspen Swanson and her Raider teammates realized they faced a tough test when the rivals met for a rematch last Thursday in the Mercer County Tournament semis.

“We knew this game was going to be a tough one, they are skilled and everything,” said Hun sophomore star attacker Swanson. “We just had to come out with the best mindset that we could. Effort is key here.”

Swanson came out strong for the Raiders, scoring a pair of goals in the first 8:26 to give Hun a 2-0 lead in the game that was played at Lawrence High.

“Off the draw, we had those 50/50s and we really just pushed out,” said Swanson. “We just played really well.”

The Big Red, though, pushed Hun around after that, responding with two goals late in the first quarter to knot the game at 2-2 and then reeled off eight straight goals in the second quarter to go up 10-2 at half and never looked back on the way to a 19-4 win.

While the loss was disappointing, Swanson believes that Hun is on the right track as it was coming off a 14-11 victory over Princeton Day School into MCT quarters.

“It was a big win, it felt really good and it put us in a higher mindset as well,” said Swanson. “I think our team culture has improved.

The new coach (Geoff Chrisman) has really helped us.”

Swanson has shown a lot of improvement this spring with a year of high school lacrosse under her belt.

“I think confidence, I struggled greatly with confidence starting freshman year, just being nervous about everything,” said Swanson, who tallied two goals and two assists last Monday in a 14-10 loss to Princeton High in a regular season contest and now has 29 goals and 23 assists this spring. “I think that has evolved over time and has really helped my game.”

Playing club lax and competing for the Hun field hockey team in the fall has helped speed Swanson’s

development.

“I have been working offseason a lot too, I play club with Ultimate,” said Swanson. “I think that has helped me evolve as well. Field hockey helps with the stick skills overall and hand-eye coordination which are really important in this game.”

Developing a connection with Hun senior star attackers Ava Olender and Olivia Kim has also been important for Swanson.

“Throughout the season, they have always been someone to look up to,” said Swanson. “They have always been my senior leaders on and off the field.”

Hun head coach Chrisman acknowledged that his team had no room for error against an up-tempo squad like Lawrenceville.

“The whole mindset was we can’t make mistakes, we can’t leave ground balls on the ground because any missed opportunity, they are going to take advantage of,” said Chrisman. “They are big and fast with depth. They get their hands free and they shoot so well, the ball is placed. They are a machine.”

With the Raiders coming off the win over PDS, Chrisman believed his squad was primed for the opportunity against the Big Red.

“We had some confidence, we had a couple of good days of practice, it showed in the start of the game,” said Chrisman. “We came out we scored two and then we missed a couple of ground balls, which they ran right through and gave them opportunities. There is no such thing as a missed opportunity because someone else is going to take it. You have got to seize your moment because when you don’t someone else does.”

Lawrenceville, which went on to win the MCT title for a sixth straight year, also used a stingy defense to seize momentum.

“They changed that defense up, they went to that backer and it gave us a little bit of trouble figuring it out and their goalie made some big saves,” said Chrisman. “It hurt our momentum and confidence. We put a couple in when we figured it out but we can’t wait that long to get confident

Chrisman credited Swanson with showing more and more confidence as spring has unfolded.

“Aspen has had a phenomenal year, I don’t even think of her a sophomore anymore,” said Chrisman. “She feeds the ball, she scores the ball and she gets big ground balls. We put her up on the circle, she plays big and tough. She is going to be a special player. We are really lucky to have her.”

With Hun, now 9-7, hosting PDS on May 16 in a regular season contest to wrap up the spring, Chrisman believes the Raiders are in a good place.

“We are sitting at nine wins right now, that is huge,” said Chrisman. “I think there are only four teams in the last 20 years that have had more than eight wins here. We have done some awesome things. We came in with all kinds of new terminology. They can speak that terminology now, they are calling picks on the field. We are still growing — we are still trying to find our identity in who we are as a program. That is a longterm goal. It is not always something that is going to come to fruition in the first season. As they move forward, they are going to get there.”

Competing against Lawrenceville in the MCT semis was a key step in that process.

“These are the type of teams we want to be playing,” said Chrisman.

“That is why we went down to Florida for our spring trip and we played Exeter and other New England prep schools. That is where we want to be. We have to keep working and learn from these mistakes and get better and just keep going. It is about creating our identity within the community around here. It is continuing to play hard and show who we are. I am excited.”

Swanson, for her part, is confident that Hun will go out on a high note this spring.

“It is just staying positive and trusting each other on special plays,” said Swanson. “It is keeping our heads up.”

— Bill Alden

Mercer County Tournament semifinal. The Raiders, who lost 14-10 to Princeton High last Monday to move to 9-7, hosts Princeton Day School on May 16.

The roads listed below in Princeton, New Jersey are scheduled to be closed on the following dates during the Princeton University Reunions weekend:

• Theater Drive, from Alexander Street to Woodlands Way will close at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23th and remain closed until 12 p.m. Sunday, May 26th.

• Woodlands Way, between Elm Drive and Washington Road, will close at 7 a.m. Thursday, May 23th and reopen at 12 p.m. Sunday, May 26th.

The roads listed below will begin closing at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25, and will remain closed until approximately 11 p.m. during the Reunions Fireworks event:

• Faculty Road from Alexander Street to Broadmead

• Stadium Drive from Western Way to Fitzrandolph Road

• Scholar Way from Washington Road to Jadwin Gymnasium

• FitzRandolph Road from Faculty Road to Prospect Avenue

• Sweetgum Drive from Faculty Road to Stadium Drive

• Broadmead will be restricted to event traffic only

While not a privately-owned University roadway, Washington Road between Prospect Avenue and U.S. Route 1 will also be closed during the fireworks display. Consequently, no traffic will be permitted between Campus Meadows Drive and Faculty Road.

Through traffic will not be permitted during the closures. A University staff member will be stationed at each road entrance throughout the closing, and local police will assist with the closure on Washington Road. Residents living on affected roadways may encounter detours, but will still be allowed to enter and exit as needed. Please plan your travel accordingly and consider using alternate routes to avoid delays and inconvenience.

As a reminder, the following University roadways are closed due to on-going construction:

• Ivy Lane

• Western Way (from Ivy Lane to FitzRandolph Road)

Princeton University periodically closes its private roads for various reasons, including special events and routine maintenance. We understand that these closures may cause inconvenience and aim to minimize any impact or delays by providing advanced notice. Should you have any questions, please contact Robert Adams, Administrative Lieutenant, Department of Public Safety, Princeton University at 609-258-9701 or via email to radams@princeton.edu

GROUND CONTROL: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Aspen Swanson scoops up the ball off the ground in recent action. Last Thursday, sophomore attacker Swanson scored two goals in a losing cause as fifth-seeded Hun fell 19-4 to top-seeded and eventual champion Lawrenceville in the

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

RoAd CloSURe NoTiCe

PDS Baseball Displaying Progress as Spring Unfolds, Aiming

to End Season on High Note in Non-Public Tourney

Encouraged by defeating Dunellen 7-5 on May 4 in posting its second win of the season, the Princeton Day School baseball team was looking for a Colonial Valley Conference breakthrough as it hosted WW/P-South last Wednesday.

The game was knotted at 0-0 heading into the second inning before the roof fell in on PDS as WW/P-S pushed across nine runs in the top of the frame. Things went from bad to worse for the Panthers as they fell 23-2 to the Pirates.

PDS head coach Eric Schnepf tipped his hat to the Pirates.

“They did a good job, their

pitchers threw strikes, they made the plays in the field, they hit the ball all over the yard,” said Schnepf. “They just took it to us today, there is no other way to say it. It wasn’t in the cards for us today, we just really took a tough one on the chin.”

While disappointed with the result against WW/P-S, Schnepf believes his young squad has shown improvement this spring.

“I know it might be tough to see today, but there has been progress from last year to this year and even from the start of this year,” said Schnepf. “We picked a bad time to play a bad game.”

Junior transfer Santino

Cignarella has played well this spring, posting a teamhigh batting average of .385.

“He is doing a really good job leading off and playing shortstop,” said Schnepf of Cignarella.

“He is setting the table and keeping the team composed. He is a good leader on the field and in the locker room. He does a really good job with the culture we are trying to build here. He has been a great addition to the program.”

Another key addition for PDS has been freshman outfielder-pitcher Keegan Fullman, who is hitting .293.

“He is playing really well,

it is easy to forget that he is a freshman,” said Schnepf.

“Just him coming in and being comfortable and being able to adjust to the pace of play and the speed of varsity baseball, we are very excited by him and impressed by what he has done so far.”

The play of junior catcher Luke Haan has been impressive as well.

“Luke is having a good year,” said Schnepf of Haan who is also batting .293.

“He got beat up a little bit today, it was a tough day to be behind the plate. He never complains, he never puts his head down. He is just trying to keep his guys in it. We definitely lean on him game in, game out as an anchor of the team.”

The Panthers, who fell 9-1 to Allentown last Monday to move to 2-15, have not been

hanging their heads despite the lack of wins.

“Top to bottom, everybody is finding ways to develop, not just physically but also culturally,” said Schnepf, whose team hosts Trenton Central on May 15, plays at Hightstown on May 17, and then hosts North Plainfi eld on May 18 and Willingboro on May 20. “They are into it, they care.” With PDS slated to finish

COOL HAND LUKE: Princeton Day School catcher Luke Haan guards the plate in a game earlier this spring. Junior Haan has been an anchor of the team defensively from the catcher spot and is also hitting .293. PDS, which fell 9-1 to Allentown last Monday to move to 2-15, hosts Trenton Central on May 15, plays at Hightstown on May 17, and then hosts North Plainfield on May 18 and Willingboro on May 20.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Sparked by Senior Whittaker’s Emergence as a Standout, PDS Boys’

Lax Hoping for Big Run in Non-Public Tourney

Matt Whittaker was part of the supporting cast last spring for the Princeton Day School boys’ lacrosse team as it won the Prep B state title and advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state final.

“Last year, I only had half the season, I was a transfer from Lawrence High,” said Whittaker, who tallied 12 goals and 11 assists in 2023.

This spring, senior attacker Whittaker has emerged as a star for the Panthers.

“I am starting to have the ball on my stick more,” said Whittaker. “I am starting to get a bigger role, I have had a full season.”

Last Friday, Whittaker tallied a goal and two assists as top-seeded PDS topped eighthseeded Ewing 15-0 in the opening round of the Mercer County Invitational.

With the Panthers jumping off to a 7-0 first quarter lead, Whittaker was able to take a break as PDS cleared the bench.

“It was a bunch of people who don’t get in a lot,” said Whittaker. “I was good to get them in.”

Last Monday, Whittaker had another big game as PDS topped fourth-seeded WWP-S 11-3 in the MCI semis as he tallied five goals and one assist to help the Panthers improve to 6-10. PDS will host the winner of the semi between LawrenceWW/P-North in the MCI fi nal on May 16.

Whittaker has displayed a lot of flexibility this spring as PDS experienced a major turnover in players and coaches.

“It is a big culture switch, with a lot of seniors leaving from the team last year and the coaches leaving,” said Whittaker, who is headed to Vassar this fall and will be playing for its Division III men’s lax program. “It is a new experience, you just have to adjust.”

One constant for Whittaker in his two years at PDS has been his connection with fellow senior star Sebastian Rzeczycki.

“It has been good, I have been playing with him since I have been little,” said Whittaker.

“We have played together for a while.”

PDS first-year head coach Nick Taylor was happy to play his whole roster in the win over Ewing.

“I think the unique thing about our sport is that if you are a really good athlete and you pick up a stick for the first time, there are ways that you can play,” said Taylor. “You saw that today with a lot of guys who are either first-time lacrosse players or maybe have not played as much as our more experienced players. Those guys got a chance to play today and that is always a lot of fun.”

As PDS looks ahead to culminating its season by playing in the NJSIAA Non-Public tournament, Taylor sees the MCI as a good prep for that competition.

“It just keeps us in a regular schedule,” said Taylor. “Right now, we are looking at least one game next week and potentially two games. That keeps us on that schedule. The one thing I said to the team was that it does give us an opportunity to continue to work on us and be best prepared for the state tournament. That is where our heads are at.”

Taylor credited his players with keeping their heads as they have worked through an up-and-down spring.

“It has been roller-coaster of a year, we have had some injuries and some adversity,” said Taylor. “That is why you play the game. For us, we have tried to segment it into little pieces. We have had our regular season and now that is behind us now so it is can we focus on this tournament and then move to the next thing. We are playing a lot of guys who have gained valuable experience this year.”

A pair of freshmen, Tucker Seamens and Landon Lewis, have developed into valuable performers for PDS.

“Tucker is a guy who has played a whole lot,” said Taylor. “He had a nice start today. He has done a lot for us. Landon is another one, he has played a bit here at the end. Those are two freshman who have done a nice job.”

Whittaker is doing a very good job this spring in his final campaign with the program.

“We have asked Matt to do a lot; he is usually getting guarded by the other team’s best pole as an attackman,” said Taylor of Whittaker, who has scored 46 points this spring on 34 goals and 12 assists. “The ball has had to be on Matt’s stick a little more than he was ready for. He stepped up to the challenge and has produced very good numbers for us. We are excited to watch him as a college player next year.”

Although senior star Rzeczycki has been banged up this year, he has still produced, tallying 35 goals and 12 assists.

“It has been a challenge for him, that is sports,” said Taylor. “He has been a great leader. He has been great ambassador for the program. He is one of our all-time leading scorers. He is starting to get back into form which is great.”

In Taylor’s view, PDS will need to be in top form to make an impact in the Non-Public competition.

“The big thing is that we need to beat a team that we shouldn’t,” said Taylor. “We have beaten the teams that we should. We have had some inflated wins and we have some big losses. We have been in a couple of close games but we are not really battle-tested in that regard. I have really challenged the team to say let’s focus on Non-Public. When we get seeded, likely in the middle, let’s make sure that we are ready to play and beat a higher seed. Hopefully that is the motivation that we can rally around and end up having a nice tournament run.”

Whittaker, for his part, believes that the Panthers have what it takes to end the spring on a good run.

“We can’t be playing down to people’s levels, we have to make sure that we are playing at our level,” said Whittaker. “We have to play as a team, pass the ball around, and make sure that we are moving the ball well. I feel like we are getting better.”

— Bill Alden

Hun

Baseball : Prevailing in a marathon contest, secondseeded Hun edged seventhseeded Notre Dame 2-1 in 11 innings in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals last Saturday. Ryan Greenstein and Antonio Destribats each had an RBI as the Raiders improved to 15-5. Hun was slated to face third-seeded Robbinsville in the MCT semis in May 14 with the victor advancing to the final on May 16 at the Trenton Thunder Ballpark. The Raiders will also be competing in the Prep A state tournament where they will host Blair Academy in an opening round contest on May 15 with the doubleelimination tourney wrapping up from May 18-19 at Hun.

Softball : Getting edged in a pitcher’s duel, fifth-seeded Hun fell 1-0 to first-seeded Robbinsville in the Mercer County Tournament semis last Saturday. Senior star and Villanova commit Lexi Kobryn yielded just two hits and had seven strikeouts in a losing cause as the Raiders moved to 17-2. Hun will also be taking part in the Prep A tournament where it is seeded first and was scheduled to host fifth-seeded Lawrenceville in a semifinal contest on May 14 with the victor advancing to the final on May 16 at Diamond Nation in Flemington.

Boys’ Lacrosse : Starting its quest for a third straight Mercer County Tournament title, first-seeded Hun defeated eighth-seeded Pennington 16-3 in the quarterfinal round last Friday. The Raiders were slated to face fifth-seeded Hopewell Valley in the semis in May 14 with the victor

advancing to the final on May 16 at HoVal. In addition, Hun fell 10-6 to Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) last Saturday in a regular season game as it moved to 7-8.

Lawrenceville

Baseball : Unable to get its bats going, Lawrenceville fell 4-1 to Nottingham last Monday in the opening round of the Mercer County Invitational. The Big Red, now 7-13, will be competing in the Prep A state tourney this week where they are hosting Peddie School in an opening round contest on May 15. The double-elimination competition is slated to wrap up from May 18-19 at the Hun School.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Sparked by Lexie Koch and Maddie Brogan, top-seeded Lawrenceville defeated secondseeded Allentown 12-10 last Saturday in the Mercer County Tournament final at Lawrence High.

Koch and Brogan each tallied four goals to help the Big Red improve to 11-7 and win their sixth straight county crown. Lawrenceville will wrap up its 2024 campaign by hosting Cherry Hill West on May 16.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Tessa Caputo led the way as PDS defeated Stuart Country Day 19-6 last Monday. Senior star attacker and Fairfield University commit Caputo tallied six goals and four assists to help the Panthers improve to 13-4. PDS plays at Hun School on May 16 and will then continue action in the Prep B state tournament where it is seeded second and will play in the final on May 22 against the

winner of the semifinal between top-seeded Montclair Kimberley and fourth-seeded Pennington.

Boys’ Tennis: Steven Li provided a highlight as PDS competed in the opening rounds of Prep B state tournament last Saturday at the Pingry School. Li advanced to the semifinals at second singles to earn the only point for the Panthers at the competition. In upcoming action, PDS will host Lawrenceville on May 16 before playing at Pennington on May 17 and Allentown on May 20.

Pennington PHS PDS

Baseball : Managing just one hit, eighth-seeded Pennington fell 1-0 to top-seeded Lawrence last Friday in quarterfinal round of the Mercer County Tournament. The Red Hawks, who moved to 9-10 with the loss, play at Bordentown on May 15, at Hopewell Valley in May 16, and at WW/ P-South on May 20.

Girls’ Lacrosse: Evie Argiropoulos scored five goals as Pennington fell 13-12 to Hopewell Valley last Friday in the semifinal round of the Mercer County Invitational. The Red Hawks, now 7-6, will play at Steinert on May 15 in a regular season contest. In addition, Pennington will be competing in the Prep B state tourney where it is seeded fourth and will play at top-seeded Montclair Kimberley on May 17 in a semifinal matchup.

to Notre Dame last Monday. The Tigers, now 7-13, play at Delaware Valley on May 15, face Ewing on May 17 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark, and play at South River on May 21.

Softball : Running into a buzz saw, PHS lost 13-1 to Notre Dame last Monday. The Tigers, who moved to 5-10 with the loss, host Franklin on May 16 and then play at New Egypt on May 17.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Quinn Gallagher came up big to help PHS defeat Hun 14-10 last Monday. Sophomore Gallagher scored six goals as the Tigers improved to 11-6. PHS hosts Hillsborough on May 16 and then plays at Hunterdon Central on May 18.

Stuart

Lacrosse : Allison Lee triggered the offense as Stuart defeated Hamilton West 13-10 last Thursday in a Mercer County Invitational consolation game. Junior star Lee tallied seven goals and two assists in the win. Last Monday, Lee scored five goals in a losing cause as the Tartans fell 19-6 to Princeton Day School. Stuart, now 4-11, hosts WW/PNorth on May 15 and Gill St. Bernard’s on May 20.

Local Sports

CVC Tournaments to Replace MCT this Fall

Baseball : Dylan Newman went 2 for 3 with one RBI to stand out as PHS fell 18-3

PERFECT FORM:

on

BBA is led by former Princeton Day School girls’ hoops coach and Philadelphia 76ers camp director and clinician Kamau Bailey. The camps are slated for June 24-28 and July 2226 at the Princeton Middle School.

There are full day camps for ages 9-14 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and half day camps from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

men’s tennis head coach, current assistant coach at The College of New Jersey, and Princeton Tennis Program Teaching Professional; and Betty Sander Thompson, who is receiving a posthumous honor and had received a USTA Umpire Emeritus Award for 32 years of service.

Over the years, Mercer County Tournaments (MCT) have featured some classic battles pitting county public schools against local prep rivals across the sports seasons.

Starting this fall, however, there will no longer be county tourneys in any sports as the Mercer County Tournament Association has voted to dissolve the current model.

Instead, the MCT will be replaced by a Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament each season.

The county’s prep schools who are not part of the CVC (Hun, Lawrenceville, Peddie, Pennington, and Stuart County Day), as well any Mercer-based Burlington County Scholastic League school like Trenton Catholic Academy or STEM Civics, will no longer be included in the field. Princeton Day School joined the CVC this season and will still be in the tourney mix.

Bailey Basketball Academy Offering Summer Camps

The Bailey Basketball Academy (BBA) is offering two week-long basketball camps this summer along with other specialty hoops programs.

In addition, there will be “First Hoops” options for ages 5-8 (9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.). BBA will also offer “Shot King” shooting instruction and small group player development daily sessions from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting July 1 and running through August 16 for players getting ready for middle school, high school, or club participation.

All players will be required to bring their own water, snacks, and/or lunch for the applicable programs.

For more information, contact Kamau Bailey at (917) 626-5785 or at kamau.bailey@gmail.com.

Mercer

Tennis Hall of Fame

Announces

Class of 2024

The Mercer County Park Commission has announced the Mercer County Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2024 which features five honorees who have made extraordinary achievements in the field of tennis and expanded the popularity of the sport.

The Class of 2024 includes: Jim Cryan, co-director of the Cryan Memorial Tennis Tournament; Mike Ehrenberg, longtime director of the G. Nelson Green Memorial Tournament; Ginny Mason, a founding member and continuous supporter of National Junior Tennis and Learning of Trenton (NJTL); Glenn Michibata, a Wimbledon doubles semifinalist, a former Princeton University

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

The Hall of Fame dinner will be held on June 14 at 6 p.m. at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park, West Windsor.

The Mercer County Tennis Hall of Fame was initiated in 1992 by the Mercer County Tennis Council to recognize people with ties to the County who have made outstanding contributions to the sport. Since the dissolution of the Tennis Council, the Mercer County Park Commission has overseen the nominating committee, voting process and dinner committee. The Hall of Fame honors individuals for their involvement in competition, education, officiating, recreation, media, industry, or in the advancement of tennis.

Induction ceremonies are held every four years, with the honorees selected by 50 leaders in the area’s tennis community. Criteria for induction stipulate that “the record of achievement must be balanced by a reputation that can be admired and respected. Membership is intended to represent a highly selective group.”

Tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner are $100 per person. For more information or to receive an electronic invitation, contact Marc Vecchiolla via email at mvecchiolla@mercercounty.org or by phone at (609) 448-2088. a Princeton tradition!

Princeton High boys’ tennis player Garrett Mathewson smacks a forehand in a match earlier this spring. Last Thursday, sophomore star Mathewson posted a straightset win at first singles to help PHS defeat WW/P-North 5-0. The Tigers, now 9-0, play at Ewing on May 16 before hosting Notre Dame

May 20 and Nottingham on May 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Obituaries

Grace Butler Johnson

Grace Butler Johnson, a longtime resident of Blawenburg, NJ, died surrounded by family at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick, NJ, on Saturday, April 6.

Grace was born on November 22, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Jonathan Fairchild Butler and Mary Elizabeth Putnam. She grew up on Manursing Way in Rye, NY, where she attended the Rye Country Day School and spent her summers learning to sail at the American Yacht Club. She attended high school at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT, and then went on to major in French at Sweet Briar College (VA), where she played field hockey and lacrosse. She had many happy memories of her time at Sweet Briar and was an instrumental part of the recent “Save Sweet Briar” fundraising campaign.

After college, Grace lived in New York City where she worked as a social worker and then held a position with Citibank. While living there, she met her husband of nearly 51 years, Jotham Johnson. They were married in Rye, NY, in 1971. They moved together to Blawenburg, NJ, in 1972, and Grace became heavily involved in the Blawenburg Reformed Church. She held many leadership positions in the church and in the Delaware-Raritan Classis, the regional governance of the Reformed Church in America. At Blawenburg Reformed Church, she served as Deacon, Elder, and Vice President of Consistory. She also initiated the Tentoonstelling and Sinterklaas fundraisers in the Dutch tradition. Gracie led the CROP walk for hunger for many years, and

served the Cemetery, Properties, and Worship Teams. Grace also served numerous terms on the local Classis, including a term as its President.

Her commitment to the church did not stop with Blawenburg. Involved for many years with the Regional Synod, she was described as an enthusiastic volunteer who was generous with her time, talents, and support. In addition to her role as President of the regional Synod for two years, she also served on the Synod’s Executive Committee, Cultural Diversity Team, and Lay Recognition Dinner Planning Committee.

Grace devoted her life to helping and caring for others — be it in the church, the community, her family where she raised three children, or her husband Jotham.

Grace is survived by her three children: Alex and his wife Andrea; Tom and his wife Leigh Morrison; and Sarah and her husband Josh Hendrick; and her brother, Jonathan Butler. She was especially proud of her three grandchildren: Gabriel, Victoria, and Harper. She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Sally Butler Somers, her sister Nancy Butler White, and her husband Jotham Johnson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Blawenburg Reformed Church, 424 Route 518, Skillman, NJ 08558 (BlawenburgChurch.org) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, with a celebration and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Gracie may be made to Blawenburg Reformed Church, PO Box 266, Blawenburg, NJ 08504.

IS ON

Religion

Pennington United Methodists Host June 1 Cemetery Walk

In their ongoing 250th anniversary celebrations, Pennington United Methodist Church (PMC) will host a Cemetery Walk at noon on Saturday, June 1, led by Hopewell Valley Historical Society member and PMC member Jack Davis.

With several hundred graves dating from the 18th century to the early 1900s, the cemetery is located behind an old stone wall on Pennington-Titusville Road west of the Timberlane School.

It is home to the graves of local historical figures as well as Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers. The most famous person buried in this cemetery is the controversial Reverend James Davenport, who preached in the Pennington area in the 1750s after reportedly being driven

to New Jersey because of his scandalous behavior in New England.

Also on the agenda for June 1 will be stories about the soldiers buried in the cemetery, as well as blacksmiths, wheelwrights, and women of the church and other supporters of the church and community.

A church building built by a breakaway group of evangelical Presbyterians stood on the cemetery site from the mid-1700s until about 1826. After that group reunited with the Pennington Presbyterian Church a small group of Methodists started meeting there. Jonathan Bunn had brought the Methodist movement to the Pennington area in 1774, 250 years ago.

All are welcome to the tour on June 1, with participants encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs if needed. Parking is available at the Hopewell Valley School District “Bulldog” parking lot adjacent to the cemetery. See npc,cnj.com for further information.

Take a

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We pride ourselves on being a small, personal, and service oriented family business. With five generations of experience, we are here to help guide you through the difficult process of monument selection.

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Memorial Day: Impact on Real Estate Activity

As the weather warms and the days grow longer, the real estate market typically experiences a shift in activity during Memorial Day weekend. This transition is often marked by a decrease in home buying and selling as families across the nation gear up for a flurry of other activities.

One significant factor contributing to this dip in real estate activity is the prevalence of school graduations. As students celebrate their achievements and families come together to commemorate these milestones, their focus naturally shifts away from house hunting or listing properties.

Moreover, Memorial Day weekend serves as the unofficial kickoff to summer, prompting many to prioritize leisure activities like vacations, barbecues, and outdoor adventures over real estate transactions.

For those in the industry, understanding and anticipating these seasonal trends is crucial for managing expectations and strategizing effectively. So, while the housing market may experience a lull during Memorial Day weekend, it's often just a temporary pause before the summer surge in activity resumes.

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ADVERTISING SALES

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