Hammerstein House Summer Tours Put Musical Theater History On Stage 5 Events Commemorate
Of Hiroshima, Nagasaki Bombings 8
Brothers with Local Roots Write, Perform, And Produce Their Own Songs 11
Reading J.D. Vance On the Rebound 14
Princeton Summer Theater Presents Emergency 15
PU Rowing Alums Roll Into Medal Contention in Opening Weekend of Paris 2024 Olympics 23
Starring on International Stage in U18 European Tourney, Hun Baseball’s Kraemer Helped Great
Share My Meals, the Princeton-based nonpro t dedicated to addressing food insecurity and the environmental impact of food waste, has been awarded a $125,000 sponsorship from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to establish a statewide Meal Recovery Coalition (MRC).
The funding will allow the organization, which recovers surplus nutritious, prepared meals from cafeterias and food services and delivers them to those in need, to expand its reach statewide. According to sharemymeals.org, 1.2 million people in New Jersey are food insecure. And in the food service sector alone, an estimated ve million prepared meals are being wasted each year in the Garden State.
The sponsorship from the NJEDA “will make a substantial difference in ghting food insecurity and food waste in the local community,” said Share My Meals CEO Helene Lanctuit, in a press release.
“The support exempli es Gov. Murphy’s commitment to creating a stronger, fairer, New Jersey, where every individual has access to nutritious food and no meal goes to waste. We look forward to announcing the members of the MRC in the fall.”
Share My Meals and the NJEDA have been partners in the past. Just two months after the nonpro t was founded in January 2020, COVID-19 hit, forcing
Share My Meals to switch from its original premise of recovering meals from corporations to buying meals at cost from local
Six candidates have led to run for three, three-year term seats on the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education (BOE) in the November election. The deadline to le with the Mercer County Clerk’s office was Monday, July 29 at 4 p.m.
The candidates are Christopher Santarpio, Ari Meisel, Erica Snyder, Mara Franceschi, Z. Lisa Potter, and Shenwei Zhao. Franceschi is the only incumbent on the list. BOE members Brian McDonald and Betsy Baglio are not seeking an additional term. McDonald is seeking a spot on Princeton Council, and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
It’s a celebration of, and a re ection on, where the Witherspoon-Jackson community has been, and where it is going. And it’s an annual coming together of the community. The Witherspoon-Jackson Joint Effort Princeton Safe Streets Summer Program kicks off this Friday, August 2, acknowledging the legacy of Princeton resident Paul Robeson, and heralding many more local heroes.
Each day in the program, which runs from Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 11, is named for someone important to the Witherspoon-Jackson community, and also important to Princeton.
“Each one is a ‘hero and sheroe’ to the community,” said John Bailey, Joint Effort Community Sports Program and Joint Effort Princeton Witherspoon-Jackson Community Safe Streets Summer Program founder and director.
“The kickoff brings elected officials and concerned citizens together to recognize
and acknowledge the contributions of African Americans to the Princeton Community,” said Bailey, who grew up in Princeton and is now a consultant and community organizer in Denver, Colo., but gives back to Princeton in many ways.
The festive and informational event has been going on for almost 40 years. In addition to this year’s focus on Princeton activist Paul Robeson, the future of Princeton, and community bonding through panels, sports, and honorees are all on the schedule.
The kick-off event on Friday, August 2, a reception at Studio Hillier, 190 Witherspoon Street from 5 to 7 p.m., is named “A Salute to Our Ancestors.”
Remarks by Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, Council President Mia Sacks, and Councilman Leighton Newlin will precede recognition of several award winners.
These include Dr. Terry McEwen, president and CEO of Tioga Franklin Savings
Bank, the Jim Floyd Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, with remarks by Shirley Satter eld, founder and president of the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society; and Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, winner of the Mildred Trotman Community Service Award, with remarks by Newlin.
Also to be recognized are Jon Bucchere, recently retired Princeton Police chief, with remarks by Bernie Hvozdovic, Princeton administrator; Anastasia ‘Stacie’ Ryan, retiring administrative assistant at the Princeton Recreation Department, with remarks by Evan Moorhead, director of Princeton Recreation Department; and Felicia Spitz, board chair of the Princeton Housing Authority and chair, Princeton Municipal Democratic Committee, with remarks by Sacks.
The Paul Robeson WitherspoonJackson Community Honors will be presented to J. Robert Hillier, principal of
A new initiative designed to foster collaborative, interdisciplinary projects that are beyond the reach of single scholars has been announced by the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS). The Jonathan M. Nelson Center for Collaborative Research will launch its rst call for proposals this fall.
The goal is to support “team-based, theme-based, inter-institutional, and interdisciplinary projects led by Institute scholars in collaboration with researchers across and beyond academia,” reads a release from the IAS. “The Nelson Center will provide seed funding to develop earlystage research ideas, large-scale funding for multi-year research agendas, and the space, infrastructure, and expertise for collaborative projects with partners across the globe.”
Like so many sweeping concepts credited to the IAS — Albert Einstein’s idea of quantum entanglement among them — the plan for the center began germinating over the Institute’s daily ritual of faculty afternoon tea, said IAS Director and Leon Levy Professor David Nirenberg.
“The Institute is famous for the way in which faculty get together over tea. We have such intimacy, and such a drive toward collaboration that comes from that
Continued on Page 7
Just Peachy Festival At Terhune Orchards
Terhune Orchards celebrates peaches on August 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual Just Peachy Festival features a weekend full of family-friendly activities, many of which are included in the price of admission.
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE SUMMER: Terhune Orchards is all about peaches on August 3 and 4, when the Just Peachy Festival offers a variety of events for children and adults. old-fashioned games, pony rides, duckie races, and summer craft activities. Also scheduled are the “Eyes of the Wild” educational traveling zoo program featuring live animals, and bubble parties with an interactive show of bubbles of all kinds, giant bubbles, bubble foam, bubble snow, and more.
peach slushies, locally made peach ice cream, and peach pie. At the winery, Terhune’s award-winning Just Peachy wine as well as red, white, and fruit wines will be available.
Families can visit the barnyard of animals, the Discovery Barn, Little Tots Farm Store, and Junior Mechanics Shop, and participate in a scavenger hunt and
Bill Flemer & Friends provide live music from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. ALBO performs at the same time on Sunday. Pam’s Everything Peachy Pavilion offers summer favorites including
Visitors can pick their own peaches in Terhune’s Peach Orchard, just across the drive from the main farm (not included in admission, no tickets required). For ticket information, visit terhuneorchards.com/peachfestival. Terhune Orchards is located at 330 Cold Soil Road.
Leighton Listens: Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: On July 31 at Hiltons Princeton, 221 Witherspoon Street; August 7 at EFES Mediterranean Grill, 235 Nassau Street; August 14 at Hinds Plaza (special session including Mayor Mark Freda); August 21 at Studio Hillier, 190 Witherspoon Street; and August 28 at Olives, 22 Witherspoon Street. All are welcome.
Community Night Out: Tuesday, August 6 from 5-8 p.m., at 400 Witherspoon Street. Free pool admission, food, face painting, inflatables, DJ, and emergency vehicle displays. Community organizations interested in setting up a table should contact Shahid Abdul-Karim at (609) 921-2100 ext. 255.
Weekday Volunteer Land Stewardship: On Thursday, August 1, 8, 15, and/ or 22, join Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) for a morning volunteer event at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Preserve. Assist with critical trail work, riparian and forest restoration, and invasive species removal. Sessions are held from 9-11 a.m. Register at fopos.org/events-programs.
Food Pantry: Arm in Arm’s mobile food pantry is at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike, on Monday afternoons through August, from 2-4 p.m. Fresh produce, eggs, milk, frozen proteins, and quality baked goods as well as canned and boxed items and personal care items are available for those in need.
Photo Contest: Friends of Princeton Open Space holds the ninth annual Perspectives on Preservation Photo Contest with a submission deadline of September 8. Photos taken at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Open Space area can be submitted by professionals and amateurs; they must have been taken during the past three years. Visit fopos.org for more information.
Backpack and School Supplies Drive: Donate for Princeton children from low-income families so they can be ready for school in the fall. Bring book bags and school supplies by Friday, August 2, to the Human Services office at 1 Monument Drive. For questions, call (609) 688-2055 or email humanservices@ princetonnj.gov.
Literacy Tutoring Program: To help adults improve their English literacy skills, volunteers are needed to work one-on-one or in small groups. Online training is available in August, September, and October. For specific dates and more information, email mercer@literacynj.org or call (609) 587-6027.
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A year ago, on August 1, 2023, the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center (OHMTEC) announced a gift that would allow the nonprofit to secure Highland Farm, the Bucks County, Pa., residence of renowned lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II.
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The long-awaited purchase of Highland Farm, Hammerstein’s home for 20 years, where beloved musicals like Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music were written, was completed in December 2023, and now the nonprofit organization has invited the public to visit the rooms where those and other musicals were written. Summer tours continue through August on Fridays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Visitors to the red farmhouse, which was originally white, can stroll the grounds, see the swimming pool — the first inground pool in Bucks County — and navigate the two staircases to see Hammerstein and his wife Dorothy’s bedroom, Hammerstein’s study, guest rooms, and see the iconic curved balcony porch (not secure enough yet for visitors).
They can look out the windows and see the view that inspired Hammerstein to write the lyrics, “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” (from Oklahoma!) and stroll the grounds of the modest Doylestown, Pa., home where “the big five” shows were written, said board member Christine Junker, who named Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music , and South Pacific (from a novel by another Doylestown resident, James Michener) as written at Highland Farm. Lyrics and most of the librettos (excluding the book for The Sound of Music ) were penned by Hammerstein with music by Richard Rodgers, a collaborator and frequent Highland Farm guest. They will see the guest bedroom where composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim stayed. Sondheim, mentored by Hammerstein, was a friend of his son’s at George School in Newtown, Pa.
Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II was born on July 12, 1895 in New York City. He studied at Columbia Law School, but left to pursue a love of theater. Over his career he contributed lyrics to more than 800 songs, including some of the most notable in American musical theater.
The Hammersteins moved into the house, once on 79 acres but now on five, in 1940 to get away from New York City during World War II, according to the tour information. They lived there for 20 years until Hammerstein’s death at the farm on August 23, 1960.
The mentoring Hammerstein did will be paid forward in the form of an educational center on the site of the barn, now in disrepair but set to be renovated. Plans call for a youth company, classes, mentorship and school programs, and writers’ retreats. The barn has its own interesting tale. The story goes, said Junker, that a previous owner ran a
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Continued from Preceding Page circus, and at one time had a baby elephant in the barn. This is fueled by the thicker than usual barn floor, and an elephant pond out front, and could have been the inspiration for the line in Oklahoma! , “The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye,” said a tour guide.
The property had been a bed and breakfast since 2007. The purchase was made possible by financial support from hundreds of individuals and organizations, including a grant from the Miranda Family Fund (the charitable foundation of playwright and composer Lin Manuel Miranda). The tipping point in the ability to purchase the property was a gift from the estate of philanthropist Ronald Franklin Pratt, a Georgia resident who was passionate about musical theater.
The tours have proven very popular, said Junker, who anticipates that tour dates will be added in the fall. In the meantime, as the summer tours sell out, the organization often adds another tour on the established days at different time, so interested persons should check the website at hammersteinmuseum.org/ tourinfo.
“What do you like best about the 4-H Fair?”
(Asked Saturday at the Mercer County 4-H Fair at Howell Living History Farm)
(Photos by Sarah Teo)
The tours, at $15 a person, are an important source of fundraising. “There are a lot of expenses in maintaining a historic property,” said Junker. The goal for the home is to be able to restore it to the time period when Hammerstein lived there, and to develop the barn area education center.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3RD | RUTH PARKER DAY Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton
tsStree Fish Fry and Community Meet & Greet | 1:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Elks Lodge, 124 Birch Avenue
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4TH | DONALD JOHNSON DAY
Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton Safe tsStree Gospel Music Festival | 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: First Baptist Church of Princeton, 30 Green Street
But the main goal, said Junker, is to promote the Hammerstein legacy not only as a librettist and lyricist, but as a mentor and a humanitarian. Hammerstein, notes the website, “secretly wrote a speech for 1956 Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson,” and helped cofound writer Pearl S. Buck’s Welcome House adoption program in nearby Perkasie, Pa.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH | FRANK WELLS DAY
Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton Safe tsStree Community Discussion on The Future of Princeton | 6:00pm - pm7:30
Location: Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7th
DORIS BURRELL DAY
Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton Safe tsStree
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND | WITHERSPOON JACKSON
Jim Floyd Memorial Community Discussion on Paul Robeson, Chip isherF Memorial Art Exhibit, Scholarship 5:00pm - 8:00pm (5:00pm Reception - 6:00pm Program)
COMMUNITY DAY Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton Safe Streets Kick-Off Reception & WJ Community Salute to
Location: Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10th | LAURA WOOTEN DAY
Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton Safe tsStree Candidate Forum, Panel Discussion on Social Equity And yCommunit Benefits In Princeton | 10:00am-12noon
Location: First Baptist Church of Princeton, 30 Green Street
The late critic and theater writer Terry Teachout, as quoted by a board member on the website from a Wall Street Journal article from July 10, 2018, sums up the feeling he got from visiting the house a few years ago: “To stand … in the room where [Oscar Hammerstein] wrote the words to ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’’ is to know in your bones that for anyone who loves the American musical, the successful preservation of Highland Farm will be the worthiest of causes.”
Youth Basketball Clinic | 10:00 am -12noon
Location: Princeton Middle School (Weather Site - Princeton Middle School, 217 Walnut Ln Community Block Festival | 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Princeton YMCA Pavilion, 59 Paul Robeson Place Community Meet & Greet | 7:30pm Location: Elks Lodge, 124 Birch Avenue
Fall fundraising events will include more tours and a gala, to be announced on the hammersteinmuseum.org website. Donations are accepted on the website. For more information, email hammersteinmuseum@gmail.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11th | JOHN YOUNG DAY Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton Safe tsStree
—Wendy Greenberg
Young Sr. Memorial Basketball Games 10:00am-6:00pm Location: Princeton Middle School, 217 Walnut Ln
Meet & Greet | 6:00pm Location: Elks Lodge, 124 Birch Avenue FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT JOHN BAILEY - johnbailey062@gmail.com
intimacy,” he said. “But we haven’t always had the infrastructure to support projects that are large, or don’t fit in one school. A center for collaborative research is really us doubling down on our eternal mission.”
Nirenberg and IAS faculty began the teatime discussions of the idea more than two years ago. They identified three key needs: “New human and financial capital to support collaborative or multidisciplinary research, increased capacity for largescale projects, and the physical and administrative infrastructure to support projects across and outside the Institute’s four schools of Historical Studies, Social Science, Natural Sciences, and Mathematics,” according to the release.
The Nelson Center will have space in the IAS’ Historical Studies-Social Science Library, which is currently being expanded. The Center is named for trustee Jonathan M. Nelson, founder and chairman of Providence Equity Partners LLC, “someone who really appreciates the kind of culture of discovery at the Institute,” said Nirenberg. Support also comes from the Gerard B. Lambert Foundation.
Nelson said the goals of the Center “are ambitious but consistent with the mission of the Institute. We know that breakthrough discoveries and advancement in deep understanding of profound questions often occur at the boundaries of disciplines. We see this both in the results of collaborations of diverse talent and in the work of individuals who have the rare ability to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. Recognizing this fundamental property of breakthrough learning, the Center’s goal is to encourage and support such work.”
The initiative increases the reach of research by faculty members and expands relationships “with thoughtleaders around the world,” Nelson continued. “Along with others, I am proud to support this new Center and its important goals.”
Joining the Center as executive director on August 1 is David Zielinski, who is currently the head of Harvard Catalyst and associate dean for clinical and translational research at Harvard Medical School.
Founded in 1930, the IAS convenes a cohort of some 250 visiting scholars each year. They conduct research alongside 24 permanent faculty. Early members of that faculty include Einstein, John von Neumann, and Erwin Panofsky. J. Robert Oppenheimer served as IAS director from 1947 to 1966.
“Since its founding, the Institute’s mission has been to create a research community in which talented individuals from all over the world have been able to realize their highest capacity for discovery, uninhibited by boundaries of dogma or discipline,” Nirenberg said in the release. “The Nelson Center strengthens our ability to fulfill that mission into our second century, and expands our ability to explore what Director J. Robert Oppenheimer called ‘the synapses’ between the sciences, humanities and arts, and society.”
—Anne Levin
Womanspace, Inc., a local non-profit organization dedicated to preventing abuse, protecting families, and changing lives through empowerment and a safety net of supportive services, has received a $10,000 grant from Bank of America.
The grant will help provide crucial emergency and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence while improving economic mobility in Mercer County. This funding will enable Womanspace to offer immediate safety and long-term stability to those in need, addressing one of the most urgent challenges faced by survivors: being made homeless by domestic violence.
Womanspace is the only program in Mercer County exclusively focused on providing potentially life-saving services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking. They assist victim survivors at the moment of crisis, throughout their journey of healing, and through to the creation of a self–sufficient life free from violence. Womanspace offers a wide range of services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, court advocacy, crisis hotlines, children’s programs, education and prevention outreach, and more. They serve individuals and families of all geographic, socioeconomic, racial, and religious backgrounds, with a focus on low- to moderate-income individuals.
The grant will support Womanspace’s Emergency and Transitional Housing program, which provides safe housing, supportive services, and resources to help victim-survivors achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of violence.
“Bank of America’s generous support will enable us to continue offering lifesaving services to those in desperate need of safety and stability,” said Nathalie S. Nelson, CEO and Executive Director of Womanspace, Inc. “We appreciate Bank of America’s generous support and continued investment in our mission to empower survivors and strengthen our community.”
The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to addressing the needs of individuals and families, including basic needs and workforce development.
“Womanspace’s programs are a lifeline to the community, offering refuge and resources to the Mercer County area,” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey. “Their efforts play a critical role in helping survivors of domestic violence as they navigate immediate crises and regain independence.”
Supporting Share My Meals
JM Group has raised $16,500 to support the local organization Share My Meals. This past April, the JM Group restaurant Kristine’s hosted “A Night in Paris” with the nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity and the environmental impact of food waste.
Share My Meals delivers healthy meals in local
communities. Event sponsors included WSFS Bank, The Darby Foundation, Canal Vista Family Dental, NJM Insurance Group, Vineyard Brands, Bonhomie Wine Imports, HTI, Eurest, and Axens.
“Kristine’s dedication and support of Share My Meals over the years have been instrumental in helping us fulfill our mission to fight food insecurity and reduce the environmental impact of food waste,” said Hélène Lanctuit, CEO of Share My Meals. “Our partnership not only raises vital funds, but also fosters a sense of community and shared goal to support families in need.”
Bikes will be back at Mercer Meadows on Saturday evening, September 14 for the ninth annual Full Moon Bike Ride, co-sponsored by the Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT) and Mercer County Park Commission. The ride begins at Rosedale Lake off Federal City Road between Blackwell Road and Old Mill Road in Pennington.
Participants can compete for prizes during the sixmile ride. A DJ will be on hand, and highlights include “Asteroid Alley,” glow-in-thedark juggling with the Trenton Circus Squad, and live music. At the end, s’mores will be available around the campfire. Although the moon will be nearly full and offering some light, front and rear bike lights are still a must. Helmets are required by New Jersey law for those under 18, and the Lawrence Hopewell Trail encourages all others to wear one as well.
Registration check-in begins at 7 p.m. The ride kicks off with a special send-off at 7:30 p.m., but participants can start later as well. All riders must be off the course by 9:30 p.m. The ride is open to those 12 and older.
“We are very proud that the Full Moon Ride has attracted cyclists from near and far, new riders and repeat riders to what has become our signature event,” said LHT Board Chair David Sandahl. “It’s hard to top a fun ride in a beautiful park under the light of the moon.”
“I’m proud that Mercer County can continue to support this great event,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “After years of planning and work, it’s incredible to see the Lawrence Hopewell Trail nearing completion. I believe that the trail’s success can serve as a blueprint as we work to expand and connect our trail systems throughout Mercer.”
The event is a fundraiser for the Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corp., which helps develop and maintain the trail. This year’s ride comes as the Lawrence Hopewell Trail moves closer to completion. Five short segments of the 20-mile trail remain to be built. Pre-construction work has already begun on one: a boardwalk in Lawrence Township’s Maidenhead Meadows park that will eliminate the interim route on Princeton Pike. All other segments are in some stage of development. The goal is to finish the trail by the end of 2026.
Visit lhtrail.org for more details and registration information.
BEES, SPIDERS, AND MORE: Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands leads a Bug Safari on Saturday, August 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting at Mapleton Preserve’s D&R Canal State Park Headquarters, 145 Mapleton Road in
North Witherspoon Street is undergoing a beautification project this summer but is open for business! Visit Delizioso Bakery + Kitchen today for some of the best pastries and coffee in Princeton, but don’t stop there! The breakfast and lunch menus are not to be missed. Also, be sure to visit the other Witherspoon Street businesses while you’re there!
Two local events, one in person and the other online, will commemorate the atomic bombings of Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945 and Nagasaki, Japan, on August 9, 1945. Both are estimated to have killed hundreds of thousands of people both from exposure to the blasts and from longterm effects of radiation.
One event is the 45th annual commemoration by the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) on Monday, August 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Hinds Plaza. The other, sponsored by Princeton Public Library (PPL) and the Historical Society of Princeton (HSP), is an online informational event on the legacy of Manhattan Project director J. Robert Oppenheimer, to be presented on August 7 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
“The Coalition for Peace Action has held commemorations of the Hiroshima/
Nagasaki bombings every year since our founding in 1980,” said the Rev. Robert Moore, CFPA’s executive director, in a press statement.
“The purpose is not to look back with 20-20 hindsight to question whether the atomic bombings in 1945 were justified. What’s done is done. Rather, our reason for having these commemorations is to remember the absolute horror that nuclear weapons represent and face the real and growing threat they present today. On this 79th anniversary, we recommit ourselves to working for the global abolition of nuclear weapons so such total destruction can never again be inflicted.”
Moore added that it is important to hold these gatherings to remind younger generations of that existential threat. “These commemorations are important,” he said in a call on Monday. “In the
past, the survivors would send delegations to be guest speakers because they felt passionate to help people remember. But, now many are deceased or too old to travel, and their children are picking up the mantle.”
At the CFPA event, peace activist Shiho Burke, whose family’s firsthand experience of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima — including her mother’s survival — informs and inspires her work, will be keynote speaker at the event on Hinds Plaza, adjacent to the Princeton Public Library at 65 Witherspoon Street. A moment of silence will take place at 7:15 p.m., which corresponds to 8:15 a.m. Hiroshima time, August 6, the moment when the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima.
At the same event, CFPA member Jeff Laurenti will give a historical retrospective from the 1945 bombings, through the nuclear arms race, to the major nuclear arms reductions of the 1980s, and a 21st century perspective on the challenges society faces with a new nuclear arms race and the looming expiration of the New START Treaty, the only remaining nuclear arms restraint among the countries that hold nuclear weapons.
The START Treaty (a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the U.S. and Russian Federation signed in 2010), said Moore, is in force only until 2026. “We need people to get the nuclear reduction process restarted, because the involvement
of average citizens is essential to preventing a new nuclear arms race, and move toward global abolition of nuclear weapons,” he said, and added that often people who attend events like the commemoration become active or “reactivated.”
The program will also include music from The Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey State Industrial Union Council, as well as folding origami cranes — the Japanese symbol for globally banning nuclear weapons — with instructions for children. Candle lighting with closing musical selections will conclude the program.
Preceding the event, at 6 p.m., attendees can join a “bring your own” picnic on Hinds Plaza (no alcohol), where tables and chairs are already set up. In the event of inclement weather, the entire event will be moved indoors to Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street. That decision will be made the morning of August 5, based on the weather forecast, and communicated on CFPA’s website at peacecoalitioin.org and on social media. Those who want to attend are encouraged to email Jennifer New at jnew@peacecoalition.org with name(s) and number planning to attend, to help with logistics. Those unable to attend will be able to watch a recording which will be posted on CFPA’s “Recent Events” page after the event.
The second program, cosponsored by the historical society and library, will offer information not covered in the Academy Award-winning movie Oppenheimer (filmed partly in Princeton), such as stories about the local academics recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, and provides additional historic context. The “Oppenheimer and Princeton” virtual talk is in commemoration of the bombings.
Presenters will be HSP Director of Programs and Outreach Eve Mandel and Heather Jahrling, a visitor services associate at HSP and a third-year Ph.D. student at Princeton University who specializes in 20thcentury American urban, technological, and carceral history.
Alicia M. Defreitas, a professional administrator who has worked in the nonprofit humanitarian sector her entire career, has joined Princeton Community Housing’s (PCH) senior leadership as its director of finance and administration.
She succeeds Janet McClafferty, who served in the role for nine years and is transitioning to her retirement. Defreitas will round out PCH’s senior management team including Executive Director Edward Truscelli and Director of Mission Advancement Kate Bech.
Throughout her career, Defreitas served as the finance director, global infectious disease for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing military medicine. She also worked with the Catholic Medical Missions Board (CMMB), an international nonprofit organization that provides global health services to the world’s poor with an emphasis on mothers and children.
Oppenheimer is often called the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in overseeing the development of the first nuclear weapons at Los Alamos, N.M. “We highlight all the local places connected to Oppenheimer, and talk about the filming of the movie and how it affected the community,” said Mandel. “The talk also features Princeton scientists that worked on the Manhattan Project — not all of them featured in the movie, especially women. We then decided to explore other areas that the movie left out, like the effect of the Los Alamos laboratory and Trinity test on the Hispanic and Indigenous people who lived and ranched in the area.”
The program she said, has been presented at a few libraries and residential communities in Mercer and Union counties and has gotten a “great response.”
Registration is through the PPL at princetonlibrary.libnet.info/event/11284784.
—Wendy Greenberg
Additionally, she served as the controller for Orbis International, a global humanitarian organization dedicated to saving sight and blindness prevention, and worked with other nonprofits with a focus on reducing hunger and providing legal services. A former member of the Army National Guard for six years, she earned her B.B.A. degree in accounting from Hunter College in New York City.
“We feel very fortunate to have Alicia on board,” said Truscelli. “She brings a wealth of experience and a wide range of skills to us, including strategic financial planning as well as operations, with focus on collaboration and team building.”
“After 16 years of near constant international travel in my career, I’d been thinking a lot about the meaning of home,” Defreitas said, “so I didn’t hesitate to pursue this opportunity. The PCH mission resonates deeply with me, and I appreciate the difference an affordable home can make in transforming one’s life and how fundamental it is as a foundation for health, safety, security, and success.”
Send Hunger Packing Seeks Community Partners
To address food insecurity in Princeton and help people in time of need, Send Hunger Packing Princeton (SHUPP) established free food pantries stocked with shelf stable food in Princeton starting over a decade ago at the YMCA Princeton, near the Free Garden. The organization is currently looking for individuals or organizations to adopt a pantry.
Since the first pantry was installed, six have been added around town. The newest are located at the Princeton Nursery School, 78 Leigh Avenue; the Municipal Building, 400 Witherspoon Street; the Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street; Princeton Community Village, 1 Holly House off Bunn Drive; and Princeton Housing Authority, 179 Spruce Circle.
SHUPP has also established gardens at the Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton Community Village, Princeton High School, the Princeton YMCA and YWCA, and Tortuga’s Mexican Village (41 Leigh Avenue).
The pantries are freestanding cabinets located outside, allowing community members to access shelf stable foods at any time of day or night. These pantries are a part of a nationwide trend to address food insecurity. SHUPP oversees the pantries and restocks as necessary, so as to maintain a consistent supply of food items.
For information about becoming a partner, contact shupprinceton.org.
Joint Effort Safe Streets
continued from page one Studio Hillier (and a Town Topics shareholder); the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society; and Tommy Parker, a beloved community member, activist, and co-founder of the American Legion Post 218 baseball team, and its general manager and coach.
“The entire event is dedicated to the WitherspoonJackson community, Princeton’s 20th Historic District and focused on Paul Robeson,” said Bailey. “In this time of chaos, contradictions, and confusion, Robeson’s legacy, his story, and his leadership in social justice is a must read. If people were trees, Paul Robeson would be the tallest tree in the forest.”
Robeson, who was born in Princeton and spent his childhood in Princeton, was a social justice activist who was also renowned for his bass-baritone singing voice.
“The important thing is for the young people to know their history and from whence they came, and that it is important not to lose sight that Princeton is of national historical significance, and the African American community’s role in that,” said Bailey, who added, “It’s about bringing folks together, and bringing the community out for meaningful activities.”
The schedule is filled with both fun and meaningful activities. Saturday August 3, designated Ruth Parker Day, will include a fish fry and community meet and greet from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 124 Birch Avenue.
Sunday, August 4, Donald Johnson Day, features the Capital Health Gospel Music Festival from 5 to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Princeton, 30 Green Street, with musical selections by Dr. Donald Locklear and the First Baptist Church of Princeton Choir; Karen Yvette Jones; Dennis Rogers, Sam Frisby and Friends, and Jennifer Bell and the Faith Band.
The day will also include remarks by Lance Liverman, who is a trustee of the First Baptist church of Princeton, and a poem read by the Rev. Gregory Scott Smith, pastor of Fisk Chapel AME church. Several families will make presentations on their family histories.
Tuesday, August 6 is Frank Wells Day, and will include a community panel discussion, “A Sense of Where We Are,” at the Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, from 6 to 7 p.m.
The panel, discussing the future of the town, it’s “vision, voice, viable plan, a sense of where we are” will include Mercer County
Commissioner Sam Frisby; Sacks; Newlin; Hillier; Josh Zinder, principal, Josh Zinder Architect + Design; Sheldon Sturges, founder of Princeton Future; Deanna Stockton; Princeton municipal engineer; Beth Behrend, member of the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education; Spitz; and Christine Symington, executive director, Sustainable Princeton.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson will speak on the role of Princeton and other municipalities in the county, and will receive the Jim Floyd Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award.
Frisby will receive the Paul Robeson Witherspoon-Jackson Community Honors.
Wednesday, August 7, will include a discussion on Paul Robeson, the Chip Fisher Memorial Art Exhibit, and scholarship presentations from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Arts Council of Princeton. Remarks will be given by State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, Newlin, and Councilman David Cohen.
A special video on Robeson will be shown, and a panel on Robeson’s legacy will include Ben Colbert of The Paul Robeson House; Satterfield; Adam Welch, executive director, Arts Council of Princeton; Rhonda Stewart, Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice, Raritan Valley Community College; Janice Sykes Ross, West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Paul Robeson House and Museum; the Rev. Gregory Scott Smith; and Joy Barnes Johnson, The Paul Robeson House.
Saturday, August 10, Laura Wooten Day, features a community panel discussion on “The Future of the Town: Governance and Leadership,” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (networking at 9:30 a.m.) at the First Baptist Church of Princeton, 30 Green Street.
A Joint Effort Bailey Basketball Academy Hoops Clinic will be held at Princeton Middle School from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group Community Block Festival is planned from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Princeton YMCA field, 59 Paul Robeson Place. One topic for this day’s agenda discussion is “Robeson, Reparations, and DEI: The National Pushback.”
On Sunday, August 11, John Young Day, the Pete Young Sr. Memorial Basketball Games will take place at Princeton Middle School from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The basketball games are sponsored in conjunction with the Princeton Recreation Department, Princeton Police Department and PBA #130, Princeton Public Schools, and the Bailey Basketball Academy.
—Wendy Greenberg
Insect Zoo and More At Butterfly
The Watershed Institute presents the ninth annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, August 3 at 31 Titus Mill Road in Pennington. Two sessions, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., will be held. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is encouraged.
The popular, family-oriented event will feature tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House and the Insect Zoo. There will be music and live entertainment throughout the day, including animal shows featuring Eyes of the Wild. Young children can be a part of the famous Butterfly and Bug Parade led by Lady Monarch, while adults and older children can learn about watersheds and the need to protect our rivers, lakes, and streams through educational, hands-on exhibits.
Exhibitors are Sprout U School of the Arts, Painted Oak Nature School, Capital Health, Apple Montessori School, Fairgrown Farm, the New Jersey Beekeepers Association, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and Stuart Day School of the Sacred Heart.
Food and drink will be available for sale, including a water truck provided by New Jersey American Water. Butterfly wings and other fun items are available at the Watershed Gift Shop. Admission is $10 per person or $25 per carloads of up to six people. Dogs are not permitted. Visit thewatershed.org for more information.
Sustainable Princeton Holds “Step Up Challenge”
Sustainable Princeton and Fleet Feet Princeton are inviting those who live or work in Princeton to take part in a “Step Up Challenge” through August. Prizes will be donated by Fleet Feet, the Nassau Street footwear store.
Winners will be announced at eCommuter Fest on Saturday, September 7 at the Princeton Shopping Center. Those entering the contest do not need to be present to win. The grand prize is an outfitting experience with complimentary shoes and insoles, up to a $225 value. Second prize is a walking safety kit, while third prize is a pair of Goodr sunglasses.
Registration can be done anytime in August, but winners will be chosen by cumulative steps taken throughout August. Participants do not need a smartwatch or wearable fitness tracker to take part. As long as the app is open on a phone, steps can be counted without impacting the phone’s battery.
Sustainable Princeton encourages people to walk to work, the store, meetings, and doctors in town instead of driving. The benefits include exercise, fresh air, less traffic, and savings on gasoline, as well as lowering one’s carbon footprint.
For more information and to register, visit sustainableprinceton.org or email info@ sustainableprinceton.org.
FLUTTERING AT THE WATERSHED: The annual Butterfly Festival at The Watershed Institute brings a host of nature-themed activities to the center on Titus Mill Road on Saturday, August 3. Two sessions are planned and pre-registration is strongly recommended.
Chinmaya Vrindavan Marks 10th Anniversary
A weekend of festivities will be held August 9-11 to honor Swami Chinmayananda’s legacy of spiritual teaching, community service, and devotion at Chinmaya Mission Vrindavan, 95 Cranbury Neck Road in Cranbury.
Chinmaya Vrindavan
Cranbury 10th Anniversary celebrations include a variety of programs from
spiritual discourses to dance and music. Participants can sample Indian vegetarian food from a variety of restaurants, shop for Indian traditional jewelry and clothing, and experience cultural programs from area dance and music schools.
Resident Pujya Swami Shantananda ji will discuss “Key to Success,” empowering listeners to explore their potential. Among the topics of planned workshops
are art of action and focus, saatvik cooking, coding, robotics, SAT/ ACT college prep, health camps, public speaking, financial and estate planning, inner healing, elder care, garland-making, and more.
The Saturday evening session will conclude with the traditional, colorful Garba and Dandia dance where everyone can join in. There will be a workshop to teach basic steps to those who are new. Kids can participate in games, arts and crafts, face painting, and more. Raffle prizes are given out every day.
The consul general of India in New York, the Honorable Binaya S Pradhan, and the mayors of Cranbury, Plainsboro and West Windsor Townships are scheduled to attend. For more information, visit chinmayavrindavan.org.
to families and seniors who needed them. The NJEDA assisted with that.
As the pandemic eased, the nonprofit was able to return to its original mission of recovering surplus meals, which became the Meal Recovery Program.
“When we decided to set up the Coalition, which is meant to be a collaboration between the private and public sectors, we went to them [the NJEDA] and asked for support,” Lanctuit said in a phone conversation. “We keep growing. We keep reaching out to new corporations with cafeterias, hospitals, food service providers such as caterers, and educational institutions — where food goes to waste.”
Feeding the hungry is one part of the equation; helping the environment is another. Recovering the meals keeps food waste out of landfills. Last year, Share My Meals recovered and served 62,000 prepared meals from 52 food donors. Working with their 25 nonprofit partners, the organization distributed the meals to 1,500 throughout New Jersey. As a result, 220,000 pounds of CO2 equivalent were saved from food waste diverted from landfills.
Food safety is another key component. Share My Meals was able to refine its safety processes during the pandemic. “Thanks to a grant from the NJEDA, and having the time, we now have a technique that
enables us to expand and manage the flow of meals in real time. Tracking those meals can be much faster than it used to be,” Lanctuit said.
The NJEDA sponsorship will equip Share My Meals to recover and distribute more meals, and will empower other organizations to undertake meal recovery.
“Under Gov. Murphy’s leadership, NJEDA is committed to supporting and scaling creative approaches to combating food insecurity,” said the agency’s CEO Tim Sullivan. “By employing meal recovery as a source of quality food for those in need, Share My Meals is demonstrating an innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly path forward. The NJEDA is dedicated to investing in initiatives that will improve food access for New Jersey residents, and that have the potential to serve as a replicable model for the rest of the nation.”
The nonprofit has expanded from Mercer County to Morristown, Camden, Somerset, and beyond.
The goal is to make meal recovery the norm for food service across New Jersey, making the State a leader in strengthening food security.
“One of the objectives is to create a national model for education,” said Lanctuit. “That’s a longer-term goal. There is so much more to do first in New Jersey.”
—Anne Levin
Meals on Wheels Holds
Meals on Wheels of Mercer County (MOWMC) will host the Paws for Our Cause Walk and Family Wellness Fair on Saturday, October 19 at Rosedale Park in Pennington. The event begins at 1 p.m.
The fundraiser is to generate essential support for the MOWMC senior nutrition program and Pet Pantry. The organization feeds nearly 600 homebound seniors a year, as well as their pets.
“MOWMC not only ensures our seniors receive essential nutrition, they also help ensure they are not alone — through the visits their volunteers provide; and maybe as importantly, ensuring they can keep their beloved pets,” said event co-chair Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, executive director of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities.
“Research shows that pets have many health benefits for older adults, including improved cognitive, mental, and physical health. I am so proud to be able to be part of making this a reality.”
Family members of all ages can participate in petrelated and other activities that encourage a healthy lifestyle. Programs at the event will include a pet costume contest, pet food collection, family exercise demonstrations, nutritional counseling, music, a basket auction, pet adoption with Easel, and more.
Visit mealsonwheels.org for more information.
Rider Names New Dean Of College of
Rider University has appointed Jeannine DingusEason as dean of its College of Education and Human Services. She began on July 22.
Dingus-Eason most recently served as the dean of the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development at Rhode Island College. During her tenure, she created a vision for school-wide improvements, which included a successful accreditation renewal, implementation of a new assessment system, expansion of partnerships with K-12 districts and community organizations, and development of new degree programs and certification pathways.
“I am excited to join the Rider University community and to have the opportunity to enhance the College’s outstanding academic reputation,” said DingusEason. “I look forward to collaborating with faculty, staff and students alike to broaden our regional impact through partnerships, clinical placements and developing new program pathways to address critical educator pipeline issues.”
As a first-generation college graduate, Dingus-Eason places immense value on higher education access for Black and Latino students. She is especially committed to expanding the ranks of K-12 teachers of color. As a leader in teacher education policy and advocacy at both the state and national levels, she has supported reforms and initiatives aimed at diversifying the teacher pipeline.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Dingus-Eason to the Rider community,” said DonnaJean Fredeen, provost and senior vice president of academic and student affairs. “She is an accomplished leader with a keen vision for supporting and mentoring today’s educators.”
Dingus-Eason has published dozens of scholarly works and presented at numerous national and international conferences. Most recently, she authored the book A Thousand Worries: Black Women Mothering Autistic Sons . It examines how 14 Black mothers — including Dingus-Eason — support and advocate for their autistic sons. Some of her other research interests include Black educational issues, Black teachers in contemporary and historical contexts, and the recruitment and retention of teachers of color.
Dingus-Eason earned her bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in secondary English education from the University of Rochester and her doctorate from the University of Washington. She is a former English teacher in the Rochester City School District.
D&R Greenway Celebrates 35 Years of Preserving Land
Two hundred friends of D&R Greenway Land Trust gathered on Sunday, June 9 in Meredith’s Garden for Inspiration at the Johnson Education Center to celebrate the nonprofit’s 35th anniversary of preserving land and inspiring a conservation ethic.
The event included the presentation of the 2024 Donald B. Jones Conservation Award to sustainability advocate Liz Cutler, with special recognition given to future conservationists.
They included the Young Families of Bahai, Ridgeview Conservancy Turtles, Princeton Day School’s Environmental Action Club (EnAct), and 3 Helping Hands.
For more information about D&R Greenway Land Trust, visit drgreenway.org.
On Sunday, July 28, Princeton Police responded to TD Bank at 883 State Road on the report of a panic alarm activation. Shortly thereafter, a bank teller called 911 to report a robbery.
The investigation revealed that a suspect entered the bank at 2:56 p.m., approached the teller counter, displayed a black semi-automatic handgun, and presented the teller with a note demanding money. After receiving an undetermined amount of cash, the suspect left the bank and was last seen walking southbound on Route 206 near the Exxon Gas Station at 870 State Road.
The suspect is described as female, approximately 35-45 years old, 5’7 tall with a heavyset build, wearing a white T-shirt, tan sweatpants, purple opentoe shoes, red glasses, and a necklace. She was also wearing a blue “distressed” baseball hat with two embroidered white Ls, one of which was backward.
Anyone with information about the incident or suspect is asked to contact Det. Daniel Chitren at (609) 921-2100, extension 2154, or by email at dchitren@ princetonnj.gov.
Princeton Police posted the following information on their Instagram account, as a reminder for residents to lock their cars and take all valuables inside of their homes.
From the Hopewell Township Police: On early Sunday (July 28) morning between 1:30 and 3:30 a.m., over 30 vehicle burglaries occurred in Hopewell Township. All vehicles entered were left unlocked, and many with car keys inside. No vehicles were stolen, however cash, cards, and other items were taken from the vehicles. The incidents occurred in the northeast section of Hopewell Township and in Hopewell Borough (Taylor Terr, Cedar, View Point, Crestview, Bailey Drive, Van Dyke, Howard). Hopewell Township Police would like to remind and encourage all residents to lock their vehicles.
Det. Collins is assigned to the case, and working leads on this active investigation.
Anyone with additional footage of the incidents or suspects can contact Collins at (609) 737-3100 ext. 5790.
On July 20, at 2:03 a.m., subsequent to a motor vehicle stop on Alexander Street, a 23-year-old male from Princeton Junction was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed, charged accordingly, and released.
On July 19, at 7:46 a.m., it was reported that several construction tools were stolen from inside a residence on Patton Avenue. The total value of the stolen items is $3,093. There are no suspects at this time.
On July 19, at 7:46 a.m., an individual reported that they were told they had won a prize and in order to claim the prize, they would need to provide payment for several processing documents. In total, the Adams Drive resident provided an unknown suspect $334,000 via online transfers. This incident is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.
On July 15, at 10:11 a.m., a woman reported the theft of her vehicle’s driver’s side headlight while the car was parked on George Drive, sometime between July 14 and 15. She reported seeing a suspicious white van being operated by a male traveling through the neighborhood in the week leading up to the theft.
On July 15, at 11:17 a.m., a Leigh Avenue resident reported that an unknown person entered his home and disturbed several items while inside. He reported that he observed open doors, a broken window shade, and debris on the bathroom window sill, all of which occurred sometime after he left the residence.
On July 15, at 2:01 p.m., a Grasmere Way resident reported that a personal check was stolen from his mailbox, forged, and deposited into an account unknown to him. He said that his check was altered from $470.10 to $2,470.10, and made payable to an unknown party. He suffered a monetary loss of $2,470.10 as a result.
On July 12, at 3:21 p.m., an individual reported that an unknown person stole his wallet, which contained $150 in cash and several credit cards, on July 11, from an establishment on Hulfish Street. He later noticed unauthorized charges of $3,284 and $232.44 to his credit cards, totaling $3,666.44. The suspect is described as a heavyset male with a “salt and pepper” beard wearing a black bucket hat, white longsleeve T-shirt, black pants, sunglasses, and a Nike backpack.
On July 9, at 1:28 p.m., it was reported that on July 8 a male, possibly in his late 40s or 50s and wearing a white T-shirt, green baseball style hat, and dark pants, shoplifted two bottles of alcohol from a retail establishment on North Harrison Street. He was later identified as a 54-year-old male from Trenton, and subsequently charged with shoplifting and defiant trespass. Unless noted, individuals arrested were later released.
Roger and James Palmer have been making music together since their early childhood. Recently, the Princeton natives — Roger, a recent graduate of Rutgers University who teaches at Princeton Child Development Institute; and James, a student at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Massachusetts — have taken their talents to the next level with the release on Spotify of two of their songs.
Their band, XROADRUNNER, has developed a following in New Brunswick. The siblings can boast multiple musical talents. Both play guitar and drums. James is a classically trained cellist.
“He plays a plethora of instruments,” Roger said of his younger brother. “We’ve been practicing for a number of years. I played drums independently for three years. On top of guitar with James at home, I
taught him the drums. He was my little prodigy when he was growing up. I taught him guitar, too. He finally decided to take it seriously through school, which is something I didn’t.”
With the band, James plays bass while Roger handles guitar and vocals. “On the recording, it’s just the two of us,” Roger said.
“In some of the songs, I’m on drums; some he’s on drums. We take pride in the fact that we do it all; just the two of us. But when we play live, we have a drummer.”
Roger describes XROADRUNNER’s style as “alternative rock, hard rock,” he said. “Our influences are Radiohead, and the bands Queens of the Stone Age and Arctic Monkeys.”
The brothers have always written songs together.
“We have lots that we’ve just kind of sat on over the years. We recently decided to hop in the studio and try to record them,” Roger
said. “We did some demos, recorded on our own. We’ve been sitting on nine songs at this point, and have two released. We’re hoping to release all of our music. We’d like to drop an album. That’s kind of our end goal.”
Roger and James grew up in Princeton and Montgomery. Their Princeton connections include mother Molly Lependorf, a clinical psychologist in private practice; stepfather Mario Cucchi, who owns Thomas Sweet ice cream and candy stores; and uncle Gabriel Lependorf , a local personal injury attorney. Going back further, their grandfather was assistant director for 40 years of Princeton University’s counseling service, and their grandmother was a public defender in Trenton. The brothers started taking XROADRUNNER seriously when Roger began writing guitar snippets and lyrics in his bedroom.
“James started adding sweet bass parts underneath, and from there, they both knew they wanted to take this to the next level,” reads their official bio. “Combining the vintage sound of the Strokes in the early 2000s with Metallica-esque riffs, Roger and James consider music a form of connection where they can build off of each other’s energies and work to each other’s strengths. Their vision for a laid-back yet musically intricate aesthetic reflects their unique personalities; while Roger writes the more general structure for songs, James uses his extensive musical background to fill in the finer details.”
Once they drop an album — hopefully by December at the latest — the brothers are hoping to expand beyond Princeton and New Brunswick. “We want to go and find some gigs in New York,” said Roger, “or in Boston, if James keeps cultivating his connections there.”
XROADRUNNER can be sampled on Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube videos. —Anne Levin
D&R Greenway Land Trust will present a talk and signing of Wendy Kvalheim’s newest book, Splendid Settings — 100 Years of Mottahedeh Design, at the historic Discovery Center at Point Breeze in Bordentown. The event, which will take place on Saturday, August 3, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., will delve into the world of porcelain on the site of what was “once one of the most picturesque estates in the U.S.”
Mottahedeh is a reproduction company that has been creating beautiful pieces of porcelain, brass, and ceramic for 100 years. The company was founded by Persian immigrant Rafi Mottahedeh, who was later joined by his wide Mildred, and was inspired by the couple’s love for antiques. Kvalheim, the current CEO and director of design, has led the company for 30 years and has helped produce items for historic locations like Mount Vernon and Colonial Williamsburg, both in Virginia.
Kvalheim’s book features hundreds of the different porcelain designs created by Mottahedeh over the past 100 years. Each design has a story and is explored in this collection.
“We feel that it is important to tell the stories behind these designs as these are people who did this, like you and me, who contributed to our culture with creations that have stood the test of time as all great design does,” Kvalheim said about the book.
Point Breeze is the historic estate of Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother and exiled king of Spain. Bonaparte fled Europe
after his brother was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and eventually settled in New Jersey. While a resident of New Jersey, Bonaparte built a public park on his estate where everyday people could tour the European-style grounds. The landscape of the park at the time was designed in a style to remind Bonaparte of his home in France.
“I can’t think of a more perfect place to talk about Mottahedeh’s exquisite porcelain designs and their history than at the home of a former king,” said Linda Mead, president and CEO of D&R Greenway Land Trust. “Mottahedeh designed a set of china for America’s White House.”
Kvalheim is a longtime member of D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Board of Trustees and has supported efforts to preserve Point Breeze and continue the work of the Discovery Center.
“Love for the natural beauty and wildlife that make this our Garden State is my motivating influence in joining with D&R Greenway to plan the future as we want it to be for generations to come,” said Kvalheim. The event is open to the public. Signed books and Mottahedeh porcelain will be available for purchase, a portion of which will help support D&R Greenway Land Trust and future events at the Discovery Center. A fee of $10 per person supports programs at the Discovery Center and can be paid online at registration or at the door. Light refreshments will be served. Attendees can register at info@drgreenway.org. Visit drgreenway. org for more information
To the Editor:
We recently attended a Council meeting about housing development at the seminary. At that meeting, many members of the public voiced enthusiastic support for the project, but many neighbors cited concerns ranging from cutting down trees to changing the neighborhood character to the fact that only 20 percent of the units will be affordable housing.
While these are of course reasonable concerns, the fact is that the Council and Planning Board have been working on this for several years, and they have addressed many of these things already. For example, it would be wonderful to preserve every tree on site, but that’s not realistic, and our regulations require as many as possible to be replaced. Some might prefer if the project were 100 percent affordable housing, but that is not financially feasible, and anyway Princeton needs more housing of all types, not just deed-restricted affordable. Some residents worry about stormwater runoff, but in fact the law requires all stormwater to be retained on the property, meaning the development will likely improve the neighbors’ situation.
We are sympathetic to people who love their neighborhoods and their small, intimate character. We do too. But here’s the deal: Princeton and New Jersey writ large face an affordability crisis that cannot be solved without expanding housing supply. We need housing units, and more specifically, we need affordable housing units: state law obliges our town to meet its fair share of affordable housing, and if we don’t do it, the law says that any builder can sue the town for the opportunity to develop the site as they wish, without any community input. We’ve already lost one opportunity to develop this site in a tasteful manner because of neighborhood opposition. The current plan is not perfect, but we cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The project is almost the definition of smart growth: it is walkable to downtown jobs, services, and transit, and has made real efforts to mitigate its environmental
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impact by including green building components and to accommodate the neighborhood by doing things like putting the garage underground (at considerable expense) to avoid an unsightly parking lot. If we don’t seize this opportunity to build on our local leaders’ hard work to develop the site in a harmonious, environmentally sensitive way, we risk a much less thoughtful replacement being imposed on us by an outside developer.
More importantly, it is the right thing to do. We who live in Princeton are extraordinarily lucky to live in a uniquely wonderful place. There is something both profoundly unfair and deeply unrealistic about Princetonians trying to keep this place to ourselves by cutting off reasonable growth in our town. We are confident that if we instead try to shape that growth according to our shared values, the arrival of new neighbors will only enrich the character of the town we are proud to call home.
JANE MANNERS Wheatsheaf Lane
JEFFREY OAKMAN Valley Road
To the Editor:
My wife and I have a 40-plus year appreciation of the special place that is Princeton and feel privileged to own a circa-1830 house in the Mercer Hill Historic District for the past 11 years. We have a deep respect for history and the firm belief that the historic buildings that comprise the rich fabric of this special town need to be honored and carefully preserved. Indeed, the longer a building survives in its appreciably original state, the greater the need for it to be protected against alteration. We are merely the stewards of a house and barn that are temporarily in our care. I would argue that institutional owners have an even greater mandate to be thoughtful stewards of their historic buildings, as they will surely have much longer periods of ownership.
The exterior envelope materials of buildings in the various historic districts in Princeton are within the purview of the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) with regard to proposed renovations and alterations. The Commission is meant to be guided by the Princeton HPC Plan Ordinance, Sustainability Principles, and Standards for Rehabilitation. Those criteria are extremely specific and not written to invite subjective interpretation.
glass, exterior metal framing material, and a mimicry of the original divided sash design. Conversely, the Review Criteria guidelines in the HPC Ordinance mandate that 1) original materials should be maintained and repaired rather than replaced, and 2) do not allow substitute materials to be used in the renovation of an historic building unless it can be proved by an independent condition report that specific areas of materials are not serviceable and not able to be restored or repaired. The renovation development plans proposed by the architects for PTS for their Alexander Street houses do not constitute independent condition reports; rather, they are biased toward an advocacy supporting a preconceived planning approach to renovating these houses — an approach that would remove still-serviceable historic materials, only to be deposited in landfills. Those actions would be environmentally irresponsible, unsustainable, and morally indefensible. Interestingly, PTS has recently demonstrated that they can carry out successful renovations of houses in their care at 11 Alexander Street and at 48 and 52 Mercer Street without removal of any historic exterior fabric. They should now be encouraged and required to do the same with their Alexander Street houses at numbers 15-17, 19, 25-27, 29, and 31. The Princeton HPC has the guidelines and the authority to make that happen.
CHRISTOPHER OLSEN Alexander Street
To the Editor:
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Current renovation plans for six important houses owned by the Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS) propose the removal of the vast majority of their historic exterior materials (clapboard siding, windows, window trim, shutters), to be replaced with some materials in kind, some synthetic materials and replacement windows of entirely modern
I live on Alexander Street across from a group of houses owned by the Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). They have been the subject of several recent Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) hearings, as PTS is proposing long-delayed renovations to them. The houses were built in the 1830s in what is now the Mercer Hill Historic District (MHHD). A few of them are Steadman houses; Charles Steadman being considered the leading architect-builder of his era in Princeton. It is HPC’s mandate to protect and preserve Princeton’s architectural heritage. Their documented renovation guidelines are that the owner save as much original exterior material as possible. If unable to save, then the replacement material should be the same as the original. (For nearby 44 Mercer Street, HPC gave an administrative waiver to PTS for the renovation of that house, allowing the complete removal of historic original wood siding, windows and window trim.) In conversations with PTS, the MHHDA learned of the initial plans to remove all the exterior wood and original windows and replace them with synthetic material and aluminum-faced replacement windows. Based on this, the Association contacted HPC about the lack of compliance with HPC guidelines. (PTS has since modified its plans and will replace the siding with wood material.)
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What is proposed is contrary to HPC standards documented in their own ordinance. We have a house of the same period and were able to use the original windows after taking each one out for repairing and stripping the old paint, so it is possible to save them. Currently, the Seminary has offered to retain original wood materials on the front facades only. However, the complete original building facades (excluding the newer additions) can also be seen from the street and deserve the same treatment, including retention of the original windows.
Individuals and institutions own historic buildings for varying periods of time but should consider themselves only temporary stewards of these structures and strive to respect and preserve their important history. The Princeton HPC should fulfill its mandate and require the Seminary to meet its renovation standards.
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Istarted reading J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy : A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis (Harper 2016) on the rebound from a problem with PayPal, the co-creation of Vance’s venture-capitalist savior Peter Thiel. The 2018 paperback comes with 10 pages of blurbs, including one from Thiel noting that Vance “writes powerfully about the real people who are kept out of sight by academic abstractions.” Quoted on the same page, Bill Gates says the book’s “real magic” is “in the story itself and Vance’s bravery in telling it.”
Friends who read Elegy when Vance was running for the Senate trashed it, calling it “phony.” I read it straight through in one day, absorbed in the story and the characters until the “real people” Thiel refers to were displaced by language like the subtitle’s “Culture in Crisis.” Although I wasn’t looking for “gotcha” moments as I read, I noticed passages that people on the Far Right would hate, and Hillbilly Elegy may yet land on some banned lists in Texas and Florida, given the campaign to rescue red state libraries from “woke” or suspect material. I’m also pretty sure that Mamaw, Vance’s gun-toting grandmother, a Democrat who liked Bill Clinton and The Sopranos, would have told J.D. to stay the hell away from venture capitalists, the Republican Party, and Donald Trump. All of Vance’s retracted defamations of Trump (“Hitler,” “idiot,” “poison”) could have been shouted by Mamaw from beyond the grave, except she’d have loaded her spectral rifle with f-words.
His “Whole” Sister Hillbilly Elegy’s most sympathetic characters are female. While Vance called Mamaw his guardian angel, she also terrified him; the person he was viscerally closest to was his sister Lindsay, who was five years older, born just months after their tumultuous mother (referred to throughout as “Mom”) graduated from high school. He needed to think of Lindsay as his “ full sister,” his “whole sister,” his “ big sister” (Vance’s italics) and the moment Mamaw told him Lindsay was only his half-sister “remains one of the most devastating” of his life.
Lindsay’s impact is felt first in a scene guaranteed to shock drowsy readers awake. J.D. and Mom are driving to the
mall when he makes a remark that infuriates her. She speeds up to what seems like 100 mph and says she’s going to crash the car and kill them both. He jumps into the back seat. She pulls over, and he leaps out of the car and starts running, finding refuge in a stranger’s house. Mom breaks down the locked door and drags him out screaming. Two police cars arrive (the stranger having called 9-1-1), and the cops put Mom in handcuffs and deposit J.D. in the back of the second cruiser. Recalling “the scariest day” of his life (“I never felt so lonely”), Vance relives the moment “the car door swung open and Lindsay crawled into the cruiser with me and clutched me to her chest so tightly that I couldn’t breathe. We didn’t cry, we said nothing. I just sat there being squeezed to death and feeling like all was right with the world.”
The chapter that follows is mainly about J.D.’s love for Lindsay: “I was obsessed with her, both in the way that all children adore their older siblings and in a way that was unique to our circumstances. Her heroism on my behalf was the stuff of legend.... I always saw her as more adult than child.... When Mom worked late nights or otherwise didn’t make it home, Lindsay ensured that we had something for dinner. I annoyed her, like all little brothers annoy their sisters, but she never yelled at me, screamed at me or made me afraid of her.... I depended on her so completely that I didn’t see Lindsay for what she was: a young girl, not yet old enough to drive a car, learning to fend for herself and her little brother at the same time.”
The Measure of a Man
treat a woman.” In spite of once claiming that “men will disappear at the drop of a hat, they don’t care about their kids, they don’t provide, they just disappear,” Lindsay went on to have a stable marriage.
Usha
Aware that such fatalism goes back to the tumult of life with Mom, Vance worries that family history might repeat itself in his marriage to Usha, the Indian American law student he met at Yale. As an example, he mentions the time he stormed out after an argument and found that she’d followed him, calmly telling him “through her tears that it was never acceptable to run away, that she was worried, and that I had to learn how to talk to her.” Describing a road rage situation that he resisted taking further, Vance confesses “the sad fact” that he couldn’t have done it “without Usha. Even at my best, I’m a delayed explosion — I can be defused but only with skill and precision. It’s not just that I’ve learned to control myself but that Usha has learned how to manage me.”
In the context of candidate Vance’s widely reported misogynistic remarks about women without children, it’s worth noting that his grandfather Papaw once told him “the measure of a man is how he treats the women in his family,” a remark that echoes a reference to the fact that because of their mother’s revolving door relationships with husbands and lovers, J.D. and Lindsay “never learned how a man should
Depression Siblings Vance’s bond with Lindsay reminds of my mother’s close relationship with her younger brother, forever known to her as Brother. Like Lindsay, my mother looked out for him, held his head when he was sick after his first drinking bout, consoled him when some girl broke his heart, and shared with him the impact the Depression had on the family business (she had to quit college after her freshman year to help Brother keep them afloat); she told me about it one night when I asked why she was crying, still mourning him 20 years after his death a year before the end of the Second World War.
Reading Hillbilly Elegy also reminded me of my mother’s courthouse square life working for lawyers and judges in a southern Indiana county seat, where most of the cases were about domestic violence, feuds, and shootings involving “hill people” or “poor people” who lived outside the city limits. I don’t think she ever
called them “hillbillies.” For one thing, she was writing stories about them, one adolescent girl in particular. They had last names like Grubb, Deckard, Scroggins, and Whaley (no Vances), which were also the names of the kids I knew during my three years (grades 4-6) at a two-room country school. On long, twisty school bus rides through those hills, we picked up kids from tarpaper shacks, solitary mansions, and small farms. When I moved on to school in town, I found myself at the top of a class system with other white-collar business and faculty kids while some of my best friends were relegated to the lower order of “country kids” no one invited to parties. The one area in which I reunited, awkwardly, with my friends was playing baseball, football, and basketball, where they tended to be the best athletes while the best I could do was co-edit the sports page of the school paper.
“Just a second”
That subhead contains the three little words whose sole redeeming value was that they sent me “on the rebound” from a PayPal quagmire to a day between the covers of Hillbilly Elegy. Instant access is the be-all and end-all of PayPal that made a billionaire of Peter Thiel. Type in your password and you’re on your way. Except the other day instead of access to my account, I was met with a blank screen containing the words “Just a second.” A second, not a minute, so what’s on the other side of that insidious second? — nothing. That “second” could last until doomsday. In spite of the no-doubtabout-it wall behind that wretched nonmessage, I waited a full minute. Nothing. Undaunted, in disbelief, I tried again and again and it was always “Just a second.” A call to PayPal accomplished nothing better than a suggestion to empty my “cookie cache.” Days later, with no explanation, the situation was tentatively resolved. By then I’d found a semblance of productive refuge in J.D. Vance’s story, whose most compelling character is his grandmother with her cache of rifles and her instant access to handguns in case her grandson’s “venture-capitalist savior” ever showed up at her door. But Mamaw died in 2005, 17 years too late to save J.D. from a fate worse than fame.
—Stuart Mitchner
Emergency is a one-man show that imagines a slave ship appearing in front of the Statue of Liberty — in the present day.
Written by Daniel Beaty, the play uses this provocative concept to probe numerous issues, particularly ways in which our culture, especially the media, reacts to significant and devastating events. The monologue is an unsparingly candid, yet often wryly humorous, meditation — from multiple viewpoints — on America’s history of racial injustice, from slavery to police brutality.
Beaty is an award-winning actor, singer, motivational speaker, and playwright whose works include Through the Night ; Mr. Joy ; and The Tallest Tree in the Forest (a play that examines Paul Robeson). He is the founder of I DREAM, an initiative that uses storytelling to help individuals and communities heal trauma. The biography on Beaty’s website describes him as a “social entrepreneur who lives at the intersection of art, spirit, and social change.”
Under the title of Emergence-See! the play premiered at the Public Theater in 2006. Re-titled Emergency , it subsequently was presented at the Geffen Playhouse in 2008. Beaty performed in both productions.
Princeton Summer Theater is concluding its season with Emergency. Artistic Director Layla J. Williams directs, working with a skillful creative team to create a thoughtful, versatile production that fully employs the talent that actor Destine Harrison-Williams brings to it.
Emergency is an apt fit for this season. Like Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy and The Last Five Years , this piece blends or alternates between time settings, reflecting on past injustices that affect characters in the present.
Notably, for the second production in a row PST has chosen a show written for a small cast. The Last Five Years is a duet that focuses on the dynamics of a relationship between an estranged couple; whereas Emergency lets a solo performer realize all sides of multiple interactions. Harrison-Williams previously appeared as Jonathan Harker in PST’s production of Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy earlier this season. With the character of Rodney in Emergency, Harrison-Williams shares a passion for poetry; he has participated in WordSpeak Miami, a competitive poetry team. He shares in his program biography, “Through poetry slams and stage productions, I discovered the power
of storytelling as a means of connection and catharsis.”
As soon as Harrison-Williams enters, his talent and energy are fully on display. He shifts seamlessly from character to character, using a variety of accents and vocal inflections. He glides exuberantly around the stage, and recites poetry with an impeccable sense of timing.
Music typical of a newscast blares, and a reporter announces that a slave ship mysteriously has “risen out of the Hudson River in front of the Statue of Liberty.” Pointedly, we will discover that the ship is named Remembrance
The reporter interviews several bystanders for reactions to the ship’s appearance. Those interviewed include James, a homeless man; Ashes, who mistakes the ship for “the new Carnival Cruise;” a police officer; and a Black female scholar.
Later we meet Sharita Jenkins, host of a show titled America’s Next Top Poet ; Rodney, a contestant on that program; Wakeem, another poet; and Reginald, Rodney’s father. We also encounter Clarissa and Peter, two 12-year-olds.
Beyond ensuring that all of the production elements work in tandem to support the script’s themes and vividly enhance
the drama, Williams’ priority as a director appears to be varying the actor’s position on stage, to maintain steady pacing and visual interest.
A rising senior at Princeton University, director Williams is majoring in African American studies. As such, she feels that it is essential to include Emergency in PST’s season.
“Though set and written in 2008, the themes of Emergency remain pertinent,” the director observes in a program note. “Police brutality still takes lives. Rights we took for granted, such as being educated on African American history and Affirmative Action, have been revoked. And the complexities regarding intersectionality within the Black Community in America are rarely voiced.”
Yoshi Tanokura’s set enhances visual interest while economically keeping the audience’s attention focused on HarrisonWilliams. Steps lead to a platform that represents the stage for America’s Next Top Poet. In the back is a lighted panel whose rows of squares suggest a window; this will be crucial in illustrating one of the speeches. The panel leans, perhaps offering the illusion that we are on a ship
“EMERGENCY”: Performances are underway for Princeton Summer Theater’s production of “Emergency.” Written by Daniel Beaty and directed by PST Artistic Director Layla J. Williams, the one-man show runs through August 3 at Princeton University’s Hamilton Murray Theater. Above: Destine Harrison-Williams portrays a variety of characters, including a reporter and a poet, who react to the sudden appearance of a slave ship in front of modern-day Liberty Island.
“Emergency” will play at the Hamilton Murray Theater in Murray Dodge Hall, Princeton University, through August 3. For tickets, show times, and further information visit princetonsummertheater.org/emergency.
The significance of this is revealed when a Slave-ologist gives us a tour of Remembrance, describing in brutal detail the conditions on the ship: “By the time the Africans — the slaves —reached this point, they were so small and weak they could fit through this small rectangular window.” Via Reginald, we encounter the spirit of 400-year-old Chief Kofi, who identifies himself as “leader of the captured Africans who rode aboard this slave ship.”
Alex Slisher’s lighting aids in establishing transitions from one character to another. It also heightens dramatic tension, particularly in a scene in which a police offi cer stops one of the characters. The sound design by Alyssa Gil-Pujols adds immediacy to this moment, as well as giving newscasts and other media segments flashy music that artfully undercuts the gravity of the situations.
Because Harrison-Williams is onstage during the entire show, and extended pauses would detract from the flow of the piece, costume changes are impractical. Costume Designer Bex Jones solves the problem by outfitting Harrison-Williams in a costume that subtly underlines themes of the monologue while remaining adaptable to multiple characters.
In an essay posted in the theater Jones explains that certain words recur in the script, and in conversations with the director. Key words or phrases include “cycles,” “generational trauma,” “repetition,” “freedom,” and “intersectionality.” Jones explains, “Those themes led me to the two designs seen on the actor’s jacket: a pair of angel wings on the back and the flower of life on the front.”
In a central scene Rodney’s father tells him, “Beyond all the pain past and present, we are still here. Beyond slavery, civil rights, all the stories I was afraid to tell you, we have within us a spirit so powerful, it enables us not only to endure, but to overcome. Rodney, go tell the story.”
Seeing one performer portray multiple characters, from a variety of time periods, underlines the extent to which we are constantly shaped by those around us, in our past and present. Their stories inform ours.
What makes Emergency successful as a piece of theater is that we need to see an actor portray all of these characters — deliver their lines with a variety of mannerisms and accents — to fully appreciate this theme. It is rewarding to watch Harrison-Williams bring Beaty’s moving, multilayered script to life.
—Donald H. Sanborn
III
Center for Modern Aging Princeton
On Thursday, September 12 at 6 p.m., the Center for Modern Aging Princeton (CMAP), formerly known as the Princeton Senior Resource Center, will host its fall gala Fundraiser at the Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning, located at 101 Poor Farm Road (between Bunn Drive and Mt. Lucas Road). This year’s gala, “50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee,” will kick off the celebration of the nonprofit organization’s 50th anniversary of serving older adults in the greater Princeton region.
The board of trustees and staff of CMAP are delighted to celebrate their 2024 Leadership Award Honorees — Individual Honoree: Past Board Chairs, represented by Joan Girgus and past Executive Directors Jocelyn Helm, Jan Marmor, and Susan Hoskins; Corporate Honoree: Bloomberg Philanthropies; and Community Impact Honoree: Princeton Area Community Foundation.
The evening includes cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and a celebration of CMAP’s 50th anniversary, with award presentations and video remarks from CMAP’s founder, Jocelyn Helm. The dinner, program, and entertainment will take place outside under a tent.
visit cmaprinceton.org; email Lisa Adler, chief development officer, at ladler@ cmaprinceton.org; or call (609) 751-9699, ext. 103. Proceeds from this event benefit ongoing programs and support and guidance services at the Center for Modern Aging Princeton. CMAP is a community nonprofit where aging adults and their families find support, guidance, education, and social programs to help them navigate life transitions and continue to be active, healthy, and engaged in the community. Founded in September 1974 as “Tenant Services” at Spruce Circle, CMAP has grown to serve more than 6,500 older adults annually from throughout the greater Princeton region.
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For registration and event sponsorship information,
Greenwood House Behind every smile … is the care within. Greenwood House is an entire network of senior living, care, and services designed to create a true sense of community where patients, residents, and staff all care about and engage with one another. Greenwood House is not merely a building or a home for seniors. It’s a commitment to total health and well-being, whatever the need may be. It’s a promise built on a tradition of quality care and decades of service and experience. When we opened our doors in 1939, we made a promise to care for seniors and
as their needs and desires have changed, so have we. From our roots as a Jewish nursing home to the highly respected nonsectarian senior health care continuum we are today, the seniors we serve can take comfort in knowing we will continue to meet their needs, for both today and tomorrow. At Greenwood House, we care about your health! Our goal is to deliver exceptional lifestyles and services that address the physical, cognitive, and social well-beings, helping each and every one of our residents and patients reach their wellness potential. Our comprehensive range of services include: Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation, Assisted Living, Homecare Services, and Hospice Care. For more information, visit greenwoodhouse.org.
The Lawrence Healthcare Campus in Lawrence Township has named Jenelle “Jay” Onyenemezu, RN, BSN, MBA, MPA-PPM, LNHA, as executive vice president. An experienced healthcare executive, registered nurse, and director of nursing, Onyenemezu possesses a vast range of expertise, including clinical care, operations and change management.
In her new role at Lawrence, Onyenemezu oversees operations and leadership at the campus’s two distinct skilled nursing centers —
The Meadows at Lawrence and Lawrence Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center — as well as Lawrence Rehabilitation Hospital and assisted living community The Terraces at Lawrence. Her appointment coincides with a modernization and programming enhancements at the 40-acre, skilled nursing and senior living community located at 1 Bishops Drive.
“This is the perfect role for me,” said Onyenemezu. “As EVP of the Lawrence campus, I have the opportunity to live it, breath it and feel it on a daily basis, making an impact on a large scale on both the operations and clinical sides. I look forward to working with the dedicated teams at each of the four entities at Lawrence during its next chapter.”
Previously, Onyenemezu served as administrator at Collingswood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Rockville, Md., and as Maryland regional director of operations for Marquis Health Consulting
Services. At Collingswood, which Marquis supports, she played an integral leadership role during its recent multimillion-dollar modernization and programming enhancement. Prior to that, Onyenemezu held clinical and operational leadership positions at skilled nursing centers in Maryland.
“Jay brings a proven track record in clinical care, operations, and management to this senior leadership position as EVP at the Lawrence healthcare campus,” said Michael Smith, division president at Marquis, which also supports the Lawrence campus. “Her appointment is a clear reflection of how
Marquis and our clients recognize and promote talent from within. Our congrats to Jay.”
A licensed nursing home administrator, Onyenemezu earned bachelor’s degrees in nursing and business administration and a Master of Public Administration degree from Bowie State University. She also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University’s School of Business.
The Lawrence Healthcare Campus has a rich legacy, having been in operation for decades. More information can be found at lawrence rehab.com.
741 Alexander Rd, Princeton • 924-2880
• Individual Honoree: Past Board Chairs, represented by Joan Girgus and past Executive Directors, Jocelyn Helm, Jan Marmor, and Susan Hoskins • Corporate Honoree: Bloomberg Philanthropies • Community Impact Honoree: Princeton Area Community Foundation
“I
At Greenwood House Hospice, our families and caregivers LOVE HOW MUCH WE CARE! AND YOU WILL, TOO.
am proud and honored to serve as Greenwood House Hospice Medical Director and to work alongside some of the best nurses, social workers, chaplains and volunteers in the business. Our team provides intimate and comprehensive care for our terminally ill patients. We support not just those in their final months but also their families and loved ones.”
– DAVID R. BARILE, MD Medical Director, Greenwood House Hospice
Hospice is about living the fullest life possible according to a patient’s capabilities within a life-limiting condition. In hospice, your choices guide the care we provide. Hospice care affirms quality of life. Our goal is to prevent and relieve pain, discomfort, anxiety and fear.
We provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones. Hospice care is provided wherever a patient feels most comfortable or where they call home. We help families and caregivers prepare for endof-life challenges and find creative ways to share in life review and legacy projects so that our patient’s wisdom and memories can be treasured for future generations.
Our Hospice Team consists of:
• Hospice Medical Director, a board-certified hospice physician
• Registered Nurses (RNs) monitoring pain, managing symptoms and guiding patient’s plan of care
• Hospice Certified Home Health Aides (CHHAs) providing personal patient care and companionship
• Social Workers supporting patients and families and connecting them with community resources
• Spiritual Counselors providing emotional support and personal counseling
• Bereavement Services offering guidance and education concerning anticipatory grief to families throughout care and bereavement
• Hospice Volunteers assisting with a variety of patient and family personalized support activities
Greenwood House Hospice is a nonprofit, mission-based organization rooted in cherished Jewish traditions and an industry leader in providing high-quality senior health care in the state of New Jersey. Seniors of all faiths are welcome.
Or
and others from the days
singers as they develop as musicians and people ready to change the world when they graduate from PBC,” added Weakland.
Tyler Weakland
WMA’s Executive Director Lorraine Goodman said, “The Boychoir is in excellent hands with the leadership of Mr. Weakland and Mr. Suhr. Their expertise and vision will enhance the overall experience for our choristers and provide them with even more opportunities for musical and personal growth.”
Daunno as Rex Manning, Taylor Iman Jones as Max, Michael Luwoye as Joe, Tyler Donovan McCall as Lucas, Liam Pearce as AJ, Sam Poon as Warren, Analise Scarpaci as Debra, Eric Wiegand as Mark, and Samantha Williams as Gina. The Ensemble also includes Hoke Faser, Alex Lugo, Leah Read and Maximilian Sangerman with Swings Andrew Cekala and Jarynn Whitney.
The show is described in a release from McCarter as “overflowing with optimism,’90s counterculture, rooftop dancing, and the spirit of punk rock.” It tells the story of a band of idealistic misfits fighting to save their beloved record store from a corporate takeover. With tactics ranging from desperate to dangerous, the team comes together during a visit by over the hill pop star Rex Manning to discover the true value of friendship, love, and music — all in one unforgettable day.
Curly in the 2019 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! and for having originated the role of Orpheus in the off-Broadway production of Hadestown. Most recently, Daunno appeared in McCarter Theatre’s musical The Lonely Few
“Our House” Showcases Music of a Prolific Era
State Theatre New Jersey presents “Our House: The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY)” on Friday, August 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $29-$59.
The concert features family members of the famed musicians, performing the CSNY repertoire. Featured are James Raymond (son of David Crosby), Chris Stills (son of Stephen Stills), Steve Postell (guitarist and musical director with David Crosby and The Immediate Family), Jeff Pevar (lead guitarist with David Crosby, Graham Nash, CSN, Phil Lesh), Steve DiStanislao (drums with David Crosby, David Gilmour), Michelle Wills (keyboardist with David Crosby), and Elijah Thomson (bass with Father John Misty).
“Our House” is not merely a concert, but a testament to the enduring impact of the
CSNY sound. Audiences will hear such classic hits such as “Wooden Ships,”
“Helpless,” and “Carry On.”
The State Theatre is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Visit STNJ.org for tickets.
New Leaders Announced By Westrick Music Academy
Westrick Music Academy (WMA) has announced the appointment of Tyler Weakland and François Suhr as the new co-music directors of the Princeton Boychoir (PBC), effective immediately. This leadership model aims to enhance the educational experience and growth opportunities for all members of the B oychoir. The transition follows the recent departure of Adam Good, who has served as the music director of PBC.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at WMA working with the talented singers in the Treble Choir and the Young Men’s Ensemble,” he said. “Their dedication and
passion have been inspiring, and I will cherish the memories we made this year.”
Suhr and Weakland bring nearly 15 years of combined service to the organization. Suhr will conduct the newly structured Treble Choir, while Weakland will lead the Young Men’s Ensemble.
Lynnel Joy Jenkins, artistic director of all Westrick Music Academy’s programs added, “Having served our organization for many years, Mr. Weakland and Mr. Suhr bring not only a wealth of experience but also a deep commitment to our mission. Their continued guidance in providing youth musicians with unparalleled opportunities for growth and artistic excellence will lead Princeton Boychoir to new heights. I look forward to their profound impact on our community and beyond.”
Visit westrickmusic.org for more information.
McCarter Announces Cast For “Empire Records”
McCarter Theatre Center has announced the cast for the world premiere of Empire Records: The Musical based on the 1990s cult-classic film. The show runs in McCarter’s Berlind Theatre from September 6-October 6.
Courtney, who plays Corey, is celebrated for originating the role of Juliet in the Broadway hit & Juliet, a performance that earned her a Tony Award nomination for Lead Actress in a Musical. Her additional Broadway credits include Dear Evan Hansen and the 2020 revival of West Side Story
Daunno, who plays the role of Rex Manning, is a Tony and Grammy-nominated actor, singer, musician and composer — best known for his portrayal of
Luwoye, starring as Joe, portrayed Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton, as well as the national tour. Off-Broadway, he starred as Jacob in Invisible Thread , earning a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical.
“We are beyond thrilled to have this amazing team and incredible cast here in Princeton,” said McCarter’s Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen “Their talent and chemistry are going to bring the timeless story of Empire Records: The Musical to brilliant new life.” The film Empire Records was written by Carol Heikkinen and released in 1995 by New Regency Productions and has since become a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its unselfconscious optimism and principled narrative.
Tickets start at $25 and are now on sale at McCarter. org or can be purchased by calling the Patron Services Office at (609) 258-2787. Groups of 10 or more save 20 percent, and zone restrictions apply. McCarter is at 91 University Place.
This adaptation, featuring an original rock score by Princeton native Zoe Sarnak and a book by the film’s screenwriter Carol Heikkinen, is produced by special arrangement with Bill Weiner.
“Having trained as a young singer and soloist in the American Boychoir, I am proud to serve in this new role as co-music director of the Princeton Boychoir,” said Suhr. “I look forward to supporting this opportunity for boys to sing and grow musically together and am passionate to kindle the spirit and camaraderie of boychoirs in the greater Princeton area.”
“As a firm believer in music as a social and humanitarian tool, I will use my passion for outstanding music-making to lead
The musical reunites Sarnak with director Trip Cullman (Broadway: Choir Boy, Lobby Hero ) and choreographer Ellenore Scott (Broadway: Funny Girl ) after their work on Sarnak’s The Lonely Few at McCarter earlier this year.
The cast includes: Lorna Courtney as Corey, Damon
“Surroundings” Exhibit
Coming to Artists’ Gallery Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville will present “Surroundings,” featuring works by Bill Jersey and Claudia Fouse Fountaine, August 8 through September 1. An opening reception is on Saturday, August 10 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Their last exhibit together highlighted travels around the world and views of different countries; colorful as well as exotic. “Surroundings” brings the focus closer to home, to what we see around us every day. According to the artists, it turns out that can be as inspirational as anything else if we take the time to look carefully.
At the age of 97, Jersey still explores life with what he calls a fresh eye. “If you think you’ve seen this before,” he said, “you’re not paying attention. The painting On A Country Road invites an encounter with a new world. The leafless tree suggests a life well lived. We are surrounded by rich memories. I choose to preserve them with paint and brush.”
Fountaine said she is intrigued by the quirky and the mundane; a snowman in an icy backyard, with skeleton tree branches for arms. The shelves in a garage, overflowing with all manner of strange things. A dog relaxing on the patio in his bright blue collar. These are some of the “surroundings” Fountaine has chosen to depict.
Artists’ Gallery is located at 18 Bridge Street in Lambertville. It is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit lambertvillearts.com.
New Hope Colony Foundation
Presents “Timeless Art” Exhibit “Timeless Art,” an exhibition of painting and sculpture by three accomplished artists, will be on view August 3 through September 8, 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, at the New Hope Colony Foundation for the Arts in New Hope, Pa. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, August 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. The exhibition focuses on three artists, two of whom are over
Nieves-Callwood, on view August
is president of the Delaware Valley Music Club.
80 years of age, who have continued to paint, sculpt, and create in their chosen medium.
Sculptor Ashby Saunders, from Upper Makefield, Pa., models clay and bronze into exuberant sculptures, often depicting movement. He has been fascinated by clay modeling since childhood. He began sculpting as an adult and studied for two years with sculptor George Anthonisen. Saunders continued to sculpt, while losing his peripheral vision, until he was 85. His work can be seen in public parks in Bucks County.
Born in New York City, Aurelia Nieves-Callwood fell in love with the beauty of Bucks County’s landscapes after relocating in 1990. She is a self-taught painter and her work is described as realistic impressionism with a strong sense of color. Nieves-Callwood has exhibited in many juried shows in Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pa, and in New Jersey. Her paintings hang in private collections throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. She
Jacalyn Beam was born in Chester County, Pa. Her paintings, especially her plein air landscapes, are widely recognized and collected for their historical and visual appeal. She exhibits throughout the U.S. and her work has been published by multiple magazines and books including Fine Art Connoisseur and American Art Collector. She serves on the Delaware Arts Council and served for eight years on the Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association.
The New Hope Colony Foundation for the Arts is a U.S. registered 501(c) 3
nonprofit. The foundation’s mission is to acquire and restore the historic structures of the former New Hope Art Colony and to revive the colony’s traditions as an active and influential center for the arts.
The New Hope Colony Foundation for the Arts is located at 2594 River Road in New Hope, Pa. For more information, visit newhopecolony.org.
TOWN TOPICS is printed entirely on recycled paper.
the Delaware
Delaware River Art Exhibit
At Johnson Education Center
D&R Greenway Land Trust, in partnership with CJ Mugavero of The Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown, is hosting the “Along the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek” exhibit through September 27 at the Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The displayed art will be sold to interested buyers, a portion of which will support D&R Greenway Land Trust to preserve land in the Delaware River region.
According to D&R Greenway, art has a long history of portraying life and the beauty along the Delaware River. From Lenape woodcarvings to the New Hope Art Colony, the Delaware River Valley has been home to creative work for thousands of years. Works like The Delaware River at Prallsville by Jeff Gola and The Run by Shawn Campbell show the level of inspiration the Delaware can instill.
This multimedia exhibit features a display by
and Crosswicks
regional artists depicting the magnificence of the Delaware River and its tributary, Crosswicks Creek. Artists on display use a wide variety of mediums, including egg tempera which is used by Jeff Gola. The technique involves mixing egg yolks and pigment to create a fastdrying and long-lasting paint medium. Other works use an aesthetic mix of pastel, acrylic, oil, cold wax, ceramic, watercolor, bronze/stone, stainless steel, clay, and wood stain/panel.
“We are lucky to have such a diverse group of artists on display in the exhibit,” said Mugavero, owner and gallerist of The Artful Deposit Gallery. “These artists are fantastic at what they do and it’s enriching to see these works up close.”
One of the more unique pieces for sale is the sculpture Made in Roebling by Gary Bykowsky. The artist resides in Roebling, where the John A. Roebling & Sons Company built steel wire for bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge. The work includes wrenches, chains, and screws all heat forged and formed together to form a 26x26x26 steel sphere which depicts the “remnants of
the American Industrial Age.”
Paintings by local artists are also on display at the Discovery Center at Point Breeze in Bordentown, where there will be an exhibit on fi rst edition Audubon prints later this year.
“Art can stimulate action by inspiring people to care,” said Linda Mead, president and CEO of D&R Greenway Land Trust. “Works about our environment, like the ones in our current exhibit, are perfect to share D&R Greenway Land Trust’s core value to protect land and the water that is the lifeblood of our communities.”
Art Supply Thrift Shop Pop-Up Sale August 3
West Windsor Arts, in partnership with Propagate Studio, will hold an Art Supply Thrift Shop Pop-Up Sale on Saturday, August 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This unique event offers artists the opportunity to find quality art supplies at a fraction of the cost.
With an admission fee of $5, attendees can explore a vast selection of art materials and “pay what they wish” for their chosen items. It’s a twist on the traditional thrift store experience, designed specifically with artists and makers in mind.
“I love shopping at these kinds of markets,” said Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for artists to experiment with new mediums and materials without spending a fortune, and it keeps these supplies out of landfills. Upcycling these materials is both economical and environmentally friendly.”
Propagate Studio, located in Stewartsville, has made great strides in diverting art supplies from landfills since its founding in 2022, with over 375 pounds of materials saved.
Art submission is open to all Mercer County residents age 60 or older. Participants may submit one work of art, which must have been completed within the last three years. Artwork must be the original work of the applicant and must not have been entered into a previous county show. The categories for submissions in the 2024 Mercer County Senior Art Show are acrylic, craft, digital art, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper (drawing).
Registration through the Office on Aging is open and will end August 5 at 11:59 p.m. Artwork should be delivered to The Conference Center at Mercer County Community College on August 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Our long-running Senior Art Show really showcases the breadth and depth of artistic talent among our Mercer County seniors” said Benson. “I absolutely encourage interested seniors to submit their work, and I encourage all our residents, regardless of age, to stop by the show during its run.”
Birritteri, through August 18. For more information, email davidscottfineart@ gmail.com.
Ficus Bon Vivant, 235 Nassau Street, has “Capture the Rhythm” through January 12. Ficusbv.com.
Green Building Center, 67 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has an art show by the MUGA Group through December 31. Greenbuildingcenter.com.
Gourgaud Gallery, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, has an exhibit by the Creative Collective Art Group through August 29. Cranburyartscouncil.org.
Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, has “Philotechnic Transformation” through August 25, “Slow Motion” through September 1, and “That’s Worth Celebrating: The Life and Work of the Johnson Family” through the end of 2024, among other exhibits. Groundsforsculpture.org.
This pop-up thrift shop will feature an array of art supplies such as yarn, colored pencils, paints, brushes, scissors, beads, photography equipment, sketchbooks, and more. All items have been inspected and cleaned, ensuring they are ready for their next creative owner.
First-place winners automatically advance to the state’s New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show in the fall. One professional and one non-professional first-place winner are accepted into the state show in each category.
Historical Society of Princeton, Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, has “Princeton Reflected: Stories from HSP’s Collection” and “Einstein Salon and Innovator’s Gallery.” Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. Princetonhistory.org
Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution” through December 31, 2026. Mercermuseum.org.
Register at westwindsorarts.org to attend or donate art supplies.
West Windsor Arts is located at 952 Alexander Road in Princeton Junction. For more information, call (609) 716.1931 or visit westwindsorarts.org.
To learn more about Propagate Studio, visit propagatestudionj.com.
Call for Art: 2024 Mercer County Senior Art Show
To learn more about the Mercer County Senior Art Show, visit mercercounty. org. For more information, including guidelines or a registration form, email Karina Turek from the Office on Aging at kturek@ mercercounty.org or call (609) 989-6661.
Art@Bainbridge, 158 Nassau Street, has “Denison Baniwa: Under the Skin of History” through September 1. Artmuseum.princeton.edu.
Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “George R. Anthonisen: Meditations on the Human Condition” through October 13 and “Monuments and Myths: The American Sculptors Augustus SaintGaudens and Daniel Chester French” through January 5. Michenerartmuseum.org
Visit the Johnson Education Center to take a visual journey along the Delaware River through the works of featured artists Al Barker, Eleinne Basa, Michael Budden, Gary Bykowsky, Shawn Campbell, Sean Carney, Jim Carvalho, Hanneke DeNeve, Ilene Dube, Alan Fetterman, Christopher Forrest, Julie Friedman, Jeff Gola, Kate Graves, Joseph Gyrucsak, William B. Hogan, Susan Hogan, TingTing Hsu, Joy Kreves, Maria Marino, Ken McIndoe, David Orban, Jo-Anne Osnoe, Pat Proniewski, Janet Purcell, Pat Todd, A.R. Tucker, Annelies Van Dommelen, AJ Wainright, and Mary Yess.
Exhibit admission is free, however donations to help support D&R Greenway Land Trust and future programing are appreciated. Those interested in purchasing works on display can email info@drgreenway.org or make arrangements at the gallery. Visit drgreenway.org for more information.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson is inviting Mercer County’s seniors to submit their work to the 2024 Mercer County Senior Art Show. The Senior Art Show is jointly organized by the Mercer County Office on Aging and the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, and will run from August 19 to September 9 at the Mercer County Community College Conference Center.
Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Captured Moments” through August 4. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com.
Art on Hulfish, 11 Hulfish Street, has “Don’t we touch each other just to prove we are still here?: Photography and Touch” through August 4. Artmuseum.princeton.edu.
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Travels with Thomas George” August 1-4 and “WitherspoonJackson Gateway Exhibition” through September 1. Artscouncilofprinceton. org.
D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, has “Along the Delaware River & Crosswicks Creek” in the Johnson Education Center through September 27. Drgreenway.org.
David Scott Gallery, in the offices of Berkshire Hathaway, 253 Nassau Street, has “Harmonies,” a solo exhibition of paintings by Aida
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, has “Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home,” through March 2. Morven.org.
New Hope Arts, 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope, Pa., has “Structures and Constructions in Fiber” through August 18. Newhopearts. org.
Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has photography by Qasim Zia through August 6. Paintings by Sylvia Hemenetz are at the 254 Nassau Street location through August 6. Smallworldcoffee.com.
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, has travel photography by Jeffrey Edward Tryon, Town Topics art director, along with work by Kevin Frankenfield Photography and Joseph F. Hendrickson in the Red Barn through August 31. Terhuneorchards.com.
Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, has “Ellarslie Open 41” through September 29. Ellarslie.org.
West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “Throwback Summer” through September 7. Westwindsorarts.org.
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers, 71 George Street, New Brunswick, has “Michelle V. Agins: Storyteller” through December 8. Zimmerli.rutgers.edu.
Wednesday, July 31
7:30-10 a.m.: The Trenton Economic Development Series of Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber presents Mercer County Executive Dan Benson in a talk, “Trenton: The Heart of Mercer County,” at Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Executive Park, Route 29, Trenton. Princetonmercer.org.
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 Hiltons Princeton, 221 Witherspoon Street.
2 p.m.: The movie Thelma and Louise is screened at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Free. Princetonlibrary.org.
6 p.m.: Princeton Student Film Festival, with original films by filmmakers ages 14-25 and a post-screening Q&A session, at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.
Thursday, August 1
9-11 a.m.: Friends of Princeton Open Space holds a land stewardship volunteer event at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Preserve, 30 Mountain Avenue, to help with critical trail work, riparian and forest restoration, and invasive species removal. Fopos.org.
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.
6 p.m.: Random Acts of Soul performs at the Summer Concert Series on the Green at Princeton Shopping Center, North Harrison Street. Free. Princetonshoppingcenter.com.
6-8 p.m.: Dueling Piano Nights on the Green at Palmer Square. Palmersquare.com.
6 p.m.: Annual Picnic on the Lawn at Little Hall Courtyard, Princeton University. Sponsored by Princeton University Art Museum and the Princeton YMCA. Bring a blanket; stay for family movie night screening of Disney’s Encanto. Museum.princeton.edu.
Friday, August 2
5-7 p.m.: WitherspoonJackson Community Day, Joint Effort WitherspoonJackson Community Princeton Safe Streets kickoff reception and salute to ancestors, at Studio Hillier, 190 Witherspoon Street. For more information, contact John Bailey at
johnbailey062@gmail.com.
5-8 p.m.: Sunset Sips & Sounds at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Winery and Barn Door Café are open. Music by Foglight. Terhuneorchards.com.
6:30 p.m.: Queen Flash performance as part of the Mercer County 2024 Summer Concert series, at Mercer County Festival grounds, Mercer County Park, West Windsor. $5. Mercercounty.org.
Saturday, August 3
9 a.m.-1 p.m.: West Windsor Farmers Market at Vaughn lot, Princeton Junction train station. Fresh produce and much more. Wwcfm.org.
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: 24th
Annual Butterfly Festival at The Watershed Institute, 31Titus Mill Road, Pennington. $10 per person or $25 per carload. Register at thewatershed.org.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Art supply thrift shop at West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road. $5. Westwindsorarts. org.
10 a.m.: Mid-Day Toastmasters meets at Hickory Corner Branch Library, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor or by Zoom at tinyurl.com/zoomwithmidday.4139. Toastmastersclubs.org.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Just Peachy Festival at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Kids’ activities, traveling zoo, bubble parties, food tent, wine tasting, and more. $15 in advance, $18 day of event (ages 3 and up). Terhuneorchards.com.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Annual Peach Festival at Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, Pa. Live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, food and drinks. PeddlersVillage.com.
12-2 p.m.: Summer Music Series on the Green at Palmer Square, music by Kim & Dave Duo. Palmersquare.com.
1-7 p.m.: Ruth Parker Day, Fish Fry and Community Meet and Greet. Part of the Joint Effort
Witherspoon-Jackson Community Princeton Safe Streets week of events, at the Elks Lodge, 124 Birch Avenue. For more information, contact John Bailey at johnbailey062@gmail.com.
2 p.m.: So Percussion Summer Institute concert at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Original compositions developed during the Summer Institute on the “SoSI Day of Sonic Exploration.” Princetonlibary.org.
Sunday, August 4
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Just Peachy Festival at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Kids’ activities, traveling zoo, bubble parties, food tent, wine tasting, and more. $15 in advance, $18 day of event (ages 3 and up). Terhuneorchards.com.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Annual Peach Festival at Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, Pa. Live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, food and drinks. PeddlersVillage.com.
1 p.m.: Carillon concert by Andrea McCrady at the Princeton University Graduate Tower; listen from the lawn outside. Free, held rain or shine. Gradschool. princeton.edu.
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. 5-7 p.m.: Donald Johnson Day, Gospel festival. Part of the Joint Effort Witherspoon-Jackson Community Safe Streets week of events. At First Baptist Church of Princeton, 30 Green Street. For more information, contact John Bailey at johnbailey062@gmail.com
Monday, August 5
6:30 p.m.: Continuing Conversations on Race, “Telling Our Stories.” At Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, also livestreamed. Learn about the work of the Joint Mission Committee of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, and see the film about that congregation and Nassau Presbyterian Church. Princetonlibrary.org.
7-8:30 p.m.: The Coalition for Peace Action holds the 45th annual commemoration of the anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, at Hinds Plaza. Jeff Laurenti will give a historical retrospective. Shiho Burke, whose family experienced Hiroshima, is keynote speaker. The Solidarity Singers of the New Jersey State Industrial Union Council will sing. A bring-your-own picnic precedes the event at 6 p.m. If it rains, the location moves to Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street. Visit peacecoalition. org for information.
Tuesday, August 6
9:30 and 11 a.m.: Read & Pick Program: Flowers. Hands-on program for parents and kids pre-school to age 8, followed by stories. $12 includes a container of flowers. Pre-registration required. Terhuneorchards.com.
6-7:30 p.m.: Frank Wells Day, Part of the Joint Effort Witherspoon-Jackson Community Safe Streets week of events. Discussion on the future of Princeton at the Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street. For more information, contact John Bailey at johnbailey062@gmail.com
Wednesday, August 7
10-10:30 a.m.: Storytime on the Green at Palmer Square. Palmersquare.com. 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 EFES Mediterranean Grill, 235 Nassau Street.
5-8 p.m.: Doris Burrell Day, part of the Joint Effort Witherspoon-Jackson Community Safe Streets week of events. Jim Floyd Memorial discussion on Paul Robeson, Chip Fisher Memorial Art Exhibit, and First Bank scholarship presentation. At the Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street. For more information, contact John Bailey at johnbailey062@gmail.com
7 p.m.: Virtual talk: Oppenheimer and Princeton, free program co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Princeton and Princeton Public Library. To get the Zoom link, visit princetonlibrary.libnet/info/ event/11284784.
Thursday, August 8
9-11 a.m.: Friends of Princeton Open Space holds a land stewardship volunteer event at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Preserve, 30 Mountain Avenue, to help with critical trail work, riparian and forest restoration, and invasive species removal. Fopos.org.
10:30 a.m.: Silent Reading Read-Treat, at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. A 15-minute meet-and-greet to share the books, plays, films, etc. that participants have recently enjoyed is followed by an
hourlong silent reading period. Princetonlibrary.org. 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.
6-8 p.m.: Dueling Piano Nights on the Green at Palmer Square. Palmersquare.com.
6 p.m.: All Access Book Discussion Group, at Princeton University Library, 1 Washington Road. Reading and Discovery with University Library Special Collections. Discuss a book and examine items from the collection tied to themes from the book. Visit Princetonlibrary.org for information.
Friday, August 9
5-8 p.m.: Sunset Sips & Sounds at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Winery and Barn Door Café are open. Music by Joah Blume. Terhuneorchards. com.
6:30 p.m.: Funk Salsa Urban performance as part of the Mercer County 2024 Summer Concert series, at Mercer County Festival grounds, Mercer County Park, West Windsor. $5. Mercercounty.org.
7 p.m.: Dancing Under the Stars, at Hinds Plaza. Members of Central Jersey Dance demonstrate basic steps and lead others in an evening of dancing to recorded music of all kinds. Princetonlibrary.org.
Competing in her first national fencing competition as a 9-yearold, Maia Chamberlain was a bit spooked by the cacophony of hollering she encountered at the San Jose Convention Center.
“Fencing is like a whole other ballgame, you don’t realize how much people scream in fencing; it is a very loud sport,” said Chamberlain. “I walked in and the whole venue was just like people screaming their heads off for the touch. The first thought I had walking in there was, ‘I am in a murder house?’ It feels like people are killing each other, that is what it sounds like.”
Undeterred, Chamberlain killed it in the competition, taking third in the U-10 saber in a harbinger of things to come. Over the years, Chamberlain moved up the national ladder, excelling in national competitions and placing second in U20 women’s saber at the 2016 Junior World Cup.
Chamberlain, a native of Menlo Park, Calif., came east to Princeton University in 2016 and took third in the saber in the NCAA Championships as a freshman and won the national title the next year. Taking a twoyear hiatus from college in an ultimately futile attempt to make the U.S. squad for the Tokyo Olympics, Chamberlain returned to Princeton where she took third in the NCAA saber as a senior and was a finalist for the C. Otto von Kienbusch Award, which is given to Princeton’s top senior woman athlete.
Building on that senior season, Chamberlain renewed her drive to make the Olympics and succeeded this time, earning a spot on the U.S. women’s saber team for the Paris 2024 Olympics. She will be making her Olympic debut on August 1 when the team event is held at the fencing strip at the Grand Palais.
It didn’t take long for Chamberlain to establish
herself as a fencing prodigy as she stood out when she was introduced to the sport at a saber camp when she was nine.
“It really clicked for me, I was already fighting people with my sabers and wooden sticks before that,” said Chamberlain, who had been focusing on tennis at the time. “It came pretty naturally to me I would say. After that one week, my coach said to my parents she is the only girl who lasted this entire week and she is doing really well among the boys too so she should really stick with it.”
She decided to stick with saber instead of trying her hand at either foil or é p é e, the two other weapons in the sport.
“The saber one looks cool in that the guard connects to the bottom like what you would see in pirates’ swords whereas in foil and épée, the guard just looks like kind of a circle,” said Chamberlain. “In foil and é p é e there is a button at the end of the tip and that is how you guarantee that you poke someone. You trip that buzzer with a certain amount of force. Whereas with saber, the whole metal blade is conductive. I can hit you anywhere where my metal blade touches your metal jacket as long as that closes the loop. You get the point with any amount of force, you can tap people very lightly or not.”
Enjoying success on the national scene, Chamberlain set her sights on competing at the college level.
“Once I started competing domestically more regularly, step by step I realized that I reached a level where I can get recruited to college ,” said Chamberlain. “I started hunkering down sophomore and junior year. I went from going to practice twice a week to going four times a week and that was enough to qualify for the Cadet national team. The national team goes to World Championships and that is like a
nice honor. It looks great on your resume or transcript.”
While Chamberlain was initially leaning toward attending nearby Stanford where her club trained, she decided it was too close to home and headed to Princeton.
“I thought Princeton had the best balance between academics and athletics,” said Chamberlain. “I like the protocol where there are no classes during practice. I would not miss any class requirements to be part of a sports team. When I was considering all of that, Princeton turned out to be the best.”
It didn’t take long for Chamberlain to bond with her Tiger teammates. “The transition to Princeton for the fencing was not bad at all,” said Chamberlain. “The thing with fencing is that it is such a small niche sport, so I kind of knew the people going in. Everyone knows each other, the community is small. It was easy to get along, they had the same experiences I went through.”
That closeness resulted in a special camaraderie in competition. “I love college fencing,” said Chamberlain. “Collegiate fencing is so team-oriented, it is an individual sport normally. If I win, it might be at the expense of someone else not winning whereas in college, everyone wins. I found that so lovely. You really support your teammates and I found that really powerful myself.”
Feeding on that support, Chamberlain took third in the NCAA saber event as a freshman.
“I was pretty strong at collegiate style competitions, they were different from the domestic or international events,” said Chamberlain. “Most collegiate events are to five points instead of 15 so throughout the entire season, I had a very high win percentage. If I stayed consistent with that, I knew I could get into the top four for the NCAAs. It was a
great confidence boost.”
A year later, Chamberlain took two steps up the podium, winning the NCAA saber title.
“I felt like I knew what to expect a little more, having that I was able to make it happen,” said Chamberlain. “It is so lovely when I list most of my athletic accomplishments, being NCAA champion is the most recognizable, especially in the states. It is a huge honor to be one of the few who are able to carry that trophy home. I am really glad to say that I am at least a onetime NCAA champion. I am so grateful.”
Looking to build on that success, Chamberlain decided to take a two-year hiatus from Princeton to concentrate on making the U.S. squad for the Tokyo Olympics.
“I was on a hot streak after my sophomore year, I won NCAA, and I won a national competition directly after that,” said Chamberlain.
“My parents and I talked and it was OK, we are in a good set-up to try to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. The issue was that I didn’t have too much international fencing experience. I had been to some World Cup events but I hadn’t done a full circuit. A full circuit is pretty taxing because you have two competitions a month and you are going to different countries. It would be super disruptive if I was still in school.”
But that hot streak ended as Chamberlain suffered an ankle injury that derailed her first World Cup campaign. Bouncing back from that, Chamberlain was starting to get back in the groove but then the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown halted her progress.
“ It was super formative for me, I really learned a lot in those two years,” said Chamberlain. “It took me a while to bounce back from that injury just because that was the first time I have
ever gotten my confidence shaken. The first season ended up being a humbling moment.”
Returning to Princeton to finish her college career, Chamberlain enjoyed a superb senior campaign, making another big NCAA run.
“I was ready to go back, I wanted to graduate somewhat soon,” said Chamberlain, an architecture major. “I was ready to be done and at least know people who were going to graduate. I made the most out of it, I had a fantastic time. I came in the top three for the NCAA, I am proud of that result.”
Buoyed by that result, Chamberlain decided to make a second attempt at earning a spot in the Olympics. She moved to New York City to focus on training at the Manhattan Fencing Center. She also got back on the World Cup circuit to compete in domestic and international qualifier s. In order to make the U.S. squad, a fencer has to rank in the top four in points in the country in his or her weapon.
“I executed the plan that I originally intended, “ said Chamberlain. “I was able to qualify for World Championships for the Olympic season. I got my experience in and got my Olympic seeding consistent and strong. I am really happy that all of the work paid off.”
In May, Chamberlain learned that her spot on the U.S. women’s saber team was confirmed.
“There are so many emotions,” said Chamberlain, reflecting on getting that news. “It comes with excitement and pride that I made it this far. It is also the anxiety that it will be the biggest crowds I have ever been in front of.”
Chamberlain is confident she can overcome that anxiety. “I like fencing because you are fully covered,” said Chamberlain. “They can’t see my face very clearly, and I can’t see theirs. I have
courtesy of Princeton Athletics) stage fright and I am a little camera shy.”
With the saber team’s roster including Magda Skarbonkiewicz, Elizabeth Tartakovsky , and rising Princeton sophomore Tatiana Nazlymov in addition to Chamberlain, she believes that utilizing the camaraderie that characterizes college fencing could make the difference for the squad.
“The key to getting gold is believing in each other,” said Chamberlain. “I really enjoyed my college experience where it was unconditional support. If we just bring that to the team then that kind of positive reinforcement will bring out the best in each other. In terms of technical things, it is just staying consistent, having a plan, and following that plan. Ultimately the event is kind of like a relay race. You just have to focus on your leg. Once you are finished with your leg, you pass on to your teammate and just hope that they are thinking of doing their best.”
No matter how things go in Paris, Chamberlain is looking to stay in fencing.
“I haven’t hit my peak yet, I would say fencers normally peak in their mid-to late 20s,” said Chamberlain, 26. “I feel like I finally understood what I had to do and that I am just getting better and better throughout. I just talked to my coach about this and he actually said the same thing - I feel like you are only getting better. I want to see how far I can take it in this sport. We will see. I would like to put my architecture degree to use. I just love design in general. I would love to do that but you have your whole life to work. I might lay off fencing for the next two years and then get back into it.”
—Bill Alden
Get the scoop from
As the Paris 2024 Olympics got underway last weekend, Princeton University rowing alums put themselves in medal contention with a number of superb performances.
Last Sunday, Nick Mead ’17 helped the U.S four win its opening heat and advance to the A final on August 1 as it earned a shot at a medal. Rowing from the bow seat, Mead helped the boat post a winning time of 6:04.95 over the 2,000-meter course at the Vaires-surMarne Nautical Stadium.
Anther Tiger alum, Timothy Masters ’15, rowed for the Australian four that took second in the same heat as it also put itself in position to compete for a spot on the podium.
Hannah Scott ’21 and Great Britain set the tone early in the women’s quad sculls, winning its heat with the top time overall to advance to the A final on July 31. Scott, rowing in the second seat, and her teammates led throughout the race, crossing the finish line first in a time of 6:13.35 which was just under two seconds ahead of Germany.
A second Olympic experience opened in superb fashion for Tom George ’18 as he stroked Great Britain to a win in the heats of the men’s pair to move on to the A/B semifinals on July 31. George, a 2021 Olympic bronze medalist in the eight, and his teammate Oliver Wynne-Griffith posted a winning time of 6:33.88. South Africa was second — almost three seconds behind the British crew — and Germany was five seconds behind in third to secure the other two transfer spots to the A/B semis.
Former Princeton open crew stars Kelsey Reelick ’14 and Emily Kallfelz ’19 took the hard route to the A final in the U.S. women’s four. The boat, which is guided by
Tiger open head coach Lori Dauphiny, placed fourth in its opening heat last Sunday, sending it to the repechage round on Tuesday. Coming from behind, the U.S. edged China to take first place in the heat and qualify for the A final on August 1 and earn a shot at the podium. The U.S. clocked a winning time of 6:32.48 with China coming in at 6:33.60.
In the women’s eight, Claire Collins ’19 helped U.S. women’s eight finish second in its opening heat last Monday, posting a time of 6:19.00 in a race that saw Romania take first in 6:12.31. The U.S. will compete in a repechage on August 1.
Over at the Aquatics Centre, Ashleigh Johnson’17 and Jovana Sekulic ’26 starred as the U.S. women’s water polo team got off to a strong start in its quest for a fourth straight gold medal. In its opening contest of Group B action, the U.S. defeated Greece 15-6 last Saturday as Sekulic tallied two goals in her Olympic debut and stalwart goalie Johnson, playing in her third Olympics, made 11 saves. On Monday, in a rematch of the gold medal final at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the U.S. fell 13-11 to Spain as Johnson made 13 saves and Sekulic scored a goal. The U.S. will look to get back in the winning track when it faces Italy on July 31 to continue Pool B play.
On the fencing strip at the Grand Palais, Princeton rising sophomore Hadley Husisian earned a win for the U.S. in her Olympic debut last Monday as she defeated Switzerland’s Pauline Brunner 12-11 in the women’s individual é p é e Round of 32. Husisian went on to fall 15-12 to Hong Kong’s Vivian Kong Man Wai, the eventual gold medalist, in the Round of 16.
Husisian competed as a freshman during the 202223 school year, finishing third at the 2023 NCAA championships, before taking 2023-24 off for Olympic prep. Husisian, together with fellow Tiger Katharine Homes ‘17, will be part of the four-member U.S. women’s é p é e team that was slated to compete on July 30.
Another Princeton rising sophomore, Tatiana Nazlymov, nearly matched Husisian’s feat but came up just short in her Olympic debut, falling 15-14 to Sebin Choi of South Korea in the women’s saber Round of 32.
Competing in his third Olympics for Egypt, former Princeton standout Mohamed Hamza got off to a good start as he edged Jan Jurkiewicz of Poland 1514 in the men’s foil Round of 32 last Monday. Hamza went to defeat Carlos Llavador of Spain 15-12 in the Round of 16. Hamza’s run ended when the fell 15-9 to Felippo Macchi of Italy in the Round of 8.
Over at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium , Beth Yeager ’26 and the U.S. women’s field hockey got off to a rough start as they fell 4-1 to Argentina in the first game of Pool B play last Saturday. On Monday Yeager helped the Americans rebound from that setback as they earned a 1-1 draw against Spain.
The U. S. plays against Australia on July 31 before finishing the Pool play with games against Great Britain and South Africa. The top four teams in each of the two groups will advance to the quarterfinals, and the Americans are currently fourth, ahead of Great Britain and South Africa, who are both 0-2-0. Argentina and Australia are both 2-00 for six points, while Spain has a win and tie for four points.
—Bill Alden
in its opening heat at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The U.S. will go for a gold medal as it competes in the A final on August 1 at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium (Photo by Row2k, provided courtesy of USRowing)
PU Women’s Golfer Liu Competes in LPGA Event
Princeton University women’s golf rising senior star Victoria Liu competed in CPKC Women’s Open last weekend at the Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alberta.
Liu, who advanced through a qualifier on July 22 to make the field in the LPGA event, ended up carding 17-over 161 to miss the cut in the tournament.
Last year, Liu earned a sponsor’s exemption to the CPKC Women’s Open which was held at her home course, the Shaughnessy Golf And Country Club in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“Victoria continues to showcase how elite her game can be as she competes around the world against not only the best amateurs but also professionals,” said Princeton women’s golf head coach Erika DeSanty
“It is amazing to see her develop as a player and represent Princeton on the LPGA stage. It has been a busy summer for her, and each tournament she competes in is another step forward for her as she realizes her dream.”
A two-time Ivy League Player of the Year after earning the honor in 2023 and 2024, Liu has played in three NCAA Regionals as a player — twice qualifying as an individual and once as part of Princeton’s team
qualification on 2022. That 2022 season saw her win the first of two medalist honors at the Ivy Championships, the other coming this past season, and resulted in Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors.
Tiger Men’s Volleyball Earns Academic Award
The Princeton University men’s volleyball team has been awarded the 2024 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for its commitment to both on the court and educational excellence.
The honor is given to collegiate and high school volleyball programs that have maintained a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
PU Women’s Lacrosse Gains Academic Recognition
After a spring season that saw the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team shine on the field by advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament, the program recently gained recognition for its excellence in the classroom
The Tiger squad was honored collectively by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) as it
was named a 2024 Academic Honor Squad which is a distinction earned by teams who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher during the most recent academic year.
In addition, eight Tigers were named to the 2024 Academic Honor Roll for their individual work in the classroom this year. To be named to the Academic Honor Roll, a student-athlete must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. The Princeton players so honored included Kari Buonanno , Caroline Burnett , Sammy Filippi, Olivia Koch, Nina Montes , Ellie Mueller, Grace Tauckus , and Paige Vegna
PU Women’s Volleyball Gets Academic Honor
The Princeton University women’s volleyball team has earned the 2024 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for its commitment to both on the court and educational excellence.
The award is given to collegiate and high school volleyball programs that have maintained a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
After being slowed by injury in her debut campaign for the Amherst College women’s lacrosse team in 2023, Kate Becker got up to speed this spring.
Former Princeton High standout Becker tallied 18 goals and a team-high 17 assists in her sophomore season to help the Mammoths go 8-8.
Becker utilized her versatility to helped trigger the Amherst attack.
“My role definitely evolved,” said Becker. “We had a lot of injuries this year again on offense so I was playing in a lot of different places. I was behind the goal mostly. The personnel on the field was changing so I was trying to manage that and adapting with our play calls and our clock management. That was the thing I was working on and trying to facilitate.”
Although injuries to both legs limited Becker as a freshman, she did make strides tactically in making the transition to the college game.
“There are rules that become engrained in you on how to go about certain plays and certain scenarios which we didn’t have in high school,” said Becker, who tallied one goal with five assists in 10 games as a freshman. “It is having those rules be fundamental so you can move on to the plays, the sets, and the strategy.”
Last summer, Becker focused on getting up to full strength. “I was still
rehabbing; my coaches were super understanding,” said Becker. “The plan was that I would do physical therapy for most of the summer and then I would really start running again and getting back into shape.”
Back in shape for fall training, Becker got in synch with her teammates.
“The NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference) is doing a pilot program where you get 10 practices with coaches in the fall,” said Becker.
“This was the first year of that and I was cleared for that which was great, just getting back in shape. We had another great freshman class so playing with them was a great experience in the fall.”
This spring, Becker got off to a great start, tallying four goals and one assist in a 2011 win over Rogers Williams in the second game of the season and then getting five goals and two assists in an 18-9 win over Westfield State in the seventh game.
“Roger Willams was a fun game, I am pretty sure everybody got to play in that so that was good,” said Becker. “I was trying to work on consistency this season. There were definitely games where it was easier to read how the defense was playing.”
Amherst played some of is best games during a hot stretch in early April when it posted four straight wins, topping archival Willams 17-8, edging Connecticut
College 12-9, defeating Bates 16-13, and then nipping Babson 15-14.
“That was definitely great, you can play a zone or a man defense and we had supposedly been better at one over the other so in that stretch of games we knew we were going to see both,” said Becker. “All of those teams were really talented. The Williams game was incredible, we put it all together from every part of the field. We were able to beat Conn in the middle of the weekend then we carried momentum into Bates and Babson. That was back-to-back. We went to Bates and won that game. We played Babson the next day, they were a very good team.”
In reflecting on her progress this spring, Becker attributed it to getting a better feel of the game and her teammates.
“I think starting to read the defenses better,” said Becker. “I am always working on the balance between a passer and a scorer. In high school, you could pick what you wanted to do but in college, there are definitely times when I should go to goal more and I don’t. But then also I want to balance because I play behind the goal. I am in a passing role which I really enjoy, being able to set up my teammates for success.”
This summer, Becker is looking to get in some training before heading to Europe for a semester abroad.
“I am doing the workout packet and getting out with the local lacrosse people,” said Becker. “I am going abroad in the fall so I will miss fall ball. The time for me to really focus in will be January.”
With Amherst’s top seven scorers slated to return next season, Becker believes that she will be coming back to something special in January.
“We had a girl in my freshman class who was incredible and was out this season; there was another freshmen who got hurt early in the season who was a starter,” said Becker. “Our team is definitely going to be jelling and capitalizing. We are going to have a lot of talent on the field.”
—Bill Alden
Will Kraemer culminated his junior season for the Hun School baseball team this May by helping the squad win the Mercer County Tournament title at the Trenton Thunder Stadium and Prep A state championship on its home diamond.
In July, Kraemer found himself competing for another title some 4,000 miles away from the Princeton area as he played for Great Britain in the U18 Baseball European Championship in Regensburg, Germany.
For Kraemer, the chance to prove himself on an international stage had him fired up.
“It was something that I was excited for,” said Kraemer whose mother was born in London, enabling him to get a British passport. “I don’t know when the next time I am going to be able to play on foreign soil is and just to play for a country, it is something bigger than me.”
Infielder Kraemer came up big, batting .429 with nine hits in 21 at-bats, four doubles, seven runs, and four RBIs as Great Britain finished fourth in the competition.
“It was the best the U18 team has ever placed in a tournament for the European championship,” said Kraemer. “It was good to put GB baseball on the map.”
For Kraemer, getting a spot with the Great Britain team resulted from the program’s research of eligible players in the U.S.
“They can take up to five internationals who have citizenship in Great Britain,” explained Kraemer. “They kind of scouted through PBR (Prep Baseball Report) tournaments and through summer tournaments guys who have citizenship. They ended up finding me and reached out to me.”
Kraemer headed to England for a training camp and intra-squad scrimmages in Farnham from July 1-3 and then the squad moved on the Munich to fine-tune things and scrimmage some other teams before starting play in the tournament on July 8.
“I think the biggest thing just collectively as a team was knowing each other’s personalities because you are grabbing kids from all over the world,” said Kraemer. “It took a day or two to get everyone together. It was really cool because we had a couple of coaches that were from America, a high school coach from California and the NJIT pitching coach (Anthony Deleo).”
In addition, Kraemer’s father, Derrick, also joined the staff. “He ended up volunteering,” said Kraemer of his dad. “It was really cool being in the dugout with him, having him coach me for the last time.”
Great Britain got off to a really good start in the tourney, topping the Czech Republic 4-2 in its opener as Kraemer contributed two key hits.
“The game against the Czech Republic on day one was probably the biggest game in that tournament for that specific day,” said Kraemer. “I would say we had two to three thousand people
there under the lights. We ended up winning 4-2, it was a really good game that set the leeway for the rest of the tournament.”
Coming through in the clutch in the opener proved to be a confident boost for Kraemer.
“I had a two-out double that put us up 1-0 and another 2-out single that put us up 3-1,” said Kraemer. “That helped a lot, especially being an international because I wanted to prove that I could help the team. It was good making an impact on game one. It relaxed me, once I got that first hit, I felt like I took off for the rest of the tournament.”
After topping Sweden 100, falling 9-1 to the Netherlands, and then beating France 11-5, Great Britain faced Italy in the semis inn a game that turned out to be a topsy-turvy contest. With Kraemer hitting a double and scoring the tying run in the seventh inning, Great Britain knotted the game at 5-5 to force extra innings but ended up falling 6-5 in the eighth.
“That was probably the biggest night of my life,” said Kraemer, reflecting on the Italy game. “It felt like there was so many people, there were probably three to four thousand I would say. It was something that I will truly never forget.”
In Kraemer’s view, the level of play at the tournament was comparable to the quality of opponents on Hun’s schedule.
“I would say team like Sweden and Belgium would be kind of like a Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) team like a Hill School and then when we played the Czechs,
the Netherlands and Italy, they would be like the top teams in New Jersey like Delbarton or Gloucester Catholic,” said Kraemer. “International kids over there can sign when they are 16 so like the kid I hit a double off on Italy has signed with the Phillies. The Netherlands had a couple of Blue Jay guys and a couple of Giants so they had some real good athletes. It was a big tournament for a lot of the international guys because most of them don’t take the college route, they try to get signed right away. There were probably 15-20 MLB scouts there for each game.”
It turned out to be a big tournament for Kraemer, a Boston College commit, as he looks forward to his senior year at Hun.
“I grew tremendously over that week, picking brains from a couple of coaches on our team,” said Kraemer, who went 1-for-4 with a run as Great Britain fell 5-3 to the Netherlands in the bronze medal game to end the tournament. “I think that playing in those big games is going to help me so much for college. I played really well. I am happy that I got to play in big games because I know when I am older, it is going to be something that I will be playing in a lot. It was cool.”
Kraemer is aiming to see more action with the Great Britain program.
One of the squad’s coaches, Kraemer’s father, Derrick, was impressed by how he played.
William started at shortstop the entire tournament and was leadoff or batted in the two-hole,” said coach Kraemer. “In pool play he led us in several offensive categories and finished the
After excelling in his first international competition,
“I am hoping to play for the U23 team, there is a chance I might go to China for the Worlds in August and September,” said Kraemer, noting that event is a world championship
tourney. “I would have a smaller role with that team, there are a lot of independent league guys and college guys on that team. I might go over there. I hope when I am older I can be one of those dudes on the U23 team.”
— Bill Alden
Cruising to an undefeated record as it goes for a title repeat, Princeton Supply found itself in a battle with Lob City last Monday in the opener of the best-of-three championship series in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.
With its offense sputtering, top-seeded Princeton Supply trailed third-seeded Lob City early in the second half at the Community Park courts.
“We weren’t really hitting threes and when we drove, we just drove into traffic,” said Princeton Supply head
coach Phil Vigliano, reflecting on the back-and-forth contest.
I
But showing its championship pedigree, Princeton Supply came up big down the stretch as it pulled out a 41-39 win, improving to 11-0 with Lob City dropping to 7-4.
“It was the experience, big plays, the moxie, realizing we could lose this game,” said Vigliano, noting that Quayson Williams, Michael Kane, and Troy Jones each hit big three-pointers down the stretch. “With the sense of urgency in the championship series, the team that
SOARING TO VICTORY: Peter Sorber of Princeton Supply (blue shirt) soars to the hoop Monday night in the opener of the best-of-three championship series in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Sorber contributed seven points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots to help top-seeded Princeton Supply edge third-seeded Lob City 41-39. Princeton Supply, now 11-0, will go for its second straight league title as it faces Lob City (7-4) in game two on July 31 with the third game, if necessary, slated for August 2. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
big run for us.”
Vigliano credited Julian McGowan with helping to trigger Princeton Supply.
“I would give him the game ball,” said Vigliano of McGowan, who contributed seven points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the win. “He made numerous plays in both halves and then he finished the game. Normally, he is not a starter.”
In addition to McGowan’s all-around performance, Princeton Supply got 10 points from Williams with Kane adding nine points and Peter Sorber chipping in seven points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots. Bruce Brittingham scored 14 points to lead Lob City with Myles Mitchell-White adding 11.
With the foes meeting in game two on July 31, Vigliano believes his squad will be primed to produce a big game as it goes for a second straight championship.
“It was 41-39 for a team that scores a lot of points, I think that tells you what kind of game it was,” said Vigliano, whose team swept LoyalTees 2-0 in the 2023 championship series to earn its first league title. “We don’t usually have a game like that and if we do, I feel sorry for the other team in the next game.”
— Bill Alden
The Princeton Recreation Department will be offering two American Red Cross Blended Learning Lifeguard Training Courses at Community Park Pool this summer. Participants will need to complete online coursework from the Red Cross and then complete the in-person portion at CP Pool. The in-person portions will run from July 31- August 2 and from August 7-9 with both sessions running from 8 a.m to 3:30 p.m. Participants must be 15 years of age or older, be able to swim 300 yards continuously, retrieve a diving brick from a depth of 10 feet, and tread water for two minutes using legs only.
The cost of the program is $340/person. Participants must be present for the entirety of all three days.
There are no refunds for individuals that do not complete the coursework or that fail the course or required 300-yard swim.
Individuals can register online at register.communitypass.net/princeton. The course is located under the Tab “ 2024 Lifeguard Certification Programs.” For more info, visit princetonrecreation.com or call (609) 921-9480.
Joint Effort Safe Streets Holding Hoops Clinic, Games
The Joint Effort Princeton Safe Streets Summer Program is sponsoring a youth basketball clinic on August 10 from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Community Park basketball c ourts.
The clinic is being directed by former Princeton Day School girls’ hoops head coach and Philadelphia 76ers camp director and c linician Kamau Bailey, who leads the Bailey Basketball Academy (BBA). Attendees at the clinic will get individual skill development opportunities in
ball handling, shooting, offense and defense, mental preparation , team play, and a souvenir sports bag.
In addition, on August 11, the Joint Effort Safe Streets will sponsor the Pete Young Sr. Memorial Games for Princeton-area youth. These annual games are held each year in the memory of Pete Young Sr., a Princeton businessman, community advocate, sports enthusiast, and supporter of youth and community programs who was beloved in the Witherspoon-Jackson Community. The games run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will start with youth games and conclude with a final boys’ high school contest.
The rain sites for both programs will be the Princeton Middle School.
For more information on the Joint Effort Safe Streets hoops clinic or games, call (720) 629-0964 or (917) 626-5785 or forward an e mail to johnbailey062@ gmail.com or kamau. bailey@gmail.com.
You just don’t have time for dusting, mopping, vacuuming, sanitizing, etc., but finding the right person to clean your house can be an ongoing challenge. Some people do a good job, but they don’t always show up on time or even on the day they are expected.
Others are very reliable, but the quality of their work may be lacking. It is always something!
What to do? Check with friends, surf the net, even look through print newspaper ads, stick with what you have?
Fresh Living Professional Cleaners understands this dilemma. Owners Teresa and Igor Filipovic have been there!
“We couldn’t keep up with the demands of modern living without some help,” they explain. “We wanted to spend more time at the river skipping stones with our three children. We wanted to go shopping for local produce at the farmers market. We wanted to go to that Vinyasa yoga class.
“It was hours of scouring the internet for reputable numbers. We experienced tons of no-shows. Communication and expectation issues abounded. We felt tied down by having to oversee work we were paying for. Finally, the level of cleaning service received never met our standards.”
They decided to take action, and establish their own cleaning service. Thus, in January 2024, Fresh Living Professional Cleaners opened, and became the Filipovics’ new adventure.
“Having our own business has allowed us to make our own decisions and have more time and flexibility
with our children,” points out Igor. “We are set apart by our online focus. Customers can find us online, fill out an application, set up appointments, and let us know their needs and preferences.
“The cleaners we partner with are all vetted, and have the highest reputations. There are quick and easy booking forms, excellent customer service, and trained teams of professionals. We take the stress out of finding services to help you improve your quality of life.”
As Teresa explains further, “We did a lot of research, and we intentionally chose a different business model to work with cleaners as independent service professionals. This typically results in better performance, less turnover, and increased customer satisfaction.
“We have created a standard that our customers expect. They count on our reliable service, and our regular customers typically have the same cleaners unless the cleaner is unwell or on vacation.”
In one of those cases, Igor, who focuses on overseeing the business, has been known to step into the breach. “In an emergency, I can fill in and help out. This is a hands-on situation for me.
“We normally have three different cleaning teams, each with a leader,” he continues. “How many come to the house depends on how big it is. It can be between one and four cleaners. Sometimes, if someone needs a cleaning to be done especially quickly, we can send even more people. We do our best to accommodate our customers’ needs.”
This includes their time preference — morning or afternoon, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleanings, he adds. Different types of cleaning services are available, including regular, deep cleaning, and movein, move-out. The cleaners
bring their own supplies unless the customers have specific preferences to use their own products.
Cleaning covers the full range of services for all rooms — from making beds to cleaning, polishing, and vacuuming; to hand washing baseboards and relining kitchen trash cans to refrigerator interior cleaning.
Additional services, such as oven interior cleaning, sweeping the garage, and hand-washing woodwork, can be included if requested.
Prompt Response
“Also, sometimes, people have special situations and need extra help,” points out Igor. “Maybe the in-laws are arriving unexpectedly, and that might just mean a onetime cleaning. Or they need something done very quickly. They can count on us to accommodate them with a prompt response.”
Originally from Croatia, Igor has spent most of his life in New Jersey, having attended school in West Windsor. A passion for tennis led to an early career as a tennis coach, but then over time, circumstances brought about the opportunity to open Fresh Cleaning.
The work is primarily residential, with some commercial as well, and as he reports, “We do all sizes, kinds, and ages of houses. Many have home offices today, and also gyms and exercise rooms.
“Some customers are very neat, while others’ homes can be more cluttered. And some people are very particular, and others more laid back. But people are all different, and can be happy in different kinds of settings. We understand. It’s your space, and you are entitled to dictate your terms. We see a lot of different lifestyles, and get an insight into that. We really have an opportunity to establish relationships with our customers.”
Loyal Customers
Customers are primarily from Princeton and the
enjoy
people
them to have more flexibility and spend quality time with their family. It is known that a clean house can reduce stress, and make your home more comfortable and provide a better setting for you.” Igor and Teresa Filipovic, owners of
Professional
enjoy spending time with their own
including daughters Sabrina, Valentina, and Penelope, shown here in Medvednica Nature Park in Zagreb, Croatia, Igor’s homeland.
surrounding area, “We are very encouraged,” he says. “We have many loyal, regular customers already, and new ones all the time. We are getting a lot of word-ofmouth and referrals.”
Typical cost for a full cleaning is $150, and there may be reductions if customers sign up for ongoing cleanings. In addition, a 50/50 program offers further savings. If a client refers someone to Fresh Living, that client will get a $50 credit toward their Fresh Living account, and the referral will receive $50 toward their first service.
“It is always exciting and
challenging to start something new — a new adventure,” points out Igor. “We know our work is important, and we always want to hear from our customers if there are ways we can do better. We want their feedback.
“We are active listeners, conducting ourselves with empathy and treating everyone with dignity. Respect is the way in which we build trust and loyalty. We set high standards, pay attention to details, and strive for continuous improvement. Our clients know they can count on our integrity and quality work.”
(609) 806-5565.
—Jean Stratton
Ingrid W. Reed
Ingrid Wagner Reed passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024 surrounded by her children.
Ingrid Reed loved all things New Jersey dedicating her life to the enrichment and improvement of the lives of New Jersey’s young and old. Her enthusiastic contributions as a feminist pioneer; civil rights advocate; public policy expert; supporter of the arts; environmental leader; local, state, and tri-state regional planning proponent; state and regional government task force leader; and board member and chair of countless New Jersey organizations leaves an enduring legacy. Foremost she was a proud mother and grandmother, supportive wife and
life partner, and loyal and supportive friend.
Ingrid was born in 1936 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to the late Fred and Ruth (Straumer) Wagner and was raised in Vineland, New Jersey. She graduated as valedictorian of her Vineland High School class and enrolled as a member of the Class of 1958 at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn’s first class of women, on a full scholarship graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Economics.
Following graduation, Ingrid moved to New York City where she met her husband, Marvin Reed. They married in Vineland and settled in Princeton beginning a more than 60-year partnership supporting each other’s careers, volunteer efforts, families, friends, and neighbors.
In 1961, the family bought a house in ‘Glen Acres’ in West Windsor, a new racially integrated neighborhood where they raised their two children David and Liza.
Shortly thereafter Ingrid joined the League of Women Voters and began her civic work. In 1972, she ran for West Windsor Township Committee on the platform of forming a master plan for the community. Her bid was unsuccessful but her focus on planning led to 18 years on the Mercer County Planning Board as the first woman appointee and where she served as chair for 11 years. She also joined the
Watershed Institute Board of Trustees, serving as chair 1975 to 1978.
In 1974, Ingrid began a new career at Princeton University’s Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and the family moved to Princeton Borough. She served as Director of the Rockefeller Public Service Awards program from 1975 to 1981 and Assistant Dean. In 1987, Governor Tom Kean established the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation with Ingrid as chair, a position she held until 2010. Ingrid’s commitment to improving the State was her motivation in helping to establish New Jersey Future in 1987 — an organization dedicated to advancing policies and practices to curb sprawl and promote redevelopment. She was a founding board member and served on the board for more than 30 years including time as chair and its first senior fellow. While at Princeton University, Ingrid received a W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Leadership Fellowship allowing her to study private sector real estate development in Kenya, East Asia, and Chicago.
In 1992, Ingrid became Vice-President for Public Affairs and Corporate Secretary at the Rockefeller University in New York City. During this time, she was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration and served on
the New Jersey Committee of the Regional Plan Association.
In 1996, she joined the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University to lead The New Jersey Project for the next 15 years. From 2000 to 2009, Ingrid served on the board of the Community Foundation of New Jersey when the foundation’s assets grew nine-fold. In 2009, Ingrid’s passion of providing voter information and government transparency led to becoming a founder and board chair of NJ Spotlight. Ingrid also joined the Community Advisory Board of NJ PBS serving as chair. Her involvement with both organizations helped facilitate the merger of NJ Spotlight with NJTV under WNET in 2019. In addition, Ingrid chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Local Government Ethics Administration (2009-2011). Ingrid served on the Board and Advisory Council on the Children’s Committee of Womanspace and actively supported the Princeton Adult School, Arts Council of Princeton, and New Jersey Conservation Foundation. Ingrid was a frequent program host at the Princeton Public Library including her annual election reviews with MSNBC’s Steve Kornacki. In addition, she was active with AARP New Jersey and honored with the MVP Award in 2020 for 10 years of service.
In 2015, Ingrid and Marvin
moved to Stonebridge at Montgomery Senior Living Community in Skillman. At Stonebridge, Ingrid created and hosted more than 90 episodes of the “Getting to Know You” video series.
Ingrid found great pleasure in traveling the globe, opera, classical music, art, ballet, theater, and frequent visits to New York City. Ingrid’s local involvement with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra embodied her passion for classical music and conviction that arts are an essential part of communities. Serving on the Board, Ingrid was instrumental in developing the PSO Bravo program which provides music education to New Jersey public school students, and as an advisor to the Princeton Festival.
Ingrid was predeceased by her husband Marvin Reed in 2020, former mayor of Princeton Borough, and her sister Barbara Suess. She leaves her son David and wife Nan Reed of San Francisco, CA; daughter Elizabeth (Liza) and husband Thomas O’Reilly of Hingham, MA; sisters Doris and husband Marty Schwartz of East Lansing, MI, and Susan Levin of
Port Hueneme, CA; and grandchildren Cecilia and husband Raymond C. Smith IV of Boston, MA; Jacquelyn O’Reilly of Cambridge, MA; Agnes O’Reilly of Hingham, MA; and Owen Reed of Boston, MA.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Please consider honoring Ingrid’s memory by donating to the Princeton Symphony Orchestra Bravo program to benefit the youth who are New Jersey’s future (princetonsymphony.org/support/ donate).
Sunday, June 2
Sunday, June 2
Worship Begins at 10am
David Buschman Chaplain, Athletes in Action
Sunday, June 9
Sunday, June 2
Sunday, June 9
Eli Henry Princeton Theological Seminary
David Buschman Chaplain, Athletes in Action
Sunday, July 21
Sunday, July 21
Tiffany S.
Tiffany S. Murphy Pastor, Parkside United Methodist
Sunday, July 28
Sunday, July 21
Sunday, July 28
Ali DeLeo
Pastor, Swarthmore United Methodist Church in Swarthmore, Sunday, June 16
Sunday, June 9
Jessica Campbell
Associate Pastor at First Methodist Church of Moorestown
Sunday, June 23
Sunday, June 16
Denise Carrell PHD Coordinator at
Jessica Campbell
Sunday, June 30
Sunday, June 30
Tiffany S. Murphy Pastor, Parkside United Methodist
Sunday, August 4
Sunday, August 4
Byron E. Brought
Sunday, July 28
Byron E. Brought Pastor, Bel Air United Methodist Church in Bel Air, MD
Sunday, August 11
Ali DeLeo Pastor, Swarthmore United Methodist Church in Swarthmore,
Sunday, August 11
Andrew Cooney
Sunday, August 4
Andrew Cooney Pastor, Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City, MD
Associate Pastor at First Methodist Church of Moorestown
Rachael
Sunday, June 23
Rachael McConnell Pastor, First Presbyterian Church in Duncanville, TX
Denise Carrell
Sunday, August 18 Melissa Rudolph
Sunday, August 18
Sunday, August 11
Melissa Rudolph Lead Pastor, North Carroll Cooperative Parish of the United Methodist Church
Cooney
Sunday, July 7
PHD Coordinator at
Sunday, July 7 Regina
Regina D. Langley
African Methodist Episcopal Church Itinerant Elder
Sunday, June 30 Rachael McConnell
Sunday, July 14
Sunday, July 14
Shannon Daley-Harris
Shannon Daley-Harris
Associate Dean of Auburn Theological Seminary
Associate Dean of Auburn Theological Seminary
Sunday, July 7
Regina D. Langley
African Methodist Episcopal Church Itinerant Elder
Sunday, August 25
Sunday, August 25 H. Fitzgerald Robertson, II Student, Princeton Theological
Sunday, August 18
Sunday, August 25
H. Fitzgerald Robertson, II Student, Princeton Theological
Alexander B. Vincent, Jr.
Alexander Billmeyer Vincent, Jr., 91, of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away on July 10, 2024. Alex was born and raised in Lewistown, PA. After high school, he attended Dickinson College and the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. Upon graduation from Cornell, he moved to Princeton for a position in Princeton University Dining Services. This began a longtime affiliation with the University and a career in the hospitality industry. It was at Princeton University where he met the love of his life, Jill. After marrying Jill in 1969, they remained in Princeton and raised their family in the Palmer House, Princeton University’s guesthouse, for the next 29 years.
Away from his career, Alex had many interests. He and Jill loved entertaining, the Palmer House serving as a beautiful backdrop to dinner parties and Sunday lunches that were enjoyed by family and friends. An avid baker, Alex was well known for his decadent chocolate cakes and lavish cookie trays at Christmas. He was a wellknown lover of Christmas and Santa Claus collector. He also enjoyed gardening, attending Princeton University football and basketball games and family history.
Alex is survived by his children, Virginia Vincent Sayer and her husband, Dorsey Sayer, and their children Tim and Emory of Wyndmoor, PA; Alexander B. Vincent, III and his wife Jessica Lockhart Vincent and their children Alexander IV and Catherine, of
Yardley, PA; and his sister, Alice Vincent Davis (late James) of Columbus, OH. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Alex was predeceased by his parents Alexander Billmeyer Vincent and Virginia Sullivan Vincent; his wife, Jill Blandford Vincent; and sister Lucritia Vincent Bossert (late Jack).
In lieu of fl owers, memorial contributions can be made to Nassau Presbyterian Church’s Compassion Fund.
A Memorial Service will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 1 p.m. Reception following at the Nassau Club.
Arrangements under the direction of the MatherHodge Funeral Home, Princeton.
Kathleen Cuffy
Kathleen Cuffy was born on October 7, 1954, in Trinidad and Tobago. She was a resident of Princeton, NJ, for over 30 years. Kathleen accepted her angel invitation and transitioned on July 20, 2024, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. Kathleen is survived by
her daughter, Kimberly Borris; siblings, Leila (Lansing), Corinne (Carl), Roslyn (late Steve), Delia, Hiliva, Erica, Arthur, and Raymond (Karen). She was a loving aunt to 17 nieces and nephews and a great-aunt to 18 great-nieces and great-nephews. She was greatly loved by her extended family, the Resnicks.
Kathleen was predeceased by her parents, Evelyn and Clement Cuffy, and her two younger brothers, Eric and David.
Kathleen was an amazing mother, sister, friend, and neighbor. With a strong love of her faith in Christ, Kathleen enjoyed reading her Bible and worshipping the Lord. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ.
Kathleen got her greatest joy by helping others. She was a caregiver to many and had a hand in raising each and every one of her nieces and nephews. She was full of life with a sharp and witty tongue. She loved to sing and dance and was easily appointed the best cook in her family.
Kathleen had a love for the beauty of nature all around her. Her phone is full of pictures of sunrises, sunsets, clouds, snowfall, rain, and foggy sceneries. She also had a love for flowers and plants.
Most of all, Kathleen loved spending quality time with her family, especially her godchildren Laila, Zoey, Zion, and great-niece Ava. Her role as a mother went beyond her daughter and her kind heart touched everyone she encountered.
Kathleen will be greatly missed but will continue to live in our hearts forever.
Corinne Glenda Riefman Barsky
5/5/1935–7/28/2024
Corinne Glenda Riefman Barsky was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. The things she taught her loved ones were priceless and will be remembered always. She cared for people without judging them, and she let nothing get in her way of achieving great things.
Corinne was born on May 5, 1935, to Ruth and Max Riefman. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father a skilled Glazier. Her father ran his business from home and his wife took the phone calls and made the appointments; together they were successful. She met her husband, Marvin Barsky, in 1954, when she was 19 years old. They were married a year later in Elizabeth, NJ, and they celebrated 68 years of marriage this year.
Corinne acquired a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University. During her studies there, she fought with administration and managed to become the first woman ever to take an astronomy class, which previously was not allowed. She knew when to not take no for an answer. She taught people how to know their worth.
Corinne knew how to appreciate the beauty that this earth has to offer. She had a bond with nature that those that she leaves behind have yet to see anyone replicate. She chose to be strong, optimistic, and dedicated her time to caring deeply for her family while accomplishing her aspirations. She
knew how to make anyone feel like the most important person in the room. She cared for others in this way, by truly understanding the challenges and achievements they brought to her, and she helped navigate and celebrate them, respectively. She was absolutely magnetic. People of all kinds were drawn to her, and she made them feel loved. She took wonderful care of her home and decorated it in an artistic and beautiful way, keeping each room filled with many flourishing plants that she understood the care for so well. She had a precise instinct for that which went on around her and never missed a thing, from a beautiful flower to a meaningful glance. She was generous, loving, and so very smart, and she articulated this in an empowering and inspiring way. She taught people to find their best self and to do whatever it takes to maintain that strength.
Some people leave behind a smattering of colorful memories that last a lifetime, but Corinne Barsky was an intricate kaleidoscope of love and beauty that we were all exceptionally lucky to have observed. She is a woman to always admire and her beautiful soul lives forever in all of us.
She is survived by her husband, Marvin Barsky; her two children, Barbara Brown and Susan Barsky; her four grandchildren; and her seven greatgrandchildren of whom she was so very proud of.
Temple in Bordentown Welcomes Associate Rabbi Temple B’nai Abraham in Bordentown has announced the appointment of Aviva Marchione as the new associate rabbi. The Reconstructionist Jewish community is dedicated to fostering spiritual growth, lifelong learning, and community engagement and offers a range of religious, educational, and social programs for all ages.
In her new role, Marchione will focus on enhancing the congregation’s educational offerings, leading worship services, and expanding community outreach programs. She is particularly enthusiastic about working with youth and young families, fostering a love for Jewish traditions and values among the next generation.
“I am honored and excited to join Temple B’nai Abraham,” said Marchione . “I look forward to partnering with Rabbi Julie, the synagogue board, and the entire congregation to create meaningful and impactful Jewish experiences.”
Marchione earned her rabbinical ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2024, where she was recognized for excellence and leadership. She previously served as a rabbinic intern at Temple B’nai Abraham from 2020 to 2022.
S unday S
8:00 am: Holy Communion Rite I
10:00 am: Holy Communion Rite II
5:00 pm: Choral Compline or Evensong
The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector The Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade, Assoc. Rector Wesley Rowell, Lay Pastoral Associate
33 Mercer St. Princeton 609-924-2277 www.trinityprinceton.org
Wherever you are in your journey of faith, come worship with us
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Princeton 16 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ
You are welcome to join us for our in-person services, Sunday Church Service and Sunday School at 10:30 am, Wednesday Testimony meetings at 7:30 pm. Audio streaming available, details at csprinceton.org. Visit the Christian Science Reading Room Monday through Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm 178 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ For free local delivery call (609) 924-0919 www.csprinceton.org • (609) 924-5801
904 Cherry Hill Rd • Princeton, NJ 08525 (609) 466-3058 Saturday Vespers 5pm • Sunday Divine Liturgy 930am • www.mogoca.org
YARD SALE +
TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIED = GREAT WEEKEND!
Put an ad in the TOWN TOPICS to let everyone know! Call (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifi eds@towntopics.com
DEADLINE: Tues before 12 noon tf HOME HEALTH AIDE: 25 years of experience. Available mornings to take care of your loved one, transport to appointments, run errands. I am well known in Princeton. Top care, excellent references. The best! Call (609) 356-2951 or (609) 751-1396. tf
LOLIO’S WINDOW WASHING & POWER WASHING: Free estimate. Next day service. Fully insured. Gutter cleaning available. References available upon request. 30 years experience. (609) 271-8860. tf JOE’S LANDSCAPING INC. OF PRINCETON Property Maintenance and Specialty Jobs Commercial/Residential Over 45 Years of Experience
• Fully Insured • Free Consultations
Email: joeslandscapingprinceton@ gmail.com
Text (only): (609) 356-9201 Office: (609) 216-7936 Princeton References
• Green Company
HIC #13VH07549500
HOME REPAIR SPECIALIST:
tf
Available part-time
With excellent references in the greater Princeton area (609) 216-5000 tf
FOX CLEANING (609) 547-9570
eqfoxcarpetcleaning@gmail.com
Licensed and insured Residential and commercial
Carpet cleaning and upholestry
Pressure and soft washing • Area rugs Strip and wax floors • Sanitizing Water damage • Grout cleaning 01-17-25
STORAGE UNIT FOR RENT
10 minutes north of Princeton, in Skillman/Montgomery. 16x22, $290 discounted monthly rent. Available now. https://princetonstorage.homestead. com/ or call/text (609) 333-6932 07-31
CARING AND EXPERIENCED BABYSITTER
Available for part-time position
Excellent local references! (609) 216-5000 tf
CARING ADULT AVAILABLE
Will help with transportation, household jobs, basement and attic cleaning. Light lawn and property care.
Extensive experience working with elderly. Honest and reliable and always punctual. Available for continuous assistance. Have references. Princeton resident for 40 years. John: (609) 756-7163. 07-31
Interior/exterior repairs, carpentry, trim, rotted wood, power washing, painting, deck work, sheet rock/ spackle, gutter & roofing repairs. Punch list is my specialty. 40 years experience. Licensed & insured. Call Creative Woodcraft (609) 586-2130 tf EXPERIENCED AND PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVER
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, the Franklin Fire District 4 does hereby notify the public that a Special Meeting of Franklin Fire District 4 will be held on 08-06-2024 at 6:45pm in the Kingston Fire House, 8 Heathcote Road, Kingston, NJ 08528 and Virtual meeting via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/ vqz-aexa-wmy. The purpose of the meeting is to address the Shared Service Agreement for Franklin Fire District Four that will include how to proceed with South Brunswick District 3, discussions with other districts and to determine tasks covered in the Shared Agreement that Franklin District 4 is now responsible for. Formal action may/will be taken.
Knotty pine bookcases a specialty!
SKILLMAN FURNITURE CO.
609-924-1881
Elevated gardens • Slat tables
Writing desks • Small furniture repair skillmanfurniture.com
skillmanfurnitureco@gmail.com tf
HOUSECLEANING/HOUSE-
KEEPING: Professional cleaning service. Experienced, references, honest & responsible. Reasonable price. Basic English. Text Grace at (609) 672-0211 for a free estimate. 10-30
ROCKY HILL ESTATE SALE
22 Crescent Ave.
Friday, August 2, 9:30-3:00 Saturday, August 3, 9:30-3:00
Full contents!! Globe collection, antiques, collectibles, art, carpets, a step back in time!!
Pictures on estatesales.net, MG Estate Sales 07-31
I BUY ALL KINDS of old or pretty things: China, glass, silver, pottery, costume jewelry, evening bags, fancy linens, paintings, small furniture, etc. Local woman buyer. (609) 9217469.
10-11-24
BUYING: Antiques, paintings, Oriental rugs, coins, clocks, furniture, old toys, military, books, cameras, silver, costume & fine jewelry. Guitars & musical instruments. I buy single items to entire estates. Free appraisals. (609) 306-0613.
06-28-24
TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIEDS GET TOP RESULTS!
Whether it’s selling furniture, finding a lost pet, or having a garage sale, TOWN TOPICS is the way to go!
We deliver to ALL of Princeton as well as surrounding areas. (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifieds@towntopics.com
ESTATE LIQUIDATION SERVICE:
I will clean out attics, basements, garages & houses. Single items to entire estates. No job too big or small. In business over 35 years, serving all of Mercer County. Call (609) 306-0613. 06-28-24
WE BUY CARS
Belle Mead Garage (908) 359-8131 Ask for Chris tf
LARGE (16’+), BEAUTIFUL EVERGREENS (Norway Spruce) locally grown in Princeton/Lawrenceville area and installed for your privacy barrier. Call Doug for pricing and sizes: (215) 852-5660 Americantreescapes.com 09-04
OPEN HOUSE - FSBO Saturday, August 3 from 12 to 4. Secluded home nestled in Princeton’s coveted Littlebrook neighborhood, 4 bedrooms / 2.5 bathrooms , 2457
sq. ft. on 0.86 acre lot, private yard backs up to Smoyer Park. The property will be sold in as-is condition. Listing price $1,395,000.00. Inquiries: 28caldwelldr@gmail.com 07-31
SPORTS CARDS WANTED IMMEDIATE CASH PAID!! Unopened boxes, sets, cases Private collector (646) 344-0431 tf
WHAT’S A GREAT GIFT FOR A FORMER PRINCETONIAN? A Gift Subscription! Call (609) 924-2200, ext 10 circulation@towntopics.com tf
YARD SALE + TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIED = GREAT WEEKEND! Put an ad in the TOWN TOPICS to let everyone know! Call (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifi eds@towntopics.com
DEADLINE: Tues before 12 noon tf
HOME HEALTH AIDE: 25 years of experience. Available mornings to take care of your loved one, transport to appointments, run errands. I am well known in Princeton. Top care, excellent references. The best! Call (609) 356-2951 or (609) 751-1396. tf
LOLIO’S WINDOW WASHING & POWER WASHING: Free estimate. Next day service. Fully insured. Gutter cleaning available. References available upon request. 30 years experience. (609) 271-8860. tf
JOE’S LANDSCAPING INC. OF PRINCETON
Property Maintenance and Specialty Jobs Commercial/Residential
Over 45 Years of Experience • Fully Insured • Free Consultations Email: joeslandscapingprinceton@ gmail.com
Text (only): (609) 356-9201 Office: (609) 216-7936 Princeton References • Green Company HIC #13VH07549500 tf HOME REPAIR SPECIALIST: Interior/exterior repairs, carpentry, trim, rotted wood, power washing, painting, deck work, sheet rock/ spackle, gutter & roofing repairs. Punch list is my specialty. 40 years experience. Licensed & insured. Call Creative Woodcraft (609) 586-2130 tf EXPERIENCED AND PROFESSIONAL
When buying a home, understanding potential mold issues is crucial. There are several mold testing options available to buyers during an inspection:
1. Air Sampling: This test captures air samples to measure the concentration of mold spores in the air. It helps identify hidden mold problems that might not be visible.
2. Surface Sampling: This involves taking samples from visible surfaces, like walls or floors, to check for mold growth. It's useful for identifying specific areas of contamination.
3. Bulk Sampling: This method involves collecting pieces of building materials (e.g., drywall) to test for mold. It provides insight into the extent of mold growth within materials.
4. Tape Lift Sampling: A piece of adhesive tape is applied to a surface to pick up mold spores. It’s effective for detecting mold on smaller areas. Each test has its strengths, and a combination often provides the most comprehensive view of potential mold issues in a property.
Introducing: Mare Haven Court
North Brunswick Township, NJ | $2,500,000
Kathryn Baxter: 561.521.7771 callawayhenderson.com/id/H2RBH8
Introducing: Berkley Avenue
Montgomery Township, NJ | $1,300,000
Michelle Blane: 908.963.9046 callawayhenderson.com/id/MBET87
Newly Priced: Birch Avenue Princeton, NJ | $865,000
David M Schure, Grant Wagner: 609.577.7029 callawayhenderson.com/id/QM9L52
Introducing: Castleton Road
Montgomery Township, NJ | $640,000
Yalain ‘Eileen’ Fan: 609.937.2632 callawayhenderson.com/id/F9WYDC
Introducing: Pretty Brook Road Princeton, NJ | $2,495,000 Jane Henderson Kenyon: 609.828.1450 callawayhenderson.com/id/5KTKGQ
Introducing: Brandon Road
Hopewell Township, NJ | $926,000 Jane Henderson Kenyon: 609.828.1450 callawayhenderson.com/id/RT83JR
Introducing: Hamilton Avenue Princeton, NJ | $729,000 Owen ‘Jones’ Toland: 609.731.5953 callawayhenderson.com/id/MQYM9G
Introducing: Brandon Road
Hopewell Township, NJ | $600,000 Brinton H West: 609.462.0556 callawayhenderson.com/id/57XK6B
Introducing: South Harrison Street Princeton, NJ | $875,000
Linda Twining: 609.439.2282 callawayhenderson.com/id/B6BR44
Introducing: River Road Ewing Township, NJ | $649,000 Cori Miller: 215.801.2287 callawayhenderson.com/id/9E7R6R
Introducing: Spruce Street Princeton, NJ | $550,000