Town Launches Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign 9
Evening of 18th Century Music, Dance Reimagines Princeton Performance 12
Living In William Faulkner’s The Sound and The Fury — A Birthday Celebration 18
Kelsey Theatre Presents Groundhog Day . . . . 23
PU Football Falls to Lehigh In Opener, Looking to Get On Winning Track as it Hosts Howard 29
PHS Girls’ Soccer Goalie Zaldarriaga Notches 100th Career Save as Tigers Tie Hun 0-0 32
PPS Welcomes New Food Service Supplier, Food Systems Coordinator
Princeton Public Schools (PPS) is starting the 2024-25 school year with a new food systems literacy coordinator, Shannon Barlow, and a new food service supplier, Pomptonian, that offers unlimited servings of fruits and vegetables to accompany each meal.
Those changes at PPS signal a whole new perspective on the signi cance of food, its role in school, and its role in the lives of the school community, according to PPS Science Supervisor Joy BarnesJohnson.
“These paired developments will, over time, fundamentally change the way that all of us at the district — students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration — understand and use food for curriculum, health, wellness, community, and for the good of natural systems that are prerequisites to all life,” said Barnes-Johnson, as quoted in a press release from Princeton School Gardens Cooperative, Inc. (PSGC), which is collaborating with PPS to use campus resources to illustrate and amplify curriculum.
Barnes-Johnson continued, “Food has myriad roles in our lives, and it connects to nearly every academic subject. We are developing this program so that we can connect and strengthen our own district across all six campuses and then share everything we’ve learned with other districts to connect and strengthen them.”
As the new coordinator Barlow, who is a public health specialist, will be using food, water, and land systems on PPS campuses and drawing on the Teaching Kitchens and the diversity of the students to help illustrate and amplify curriculum. She is engaging faculty, staff, administration, and facilities in working to restore ecological systems on campus and nurturing the well-being of the student body.
Barlow’s priorities, according to the press release, include, coordinating school foods with curriculum, seasons, student demographics, and making full use of the District’s Edible Gardens at all of the six campuses; strengthening the district’s Garden State on Your Plate farm-to-table program, which celebrates a produce item every month in all the school cafeterias and makes sure the item is served twice a week as part of the National School Lunch Program and represents world cuisines and cultures. Additionally, her priorities include
Council Passes Ordinance to Acquire Westminster Campus
An ordinance that could determine the future of the 23-acre property formerly occupied by Westminster Choir College was the subject of several comments during a public hearing at the meeting of Princeton Council on Monday evening, September 23. The ordinance, which was introduced on September 9, authorizes the acquisition of the site “by negotiation, purchase, condemnation, or eminent domain.”
At the close of the public hearing, Council voted unanimously in favor of the measure. Council President Mia Sacks, who led the meeting since Mayor Mark Freda is on vacation, called it “a historic evening for all of us.” To those who expressed concerns that the Westminster Conservatory of Music and the Westminster Community Orchestra would not be a part of the future plans for the site, Sacks said that the municipality is aware of their history and importance to the cultural life of the community.
The Conservatory and Orchestra are among the cultural organizations that operate on the Walnut Lane campus. Westminster Choir College was located there from 1935 until it was moved to the campus of Rider University in Lawrence Township in 2017 following
Rider’s failed attempt to sell it to a Chinese company (Rider merged with the Choir College in 1991).
Previous to comments from the public, the town’s development attorney Steven Mlenak gave a brief summary of the situation. He referred to the two lawsuits surrounding the property — neither of which involve the municipality — as “the white elephant in the room,” and said the town has the right to proceed with the proposed sale.
“Regardless of any of the claims, the municipality’s right to acquire that property, either through private sale or condemnation, is not impeded at all by any of the claims made in the ongoing litigation,” he said. “The municipality is free to acquire that property, and the ownership is free to convey that property.”
Antonio Meroli, a member of the Westminster Community Orchestra, said he assumed that the ordinance provides for preserving the use of music facilities at
Election Race Approaches Final Month; BOE Candidates Square Off October 1
With races for U.S. president and vice president, U.S. Senate, U.S House of Representatives, Board of Mercer County Commissioners, Princeton mayor and Council, and Princeton Board of Education (BOE) all on the line, the 2024 campaign season is approaching its nal month. Vote-by-mail ballots are already available, early voting starts on October 26, and November 5 is Election Day.
On Tuesday, October 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the six Princeton BOE candidates will face each other in a Candidates’
Forum Webinar hosted by the Princeton Parent-Teacher Organization Council (PTOC).
In Princeton the race for three seats on the School Board, with one incumbent and ve new candidates running, is drawing the most attention and generating the most lawn signs, while Mark Freda in the race for another term as mayor and incumbent Leighton Newlin and new candidate Brian McDonald in the race for two seats on Princeton Council are unopposed.
MASTER CARVER: Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) fall Artist-in-Residence Nathan Jackson, right, a nationally renowned Alaskan Tlingit artist, works with his wife, Dorica, on the ACP’s new totem pole at a public carving demonstration on Friday. The project, “Monumental Sculptures: Understanding the Totem Poles of the Northwest Coast,” honors and celebrates the Tlingit peoples of that region. Made from western red cedar, the 8-foot-high work will permanently reside in the ACP front lobby when completed.
(Photo by Jeffrey E. Tryon)
Grace Schulze Stars as PU Field Hockey Edges
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U-PICK SUNFLOWERS FALL FESTIVAL: The annual event at Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge continues daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October 14. Visit hollandridgefarms.com for tickets.
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Note from the Publisher: Town by Town, Neighbor to Neighbor : The loss of local news coverage nationwide has plagued citizens who are curious and interested in events, news, and helping their neighbors. In the last year, 5,000 local newspapers stopped publishing.
We at Town Topics are devoted to zeroing in on local issues and bringing them to our readers. In that spirit, Town Topics has begun to offer expanded coverage of local news in neighboring communities. Look for upcoming coverage of Hillsborough, Hightstown, Ewing, Pennington, Hopewell, Flemington, and surrounding communities. Each town will have its own section of news and advertisers.
We hope this expanded coverage results in your visiting our neighboring towns, and developing a better appreciation for our Central New Jersey neighbors, town by town, neighbor to neighbor.
Leighton Listens: Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton on September 25 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Art@ Bainbridge/Garden Theatre, 158 Nassau Street. All are welcome.
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 in October, 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.
Sustainable Princeton “Lending Library”: Sustainable Princeton offers residents and nonprofits in Princeton the opportunity to borrow sustainable home items such as electric landscape equipment, induction cooktops, and repair tools, for free, for up to two weeks. Visit sustainableprinceton.org for more information.
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 September and October. For specific dates and more information, email mercer@literacynj.org or call (609) 587-6027.
Volunteer for FOPOS : Friends of Princeton Open Space is looking for volunteer land stewards on September 28 to help restore riparian and forest areas, remove invasive plants, and plant native trees and shrubs at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. Sessions are 9-11 a.m. or 12-2 p.m. Visit fopos.org.
Join a Planting Session : At Mapleton Preserve, Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands invite volunteers to help plant 150 deer- and drought-resistant native plants and shrubs into a prepared plot. Learn about why these plants were selected, and the value of native plants for your garden. Bring shovels, pitchforks and trowels for planting. No experience necessary. On the job training. Volunteer service hours available. Gloves and refreshments supplied. All are welcome. Fpnl.org.
Millhill Holiday Giving Drive : Millhill Child and Family Development is collecting gifts and warm coats through November 29. In-person donations will be accepted through December 6. Contact Angie at AMcManimon@millhillcenter.org for details.
Raise Money for ALS Research and Children’s Health : On Saturday, September 28 from 9-10:30 a.m., Life Time hosts its inaugural GO90 workout fundraiser for Angie’s Quest to Cure ALS and the Life Time Foundation. At 7 Forrestal Road, Plainsboro. Ltfoundation.org.
Gretalia Hospitality Group
Martin Food Group, nestled in the Pennington Shopping Center.
(Photo by Jeffrey E. Tryon)
Last year’s Princeton Green House Tour was such a success that the planners of the event, the Princeton Environmental Commission (PEC) and the nonprofit Sustainable Princeton, are back with round two. On
Saturday, September 28, the public can step inside six homes — two more than last year — to see examples of sustainable living.
“The response was tremendous, which is why at the end of the day we were all exhausted,” said Lisa Marcus Levine, the vice chair of the PEC. “But we said, ‘Let’s do it again.’”
TOPICS Of the Town
Tourgoers can learn about what Sustainable Princeton Executive Director Christine Symington calls “the nerdy stuff,” like insulation and utilities, as well as aesthetics and materials. Each of the properties, five of which are within walking distance of each other, has been dubbed for the tour.
“Bloomin’ on Birch” was custom-built to meet the most stringent environmental standards. “Hello Sunshine, Goodbye Gas” features a geothermal heat pump and a rooftop solar array with backup lithiumphosphate batteries. “Radically Radiant” is a retrofitin-progress named for its radiant heating/cooling floor. “The O.G. (Original Green) Home,” the one that inspired the tour, shows how a local homeowner built a sustainable home designed for aging in place using LEED building principles.
about solar installations, heat pumps, high-efficiency building design, recycled and natural building materials, sustainable stormwater management, aging in place, and so much more. Each home showcases a different aspect of sustainable home design and demonstrates how these forward-thinking designs play a role in making our community more sustainable and more resilient to the effects of climate change.”
Last year’s event included four videos that were shown at Princeton Public Library on the same day of the tour. It’s a little different this year.
Also open are “Sustain AbeLeigh HISTORIC,” a whole-house renovation within a historic district featuring numerous sustainable materials, and “Leedin’ on Linden,” one of the only LEED-for-homes platinumcertified houses in Princeton, designed by local architect Kirsten Thoft.
“After last year’s tour, we got several requests for contacts of contractors and architects,” said Symington. “A lot of people were very interested in talking to professionals. That’s why we have included a list for informational purposes of these professionals that folks can use.”
Princeton Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, who serves as liaison to the PEC, said in a press release, “Tourgoers will get a chance to learn
September 4 through October 30 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April 3 through May 1 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Firestone Library/Chapel Plaza
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GOING GREEN: This home on Birch Avenue is open again this year for the Princeton Green House Tour. An example of sustainable living, it is one of six included on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free but reservations for time slots are necessary.
“We decided it was a pretty big day, so we’ve scheduled three videos to be shown on October 19 at 10 a.m.,” said Symington. “And because people are really curious, we are going to have a panel discussion with a couple of the hosts and experts in green building.”
Making a home sustainable is a more accessible undertaking than it was in the past. The tour is designed to emphasize that.
“These houses are beautiful,” said Levine. “You might think there aren’t a lot of choices, and 10 to 15 years ago that might have been the case. But it’s not out of reach anymore. It’s not just for rich people. Also, you don’t have to do everything. You don’t have to change all of your windows; you can change some. There are more affordable options.”
Another goal of the tour is to make people comfortable with green building installations. “When your HVAC system breaks, for example, you have to make a decision right away,” said Symington. “The more people learn about these things ahead of time and plan for that rather than having to make a decision when something breaks, the better it is.”
Admission to the tour is free. Tickets are first come, first served, and limited to 15 participants per time slot. Participants must be over 18 to enter the homes. To reserve a slot, visit princetongreenhousetour.com or visit the Sustainable Princeton office at 1 Monument Drive. Walking, biking, and carpooling are highly encouraged to reduce traffic around the homes.
“People want to know what they can do with their own homes to address climate change as well as make them more comfortable,” said Symington. “We’re very grateful that we have homeowners willing to share their experiences about implementing these techniques. It’s really been great for the team putting this together. It’s an example of a great collaborative effort.”
—Anne Levin
Experience Princeton Launches “Fall for Local” Campaign
Experience Princeton has announced the “Fall for Local” campaign, a communitywide initiative designed to celebrate and support local businesses during the fall season. The campaign is underway and continues through Friday, November 24.
Question of the Week:
“What did you find here today?”
(Asked Saturday at the Friends and Foundation of Princeton Public Library’s Annual Book Sale) (Photos by Sarah Teo)
“I
a
The idea is to showcase the dining, shopping, and entertainment attractions in town. Throughout the campaign, Experience Princeton will hold fall-themed events, from seasonal dining and craft fairs to outdoor concerts and family-friendly activities.
“Fall is a time of connection and community, and our ‘Fall for Local’ campaign is all about celebrating the incredible businesses that make Princeton so special,” said Isaac Kremer, Experience Princeton’s executive director. “We encourage everyone to embrace the season, support our local entrepreneurs, and make lasting memories here.”
Visit experienceprinceton. org/Princeton-events for a continuously updated events calendar.
picked Austerlitz because it’s about
man finding his family, and my mom loves genealogy — I thought she’d really like it; Sigmund Freud, with handwritten annotations from a previous owner; and Less, because of the character’s struggle.”
— Margaret Hill, Princeton
“I found a lot of books on the history of American music, and I was pleased to find some I’d never seen before about midcentury rhythm and blues, jazz pianists, and a biography of Alan Lomax.”
— Stephen Saperstein, East Brunswick
“I got some children’s books for my grandkids, and a book for supporting kids who deal with mean classmates. Also, my background is French, and I’m wanting to pass it on, so I found some picture books that might help.”
— Carol Prevost, Princeton
“I found my favorite science fiction author, Isaac Asimov; a “biography” of Sherlock Holmes; Agatha Christie’s biography; and a pretty copy of The Three Musketeers.” — Danna Hargett, Paris, France
BOE Candidates
continued from page one
In the contest for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Robert Menendez, Democrat Andy Kim is running against Republican Curtis Bashaw; in the 12th District race for Congress incumbent Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman is running against Republican Darius Mayfield; and in the county commissioners competition a slate of three Democrats is vying against three Republican candidates for three seats.
Information about the Princeton BOE candidates is available on the PTOC website at princetonptoc. weebly.com, in local and social media, and on candi dates’ websites, as well as in a continuing flow of letters to the Town Topics Mailbox. For this article Town Topics asked the candidates to pro vide a statement of no more than 100 words on what they would like local resi dents to know about them and their candidacy. Their responses follow in reverse alphabetical order.
and running platform, please visit my campaign website: ShenweiForBoE. org. Princeton parents had to get a lot more involved in PPS in the past two years: proposed “change” in PMS math curriculum, abrupt firing of PHS principal, afterschool vendor problems at elementary schools, and mysterious departure of the PPS superintendent. It is good more people are paying attention, it is bad that parents are concerned, rightfully so. I share those concerns and would like to help with my time and experience in technology and consulting.
Shenwei Zhao
My family has lived in Princeton since 2016. For more about my background
Erica Snyder
What sets me apart in this race is my extensive background in educational leadership and my handson experience in schools from pre-K through 12. I am passionate about improving the quality of education for all students. My goal is to ensure that every student receives the support they need to succeed, particularly those who have been historically underserved. I am committed to closing educational gaps, conducting a comprehensive superintendent search, and enhancing
district communication. I will leverage my skills in curriculum and instructional design, educational leadership, advocacy and strategic planning to facilitate inno vative solutions to the chal lenges facing PPS today.
learning environment for all students. As an engaged parent and citizen I’ve contributed to our schools as PTO co-president, and through regular participation at PTO Council, BOE, and BOE committee meetings. I am aware of the challenges facing our district and believe my extensive business experience in finance, operations, and board governance would be assets to the BOE. I would bring a pragmatic, respectful approach and immediately roll up my sleeves
to collaboratively tackle dif ficult tasks to find solutions that benefit students and the community.
Lisa Potter I’m running for the Princ eton Board of Education to ensure that our schools are equipped to serve every stu dent in a fiscally responsible way. I bring over a decade of experience in human re sources and organizational transformation, which I be lieve will be valuable as we work toward stabilizing lead ership, promoting transpar ency, and making thoughtful budget decisions. I believe that our Board should re flect the diversity of our community, and I’m dedi cated to ensuring that every voice is heard. Together, we can create a school district that excels and prepares our children for the challenges of tomorrow.
to guide the district through the various budgetary and capacity challenges it faces. I am running for reelection because I consider very few things more important than a high-quality public-school education for all our children. I expect our district to have high expectations for each of our children as we seek to enable them to fulfill their potential and become engaged citizens in a global
The October 1 PTOC Webinar will give each candidate one minute for an opening statement, then the candidates will be asked five questions on key themes of interest to the community. There may be a lightning round of yes/no questions, and each candidate will have one minute to make a closing statement. Visit princetonptoc.weebly.com for more information.
Visit vote.nj.gov for voter registration (deadline October 15), vote-by-mail applications, early voting details, and other election
—Donald Gilpin
“Where quality still
Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-5
Food Service Supplier
continued from page one implementing and developing, in collaboration with the community’s water flow experts, the capture and conservation of water for irrigation of Edible Gardens and for plantings of native perennials; and facilitating and maintaining, along with the Princeton Environmental Commission and other nonprofits, multiple-layered micro food forest plantings that support biodiversity, pollinators, and habitat creation.
Pomptonian, the new food service company, features the Farm Stand fruit and vegetable program, including the spotlighting of at least one produce item each month.
“We are eager to build enthusiasm and participation in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, and to illustrate and amplify curriculum with both,” said PPS Business Administrator Matthew Bouldin.
“At the same time we want to bring some of our district’s existing resources into the spotlight. We live in the Garden State. What better way to celebrate both than on school lunch trays?”
Barlow, who joined the district this August, has previous experience in project management of food systems literacy efforts and in curriculum development on climate change, the food system, nutrition, and physical literacy.
She also has experience in review of grants and financial
reports, and she has conducted food waste research and audits. She earned her Master of Public Health from Rutgers School of Public Health and her BA from Rider University.
As food systems literacy coordinator, Barlow succeeds Tomia MacQueen, who was the first program coordinator.
Shannon Barlow
“The PSGC fosters equitable garden- and food-based education in the classroom, cafeteria and community,” states the PSGC website.
“The PSGC uses local and seasonal foods to connect students to their own bodies, to each other, to their families and communities, to curriculum, and to the world and its climate.”
It continues, “Our vision: All graduates, and by extension, their parents, know how to grow a salad, read a label, set a table, cook for their community, and understand that their choices help shape the future that we share.”
—Donald Gilpin
Dodge Poetry Festival Announces Lineup
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark is once again the site of the annual Dodge Poetry Festival October 17-19.
Reimagined to include poetry and music, the festival will mix spoken word poetry with jazz, hip hop, and R&B at readings, performances, outdoor events, and more. The goal is to inspire a community mobilizing for racial and social justice, repair, and healing.
“The Dodge Foundation has a long legacy of creating opportunities for people to explore and engage with poetry. We are thrilled about the reimagined Dodge Poetry initiative with NJPAC, and this 20th Dodge Poetry Festival, and we look forward to expanding our ability to reach new places and people and highlight artists and activists who address issues of social justice,” said Preston D. Pinkett III, board chair of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Among the participants are Joan Baez, Mahogany L. Browne, Nikki Giovanni, Aracelis Girmay, Tyehimba Jess, Claudia Rankine, and Sonia Sanchez. A free open mic and mixer in NICO Kitchen + Bar, the restaurant on the NJPAC campus, will be available.
For a full listing and more information, visit njpac.org.
Artwork by Nicole Steacy
Clock by Rustic Mountain Chic Tote by Stay Wild Co.
Earrings by Louminous Design
Watch by Terra-Time
Princeton Reaches Out to Local Businesses
With PSE&G-Backed Sustainability Campaign
Aiming to help businesses manage their energy use, reduce carbon emissions, and take advantage of PSE&G’s programs and incentives, the Municipality of Princeton has launched its energy effi ciency outreach campaign.
As part of Princeton’s participation in the Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership Program, local businesses are encouraged to upgrade to energyefficient equipment and reduce their energy costs.
Bank of Princeton President and CEO Edward Dietzler noted that his bank had taken advantage of the PSE&G program. “I reached out to PSE&G, thinking they’d be able to demonstrate to us opportunities to save, make things more efficient, and upgrade the system,” he said.
PSE&G provided an assessment audit report for the bank, but there was no obligation to follow through or make any changes. “We thought it would be a big opportunity for us to take a step forward and replace things and get to the next level,” Dietzler said in a Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G video. “With the programs that they had in place, it allowed us to do that.”
He continued, “In the long run all these things start to add up. Sustainablilty is important to everyone and it’s just going to take time, but I think we’re all moving in the right direction.”
Isaac Kremer, executive director of Experience Princeton, explained that for businesses that choose to participate a PSE&G-approved adviser will come and look at heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other equipment.
“And then they’ll come up with really common sense ways to save you money and improve your bottom line,” he said. “With the no-cost assessment and their support to help make improvements, it’s just another way we’re helping your business achieve its sustainability goals while also making it more profitable.”
Kremer pointed out that businesses that complete the audit are eligible for rebates and incentives to pay for upgrades.
The PSE&G adviser will also provide information on cost savings from these improvements, available incentives and programs, and a list of approved contractors to work with. But the video reiterates that decisions on moving forward are entirely up to the business owner.
“You can work with your contractor to choose the
scope of work that best fits the needs of your business,” the video states. “By taking action you can lower your utility bills and upgrade the efficiency of your business while helping the environment.”
Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros pointed out, “By taking advantage of the free, no-obligation energy assessment, businesses have the opportunity to increase their energy efficiency and potential cost savings from the incentives being offered for upgrades and reduced operating costs.”
In September 2020, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved PSE&G’s Clean Energy Future Energy Efficiency Program, enabling PSE&G to commit $1 billion toward energy efficiency over three years, including 10 programs to help residential and commercial customers reduce their energy use with energy-efficient equipment, technologies, and strategies, according to a Municipality of Princeton press release.
Some of the equipment upgrades that business owners can expect to receive from the Direct Install Program include lighting retrofits, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, commercial refrigeration equipment, and motors.
Earlier this month the Municipality announced the start of a similar energy efficiency program to help homeowners and renters reduce carbon emissions, make their homes more comfortable, and reduce their energy bills.
Participation in PSE&G’s Energy Efficiency Programs “makes it easy and affordable to upgrade to energyefficient equipment or add insulation,” a municipal press release stated. “These upgrades will help to make our homes healthier and more comfortable while also reducing energy bills.”
The residential campaign website is at EnergyOutreachNJ.com/Princeton.
These energy efficiency outreach campaigns are part of the municipality’s progress towards Princeton’s Climate Action Plan’s Objective 1, which is reduction of carbon emissions and helping the community to become more climate-resilient.
Business owners can visit EnergyOutreachNJ.com/ PrincetonSave. Business or property owners can schedule a free consultation by calling PSE&G at 844) 3007734 or visiting bizsave. pseg.com/Direct-Install.
—Donald Gilpin
Fall Migration Bird Walk
At Cedar Ridge Preserve
On Sunday, September 29 at 8:30 a.m., D&R Greenway Land Trust will sponsor a bird walk at its Cedar Ridge Preserve in Hopewell Township. Participants will meet at the Cedar Ridge Stony Brook parking lot, and are encouraged to bring a water bottle and binoculars, and wear hiking boots or sneakers. Light snacks will be served.
Bird expert Juanita Hummel and Girl Scout Vedika Sharma will lead the walk through fields and forest trails to experience the diversity of migratory birds on Cedar Ridge Preserve. Participants will identify birds like Eastern Towhees and Veeries, active now on the preserve and soon to be migrating down south. They will also see and hear yearround residents such as the Carolina wren, downy woodpecker, white-breasted nuthatch, and red-shouldered hawk, among others.
“At this time of year, birds that are arriving to spend the winter overlap with those that are leaving or passing through on their way south. We might see kettling raptors overhead, flocks of south-bound sparrows in the fields and sapsuckers and hermit thrushes in the woods,” said Hummel.
Tina Notas, D&R Greenway’s director of land stewardship added, “Walking through Cedar Ridge Preserve you’ll see various pollinators visiting late-blooming asters, goldenrod, and even white turtlehead. The colors of fall paint the preserve like an artist’s great masterpiece.”
Encompassing over 200 acres, Cedar Ridge is especially vibrant during fall when the leaves begin to change colors with hues of red, orange and brown. Goldenrod makes a showy display, accompanied by swarms of butterflies and bees. Red tailed hawks are often seen patrolling these meadows in search of voles and moles and an occasional American kestrel can be seen hovering over the fields.
Cost to attend of $10 supports D&R Greenway’s mission to preserve land. RSVP s are required by September 26 and can be made at drgreenway.org or (609) 924.4646.
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FALL BEAUTY: Cedar Ridge Preserve in Hopewell Township is the place to witness the fall bird migration with expert birder Juanita Hummel on September 29.
Westminster Campus continued from page one the site. “It seems to me wise and cost-effective that the community keeps the existing musical facility in place and alive,” he said. “The music history is an asset for Princeton, not a liability.”
Westminster Conservatory faculty member Amy Wolfe commented, “If the best course of action for the Conservatory is to be acquired by Princeton, I’m okay with that. But it is so important that a piece of this property retain the roots of the Choir College. The Conservatory should remain on the property. Part of it should be retained as the Westminster legacy. Princeton is a community that has always been known to support the arts. I hope you as a Council will continue to support Westminster Conservatory, in whatever capacity works.”
Historian Clifford Zink congratulated the Council “for this bold and very important initiative for the future of the town,” adding that the Westminster property has been cited in the town’s Master Plan as a potential future historic district. “I would recommend
that the town proceed with designating that core and finding appropriate uses for it,” he said. Zink also urged the Council to be creative in repurposing the site.
“It has 12 buildings. Certainly not all of them are fully usable, but it will be years and years as the town develops uses,” he said. “Many of the buildings are suitable, so be creative in using what’s there, for as long as possible.”
Architect Joshua Zinder expressed concern should any or all of the property be turned over to the Princeton Public Schools d istrict. The district “has demonstrated that they are poor stewards of the structures in their hands, as can be seen in how they have let the Valley Road School fall apart when they should have been trustees of that building and other buildings,” he said. Zinder added that he is optimistic about the potential of the sale. “But I am fearful of giving the school district more of Princeton’s architectural history to squander.”
Maria Juega said she was concerned about the lack of public disclosure about the sale, including details about how much money and time will be put into the project.
She also asked whether creation of a task force was being considered. Sacks responded that this early phase of the project is only about acquisition, and that the appointment of a task force is possible.
“The most important thing we want to see happen is that this property be used for the benefit of the residents of Princeton,” said Sacks. “Our interest here is ensuring this property belongs to the public, and Princeton’s public. We hope there will be maximum public input.”
Council members Michelle Pirone Lambros, Leticia Fraga, and Leighton Newlin thanked those who provided comments in person or over Zoom. “We’re hearing some concerns, some good ideas, comments, and a lot of questions,” said Lambros. “We’re not at the point yet in the process, but when it is appropriate there will be a robust planning process that will incorporate the community.”
New Jersey Initiative Targets Food Insecurity
The Meal Recovery Coalition (MRC), a coalition across the private and nonprofit sectors, officially launched September 18 at a summit held at Rutgers University’s Cook Student Center. The Coalition, which aims to promote the recovery of healthy, surplus meals from large cafeterias and deliver them to food-insecure residents across New Jersey, was celebrated by Gov. Phil Murphy, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and other leaders.
“All of us on Council have real ties to this property,” Sacks concluded. “What happened is what happened. We can’t change that. The only thing we on Council can do now is try to make the best of the situation for future generations. I think there is room for all sorts of things, once we get past this very challenging legal stage.”
A public hearing on the financial process of the sale will be held at the October 14 meeting of Council.
—Anne Levin
Get the scoop from
ger and food waste. In his keynote address, Murphy lauded the Coalition’s efforts in tackling both food security and environmental sustainability and pioneering an approach that will keep tons of food out of landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Attendees also heard from experts in food security and waste reduction and engaged in discussions on how best to collaborate to support food security through meal recovery in their communities.
invite the public to join a planting session for Hamsika Y’s Eagle project. Help plant 150 deer-and-drought-resistant native plants and shrubs into the prepared plot at the Mapleton Preserve. Bring shovels, pitchforks, and trowels for planting. No experience is necessary and volunteer service hours are available. Visit fpnl.org for more information.
through financial contributions and advocacy efforts.
“Nearly one million New Jersey residents live with food insecurity because they don’t have enough affordable, nutritious food,” said Helene Lanctuit, CEO of Share My Meals. “At the same time, in New Jersey alone, we estimate that 5 million prepared meals end up in landfi lls annually in the food service sector. The Meal Recovery Coalition aims to break this cycle by providing a user-friendly, safe way of diverting those meals to support food security in the state and adding them to the other food sources New Jersey is bringing to bear to achieve that goal.”
especially helpful to new voters, but given the early voting and mail-in options, there is something for everyone. Those who have recently turned 18, are newly naturalized, recently moved, or curious about voting status or voting options are encouraged to attend.
On Tuesday October 29 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., “Vote By Design” will guide participants through a nonpartisan, issue-agnostic process for selecting candidates whose values and priorities support their own. The session will consider what qualities we look for in our leaders and what influences informed voting.
“The voting process has changed over the years, so come for an update and leave with a voting plan,” said Jean Nitzberg, president of the League of Women Voters Greater Princeton Area Chapter and one of three presenters of the programs.
“I am proud to see New Jersey lead the way in addressing hunger and food waste,” said Murphy. “The Meal Recovery Coalition is taking bold steps forward by pioneering this effort. This initiative will not only divert food from going to landfill and compost — which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions — but will also put meals on the tables of New Jersey residents facing food insecurity.”
The Coalition’s vision is to establish meal recovery as a standard practice throughout New Jersey, with the long-term goal of creating a scalable, sustainable model that can be replicated nationwide. By improving the capabilities of meal recovery programs, increasing awareness of meal recovery as a vital food source, and fostering collaboration among private, nonprofit, and government stakeholders, the MRC aims to address food insecurity and reduce food waste simultaneously.
The Coalition has set an ambitious goal to recover 500,000 meals annually by 2026, which will provide sustenance to an additional 6,400 people each week.
The Princeton-based nonprofit Share My Meals has been the driving force behind the formation of the MRC. Founding members include Bristol Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, Campbell Soup Company, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Sanofi, and Capital Health. These organizations have, between them, committed to the recovery of surplus meals as well as serving as ambassadors for meal recovery and supporting the Coalition
Since its inception in December 2023, the Meal Recovery Coalition has already recovered 100,000 meals, diverting over 295,000 pounds of CO 2 equivalent from landfills. With continued support, the Coalition aims to expand its impact exponentially.
Voter Education Events
At West Windsor Library
West Windsor Library has partnered with the Princeton Area League of Women Voters to host two voter education events this fall. These free events are open to both adults and teens: new, experienced, and future voters are all welcome.
On Wednesday September 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., “How To Vote: Rules of the Road” will present a complete introduction to the mechanics of voting —
“The right to vote is an incredible privilege we enjoy as American citizens,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, “but many still face challenges or questions that prevent them from voting. Through this program, we’re providing our residents with the tools they need to make their voices heard this November and for years to come.”
Both events will take place at the West Windsor Branch of the Mercer County Library System, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Visit mcl.org for more information.
Helene Lanctuit
Michael Graves Architecture Expands to North Carolina
Michael Graves Architecture (MG), the Princeton-based global leader in planning, architecture, and interior design, has opened its newest studio in Charlotte, N.C.. The Charlotte studio reflects MG’s commitment to broadening its influence and providing unparalleled quality and innovation in key markets across the United States.
Following the acquisition of Washington D.C.-based architecture firm PGN Architects; Texas-based Practice Technology consultancy Parallax Team; Marylandbased planning, architecture, and interior design firm Waldon Studio Architects (WSA); New Jersey-based Jose Carballo Architectural Group (JCAG); North Carolina-based Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce Architects; and Tennessee-based Studio Four Design, this expansion marks a pivotal element in MG’s comprehensive, longterm growth strategy.
Dane Suchoza and Becky Stambaugh lead the Charlotte studio, both recognized leaders in architectural design with over 80 years of combined experience. Most recently, Suchoza initiated a partnership with Gresham Smith, leading to a strong team that secured and executed the transformational design of the $600 million Terminal Lobby Expansion project currently being constructed at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, on track for a 2025 completion.
“Opening a studio in Charlotte is a natural progression of our strategic
expansion in and commitment to North Carolina, following our successful integration into the WinstonSalem market,” said Joe Furey, president and CEO of MG. “Charlotte’s rich design culture and progressive urban landscape present a unique opportunity for us to bring MG’s design excellence and human-centric approach to a new audience.
With Dane and Becky at the helm, we are confident this studio will contribute significantly to our presence in the Southeast.”
MG’s decision to establish a studio in Charlotte was driven by the city’s explosive growth, vibrant design community, and the increasing demand for high-quality architectural services.
“Charlotte is on the rise, and we are thrilled to be part of its story,” said Suchoza.
“Our goal is to challenge the status quo and bring a new level of design excellence to the market. By coupling MG’s national expertise with local insights, we are poised to significantly impact the region’s architectural landscape.”
As MG continues to expand its footprint, the Charlotte studio represents a critical step in the firm’s
long-term vision for growth in the Southeast. With plans to increase staff, broaden service offerings, and deepen community engagement, MG is committed to making a lasting impact on Charlotte’s architectural landscape.
On Thursday, October 31 at Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton, the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber will host “Election Preview 2024” from 8 to 10 a.m. The restaurant is at 50 Riverview Plaza.
In addition to the presidential election coming up in a few weeks, there is also a gubernatorial election in 2025. What experts think will happen, and what that means for local businesses, is the focus of the breakfast event.
Speakers are Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics; Brigid Harrison, development chair, political science and law at Montclair University; and Patrick Murray, founding director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Tickets are $45. Visit princetonmercer.org.
The views of the letters do not necessarily reflect the views of Town Topics.
Urging Drivers to Be Attentive When Approaching Terhune-Jefferson Intersection
To the Editor:
I am grateful to live in as bicycle-friendly a town as Princeton, and I enjoy biking to day care and work with my 1-year-old son in his trailer a few times a week. As a cyclist I strive to be visible and to follow the rules of the road, as I expect cars to do, and I generally feel safe.
However, within the past few weeks we’ve had several close calls at the intersection of Terhune Road and Jefferson Road, when drivers heading west on Terhune have run or almost run their stop sign as I came downhill with the right-of-way on Jefferson. There are no sight-line issues at this corner, and it’s difficult to understand how these drivers haven’t seen us coming down the hill with our bright colors, lights, and trailer flag.
The stop sign on Terhune is already a large version with a “cross traffic does not stop” sign beneath, but this is clearly insufficient. Perhaps a stop sign with blinking red lights is in order here, as a complement to the other safety and traffic calming measures coming soon as part of the Terhune Road Improvements Project. In the meantime, I urge drivers to be attentive when approaching this intersection, and be sure to look uphill!
SARAH ROUS Hamilton Avenue
Ari Meisel is a Problem Solver Who is Deeply Invested in PPS and Community
To the Editor:
I’m writing in support of Ari Meisel as a candidate for the Board of Education. Ari is a problem solver who is deeply invested in our school system and our community, and I believe that he will be a capable addition to the Board.
You may have heard Ari described as an “efficiency coach.” I didn’t fully understand what that meant when I first met Ari a few years ago, but I’ve come to understand that it involves helping entrepreneurs and C-level executives become better managers and navigate challenging periods for their businesses. This is often during a time of growth or transition, and Ari’s role involves digging into the details of a business and finding ways to improve systems and operations, whether it be by leveraging technology (one of Ari’s favorite topics), by hiring or delegating in a strategic way, or by teaching his clients to be more effective managers and communicators. From my perspective, that is a pretty ideal skill set to bring to the management of a system as important as our school district.
As other supporters have noted, Ari is also an extremely involved parent and member of our community, volunteering his time as the vice president of PFARS, vice chair of the Princeton C.A.R.E.S. committee, and a leader of the PMS PTO. A typical weekend for Ari involves lots of parenting, with five children and an activity schedule that requires advanced Excel skills to manage, and then reporting for an overnight shift at PFARS. He seems to have endless bandwidth to take on new tasks and he is equally willing to engage on matters large and small where something needs to be done. For example, he lobbied for and then conducted the first advanced first aid training for all PPS school nursing staff in case a student or teacher sustains a traumatic injury, and he also coordinates the sale and ordering of all PMS spirit wear. In the near future, the Board of Education will be faced with several particularly impactful decisions: hiring a new superintendent, assessing the projected impact of new housing, and launching capital intensive building projects that will involve making major alterations to our schools. If elected to the Princeton Board of Education, I have no doubt that Ari will find ways to improve our school district in ways that will benefit students and families, and that we will all see and hear from him as he does so.
BEVERLY PREWITT Laurel Road
Solidaridad Central Jersey Volunteers Note That Asylum Seekers are Our Neighbors
To the Editor:
We hear a lot of talk against immigrants and immigration these days, but too often we fail to remember that, many times, people come to this country seeking refuge from violence and persecution. They have a right to apply for asylum, in accordance with UN Conventions and U.S. law, but there is little assistance available to help them navigate a complex system of rules and forms to seek asylum. Many are desperately looking for a better, safer life for themselves and their children; they contribute to our communities, filling important gaps in employment and adding the richness of their cultures to our lives.
The recent ICE raid in Princeton reminds us that a number of Solidaridad volunteers first came together six years ago, in response to a series of pre-dawn raids at immigrant neighbors’ homes. We are grateful that our elected representatives spoke out against the most recent action and that community members mobilized to ensure that our neighbors in Princeton knew their rights.
In our own efforts to do something concrete to help immigrant neighbors fleeing persecution, Solidaridad began to develop expertise in helping neighbors apply for asylum through a Pro Se Clinic. Required within one year of arrival, applying for asylum is a first step in obtaining relief from the fear of deportation and leads to the ability to apply for a work permit to work legally, while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim. Solidaridad initiated our first Pro Se Clinic in early 2020, at
a Princeton church, and has been able to expand our ability to provide this help county-wide online, assisting over 300 individuals since then. Volunteers from many walks of life and a range of careers, experience, and expertise, including several consulting attorneys, have made this possible. Some are retired, some actively employed, some students, some bilingual, some not. Some of us are moved to do this work because our parents or grandparents found refuge in this country long ago or more recently; others, by our sense of social justice and compassion.
But we need more volunteers, especially persons able to interview neighbors seeking asylum who have likely experienced trauma, and persons fluent in Spanish/English to interpret. Our Pro Se Clinic is team-based, fully virtual and involves just a one-hour commitment each week.
I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to help a neighbor make their asylum claim and begin to find safety and security. We invite Princeton community members to visit our website to learn more and to consider joining an upcoming orientation on October 8, as posted at solidaridadcentraljersey.org.
Call for Action, Awareness at Intersection
Of Rollingmead, Snowden, and Hamilton
To the Editor:
Driving over the years has gotten more and more dangerous. Car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. Getting a call that a loved one has gotten into an accident can be a traumatic experience. I experienced this twice (in March 2023 and April 2024) when my mom called to inform me that my dad got into an accident and the car he was driving got totaled. Luckily there were no fatal injuries, but the thought that something worse could have happened still lingers. Recently another crash at the same intersection was brought to my attention — hence the call to action to create awareness among the community and to find a solution to avoid further crashes.
Both the crashes, coincidentally, happened at the four-way intersection of Rollingmead, Snowden Lane, and Hamilton Avenue. This intersection only has two-way stop signs and has blind spots. Contributing factors also include overgrown shrubs, and no indicators stating that the incoming traffic does not stop. In both instances the car coming from Hamilton Avenue did not fully stop and resulted in a multi-vehicle crash including my dad’s car and, in both instances, he was not at fault. This intersection has been noted by residents as the most dangerous intersection in town. Princeton has many pedestrians and cyclists going through the various intersections, and we need to make them safer before we have more accidents. That’s why something needs to be done at the intersection of Rollingmead, Snowden Lane, and Hamilton Avenue. Either a four-way stop sign can be installed, or rumble strips can be added in front of the two stop signs on Rollingmead and Hamilton to slow traffic, like at the intersection of Jefferson Road and Terhune Road. Blinking lights to the stop signs can also be added to make the signs more visible and increase awareness. Most importantly the trees and shrubs needed to be pruned regularly so that the signs are not blocked, and the road is more visible.
Let’s act before we lose lives! Two cars (there may be more that I am not aware of) totaled at the same intersection in just over one year could be an indication of something worse to come, and let’s try to avoid it.
YASNA SHAHRIARIAN
Princeton High School Student Magnolia Lane
BOE Candidate Mara Franceschi is Running For Reelection Because Experience Matters
To the Editor:
I am writing as a 14-year resident of Princeton, mother of three (college and two at PHS), longtime community and school volunteer, and current Board of Education member. I am running for reelection to the BOE because experience matters. My background makes me uniquely qualified among the other candidates running to assist our schools from the very first day. With an MBA from Columbia, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter, and over a decade’s work experience in finance, I am well-qualified to manage financial oversight of the district. I currently co-chair the Personnel committee and sit on the Operations and Long-Range Planning committees. I have served as treasurer for the JP PTO, Nassau Nursery School, and Friends of the Library and on the town’s now disbanded Citizens Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC), among other volunteer positions.
Rising test scores, renewed facilities, stable finances, and thoughtful planning reflect the hard work and exciting new initiatives happening in the district. Elementary staff have been trained in the proven Orton-Gillingham structured approach
to literacy. Focusing on early intervention, the district aims to remedy literacy skill deficits before third grade to narrow persistent achievement gaps. The math program has been restructured to standardize how children are placed and improve math course progression. The district budget was balanced and AAA bond rating retained despite a challenging fiscal environment. Facilities are being properly updated and maintained after decades of deferred maintenance while a cost-efficient capacity planning solution has been proposed to address rising enrollments.
Significant challenges remain for the district as the Board balances student needs, rising enrollments, inflationary pressures, mandated budget caps, and high community expectations. My fi nancial background is indispensable in helping guide the district as we balance critical, necessary investments in our schools while keeping tax increases to a minimum, which is always at the forefront of my decision-making. I applaud the town for taking steps to acquire Westminster. Unfortunately, this is not a near-term solution for the schools. Should the district be offered land, it could be a decade before students are in actual seats as legal issues must be settled, proper environmental and other clearances obtained, community engagement and approval on possible uses sought, and construction completed. Fortunately, when the dust settles years from now, there will be more information on the additional growth implied by the recently adopted Master Plan and future rounds of affordable housing obligations. At that time, Westminster may offer a future Board a perfectly situated property to creatively and cost-effectively address possible future capacity needs. In the near term, the January referendum offers a necessary response to critical capacity needs resulting from new housing already being built.
As the only incumbent running for reelection, experience matters to ensure the continued success of our district. I respectfully ask for the community’s support as I seek a second term on the BOE and the continued opportunity to serve the students and our community. The BOE will always be my highest volunteer priority.
Zhao and Potter are
MARA FRANCESCHI Greenhouse Drive
United in Dedication To Supporting Diverse Needs of Students
To the Editor:
As Asian parents in Princeton, we are deeply invested in the education and future of our children. This year, we have the opportunity to elect two candidates to the Board of Education who not only reflect our values, but also bring personal experiences that resonate with our community. Shenwei Zhao and Lisa Potter come from different paths, but both are united in their dedication to supporting the diverse needs of Princeton’s students.
Princeton’s Asian population makes up close to 20 percent of the town’s residents. Our community is growing, with families from China, India, Japan, Korean, Taiwan, and other Asian nations contributing to Princeton’s rich cultural landscape. Zhao and Potter are shining examples of how leadership can reflect the diversity of our town and support the unique needs of families like ours.
Shenwei Zhao’s story is one many of us can relate to. He and his wife came from China to pursue their Ph.D.s, navigating the challenges of building a new life in a foreign country. His transition from academia to entrepreneurship showcases his perseverance and success. As an immigrant parent, Zhao
understands the unique challenges Asian families face, and he is committed to ensuring that our voices are heard in shaping Princeton’s schools.
Lisa Potter’s journey is equally inspiring. Originally from Taiwan, Potter has been a longtime community leader. Her expertise in human resources brings valuable experience in stabilizing leadership, succession planning, and championing inclusive, supportive environments in our schools. This is crucial not only for students but also for school staff, ensuring a well-managed environment that benefits the entire educational ecosystem.
As Asian parents, we understand the importance of representation and having leaders who reflect our experiences. We encourage residents to support the ideal of diverse leadership by voting for Shenwei Zhao and Lisa Potter. By doing so, you are taking meaningful action to advance diversity in Princeton’s leadership and ensuring a brighter future for our children. Together, we are building a community where every Princeton student can succeed and learn to thrive in an increasingly global economy.
ZHENGBING HUANG
Thanet Circle
QIAN LIU Warren Court
MANISHA MISHRA Gordon Way
JING YANG Linwood Circle
Letters to the Editor Policy
Town Topics welcomes letters to the Editor, preferably on subjects related to Princeton. Letters must have a valid street address (only the street name will be printed with the writer’s name). Priority will be given to letters that are received for publication no later than Monday noon for publication in that week’s Wednesday edition. Letters must be no longer than 500 words and have no more than four signatures.
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Letters are welcome with views about actions, policies, ordinances, events, performances, buildings, etc. However, we will not publish letters that include content that is, or may be perceived as, negative towards local figures, politicians, or political candidates as individuals.
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Books
Princeton Children’s Book Festival
To Be Held October 5 on Hinds Plaza
The Princeton Children’s Book Festival, a gathering of nearly 50 acclaimed authors and illustrators of children’s and teen literature, is being held on Saturday, October 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, on Hinds Plaza.
A Princeton tradition, the event is intended to ignite a lifelong love of books and reading, and is a chance for children and teens to meet and interact with some of their favorite authors and illustrators. Festival
organizers strive to bring a diverse and inclusive range of voices to the event and to strengthen the connection for youth between the stories on the page and the people who create them.
The poster for this year’s festival was created by award-winning illustrator Sharee Miller, whose works include Don’t Touch My Hair, Princess Hair, Michelle’s Garden, and the Shai & Emmie series. Miller will be presenting an interactive story time at 10:30 a.m. on the third floor of the library to open the festival.
Book sales for the Princeton Children’s Book Festival will be handled by festival sponsor, jaZams of Princeton, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Princeton Public Library. The attending authors and illustrators will sign copies of books purchased at the event.
A complete list of authors and illustrators participating in the 2024 Princeton Children’s Book Festival is available at princetonlibrary. org/bookfestival.
The festival will also feature free arts and crafts activities for children between the hours of 12 and 3 p.m. Princeton Public Library is in the Sands Library Building at 65 Witherspoon Street.
For more information call (609) 924-9529 or visit princetonlibrary.org.
Pulitzer Winner Thrall at Labyrinth with Razia Iqbal A Day in the Life of Abed Salama , by Nathan Thrall, won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-fiction and was named a Best Book of
the Year by The New Yorker, The Economist, Time, The New Republic, and the Financial Times. Thrall will be in conversation about the book with Razia Iqbal at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2 at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street.
A human portrait of the struggle over Israel/Palestine and offering a new understanding of the tragic history and reality of one of the most contested places on Earth, Thrall’s book (Metropolitan Books, $29.99) is an intimate account of a deadly accident outside Jerusalem that unravels over the course of one revealing, heartbreaking day.
Thrall is the author of The Only Language They Understand: Forcing Compromise in Israel and Palestine . His writing has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, the Guardian, London Review of Books, and the New York Review of Books and has been translated into more than 20 languages. He spent a decade at the International Crisis Group, where he was director of the Arab-Israeli Project and has taught at Bard College.
Iqbal is an anchor of Newshour on the BBC World Service, and for the last three decades she has reported from around the world, including as a special correspondent for BBC TV. Iqbal has presented the indepth interview series Witness History, Talking Books and Dream Builders, as well as documentaries for both radio and TV.
This event is cosponsored by Labyrinth Books and Princeton University’s Humanities Council.
Fund for Irish Studies Presents Robert Spoo Lecture on Joyce Princeton University’s Fund for Irish Studies opens its 2024-2025 series with “James Joyce’s Ulysses in New York: A Counterfactual View from Fifth Avenue,” a lecture by Robert Spoo, the Leonard L. Milberg ’53 Professor in Irish Letters at Princeton University. The program is on Friday, September 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the James Stewart Film Theater at 185 Nassau Street. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.
James Joyce’s Ulysses was first published in 1922 in Paris, France, by American bookseller Sylvia Beach, who is from Princeton, where she is buried. The centenary of this momentous literary event was recently celebrated throughout the world. But what if Ulysses the book had first been published, not in Paris, but in New York? In his lecture, Spoo proposes that the novel’s publication came close to that happening, and he explores how the history of Ulysses — and of New York’s role in modernist lit-
erature — would have been vastly different had Joyce’s masterpiece debuted from Manhattan. As Spoo substitutes New York City for Paris as the birthplace of the unexpurgated Ulysses , a lively cast of characters takes the stage including lavish patrons, overworked lawyers, timid and courageous publishers, a shameless literary pirate, censors and “smut hounds,” and Joyce himself. Pairing his academic career with work as a practicing lawyer, Spoo has assisted scholars, writers, and creative artists with the challenges of copyright and fair use and served as co-counsel in a groundbreaking lawsuit to free scholars from unwarranted copyright threats by the Estate of James Joyce. His books include James Joyce and the Language of History: Dedalus’s Nightmare ; Without Copyrights: Piracy, Publishing, and the Public Domain ; Modernism and the Law ; and, with Omar Pound, Ezra Pound and Margaret Cravens: A Tragic Friendship, 19101912 ; and Ezra and Dorothy Pound: Letters in Captivity, 1945-1946 . He is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships.
Spoo, who earned his Ph.D. in English at Princeton and his J.D. from Yale Law School, co-chairs the 2024-25 Fund for Irish Studies Series with Jane Cox, professor of the practice in theater and director of the Program in Theater & Music Theater at the Lewis Center. Spoo and Cox follow series co-chairs Fintan O’Toole and Paul Muldoon. For more information, visit arts.princeton.edu.
Robert Spoo (Photo by Sarah Malone)
Editors to Discuss “The Case of Lizzie Borden” Writings at Library
Editors Jane Greenway Carr and Lori Harrison-Kahan, in conversation with Valerie Popp, will discuss The Case of Lizzie Borden and Other Writings: Tales of a Newspaperwoman , a comprehensive collection of writings by reporter Elizabeth Garver Jordan. The event is on Sunday, September 29, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Registration is requested, but not required.
The Case of Lizzie Borden and Other Writings (Penguin Random House, $22 paperback), is the first collection of Garver Jordan’s fiction and journalism, much of which has been out of print for over a century. Jordan began her career as a reporter, making a name as one of few women journalists to cover the Lizzie Borden murder trial for the New York World in 1893. Jordan’s distinctive, narrative-driven coverage of the Borden and other high-profile murder cases brought her national visibility, and she turned increasingly to fiction writing, publishing detective novels and short story collections such as Tales of the City Room, that explored the fine line between women’s criminality and crimes against women.
Carr is a senior editor with CNN Opinion whose work has also appeared in The Atlantic, Slate and Vox among other publications. She was previously a contributing editor and fellow at the think tank New America and a lecturer in the English Department at New York University. She is the co-editor of The Case of Lizzie Borden and Other Writings: Tales of a Newspaper Woman.
Harrison-Kahan, also a coeditor of the book, is a professor in the English Department at Boston College and has received multiple awards for recovering forgotten literary works by women. She is the editor of The Superwoman and Other Writings by Miriam Michelson, coeditor of Heirs of Yesterday by Emma Wolf, co-editor of Matrilineal Dissent: Women
Ph.D. and master’s degree in social work, is an author, speaker, and a national expert on harm reduction and drug policy. She is currently the deputy director of the department of research and academic engagement at the Drug Policy Alliance, the nation’s leading advocacy organization fighting to end the war on drugs.
Althea Ward Clark W’21 Reading Series Opens Season
The Althea Ward Clark W’21 Reading Series, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Creative Writing at Princeton University, opens its new season with a reading by bestselling writer Elizabeth McCracken, author of the recent novel The Hero of this Book and the story collection The Souvenir Museum, and with the acclaimed poet Brenda Shaughnessy, author of the recent collection Tanya and award-winning collection Human Dark with Sugar.
The reading is on Tuesday, October 1, at 6 p.m. at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street. The event is free and open to the public, with the authors’ books available to purchase and have signed.
Library of America Anthology Grant Results in Fall Latino Poetry Programs
manities adviser for the “Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home Project.” He is assistant professor of English at Rider University.
Reyes is a Boricua multidisciplinary artist, content creator, and educator from Newark, who has been named one of “The Best New Latinx Authors of 2023” by LatinoStories.com for his most recent book, Papi Pichón, a finalist for the Omnidawn chapbook contest and the Andrés Montoya Poetry Prize.
Font recently wrote, produced, and acted in HONK (currently in post-production; quarterfinalist, Filmmatic Short Screenplay). She teaches acting, voice and speech, and performance as vehicle for social, political, and environmental awareness/action, with focuses on Latin America and elsewhere at Princeton University, NYU-Playwright’s Horizons, and Marymount Manhattan College.
Writers and Jewish American Literary History, and author of The White Negress: Literature, Minstrelsy, and the Black-Jewish Imaginary. Harrison-Kahan graduated from Princeton University and earned a Ph.D. in English and comparative literature from Columbia University.
Popp is the program lead for Journalism + Design at The New School in New York City. Prior to joining J+D in 2024, Popp was the director of strategic initiatives at the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, where she led programs including NJCH Sponsorships and a statewide community journalism effort called “Informed NJ.”
She holds a B.A. in English literature from Yale University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature from the University of California, Los Angeles.
The program is presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. A registration form can be found at princetonlibrary.libnet.info/ events.
Harm Reduction Talk Part of Mayor’s Wellness Campaign In a virtual discussion on Zoom on Tuesday, October 1 from 7 to 8:25 p.m., author Sheila Vakharia will talk about her book, The Harm Reduction Gap , as part of the Mayors Wellness Campaign, a statewide community health initiative in which the Municipality of Princeton is participating. It is sponsored by the Princeton Public Library. To register for the event, which is sponsored by Princeton Public Library, visit princetonlibrary.org/events.
The publisher (Routledge, $19.96 paperback) states that “by highlighting the large gap in our current approach to substance use — the harm reduction gap — this book is the first step for those interested in learning more about the limitations of our current approach to drug use and how to support local efforts to ensure people who use drugs and their communities can stay safe.” Vakharia, who holds a
McCracken is the author of eight books: Here’s Your Hat What’s Your Hurry , The Giant’s House , Niagara Falls All Over Again, An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination , Thunderstruck & Other Stories , Bowlaway , The Souvenir Museum , and most recently, The Hero of This Book, which was named a Best Book of 2023 by The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, and others and teaches at the University of Texas at Austin.
Shaughnessy is the Okinawan-Irish American author of seven poetry collections, including Tanya ; Liquid Flesh: New and Selected Poems ; The Octopus Museum , chosen as a New York Times Notable Book and Best Book of 2019 by Publishers Weekly ; and Our Andromeda , a finalist for the Griffin International Prize, the PEN/Open Book Award, and the Kingsley Tufts Prize. Her second collection, Human Dark with Sugar, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Currently, Shaughnessy is co-creating the production of Sensorium Ex, an opera for which she wrote the libretto, which will premiere in 2025. A professor of English and creative writing at Rutgers University-Newark, she lives in West Orange.
This event is cosponsored by Labyrinth Books.
well loved and well read since 1946
Princeton Public Library’s recent grant from the Library of America in support of celebrating Latino poetry has led to several programs offered this fall. The first, a panel featuring poet Rigoberto González, is on Monday, September 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the library, 65 Witherspoon Street.
The $1,200 grant is part of Library of America’s Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home initiative. “We are honored to be the only public library in New Jersey to receive the grant,” said Executive Director Jennifer Podolsky.
The library launches its programming with a focus on a volume of works by more than 180 poets spanning the 17th century to today, Latino Poetry: the Library of America Anthology. edited by González.
The event, held in the Community Room, will be livestreamed via YouTube, and
virtual attendees may place questions in advance through registration. Registration is requested, but not required, for in-person attendance, and can be completed through the library’s events calendar at princetonlibrary.libnet.info/ events.
Vincent Toro, assistant professor of English at Rider University, and Newark-based multidisciplinary artist Dimitri Reyes round out the panel which will be moderated by performer and educator Vivia Font.
González, a principal humanities adviser for the “Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home” project, is distinguished professor of English at Rutgers University in Newark, where he is director of the MFA program in Creative Writing.
Toro is a featured poet in Latino Poetry: the Library of America Anthology and hu-
A series of four discussions hosted by poets Enriqueta Carrington and Carlos Hernández Peña and based on the “Places We Call Home” Project Reader, will be held during October and November in the library Conference Room and on Zoom. Registration through the library’s events calendar is required for these events.
These discussions will all be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on October 9, “Ancestry & Identity” and “First & Second Homes”; October 23, “Voice & Resistance” and “Language / Lenguaje”; November 6, “Family and Community” and “Music and Performance”; and November 20, “Labor” and “Earth, Landscape, and Myth.” The last session is inperson only in the Newsroom.
The public humanities initiative is taking place across the nation in 2024 and 2025, is directed by Library of America and funded with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Emerson Collective, and presented in partnership with the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures; the Academy of American Poets; Cave Canem; Poetry Society of America; and the National Book Foundation, among others.
Living In William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” — A Birthday Celebration
Looking ahead to William Faulkner’s September 25th birthday, I reread the 1956 Paris Review interview in which he says The Sound and the Fury (1929) is the novel that caused him “the most grief and anguish,” comparing himself to the mother who “loves the child who became the thief or murderer more than the one who became the priest.”
For what it’s worth — a phrase to be reckoned with in this column — the novel of Faulkner’s that has afforded me the most pleasure and induced the most awe is the one that became “the thief or murderer.” In the same interview, Faulkner says that he wrote it five separate times. “It’s the book I feel tenderest towards. I couldn’t leave it alone, and I never could tell it right, though I tried hard and would like to try again.”
I read The Sound and the Fury four separate times, first when I was 19. Having found my way through it, I began reading it over again the day I finished it. Half a year later, I went back to it and finished it in two weeks. Seven years later, I reread it on the other side of the world.
Speaking of “worth,” I once owned a first edition of The Sound and the Fury that cost me $80, without the dust jacket; with a dust jacket, even in the 1980s, the price would have been way beyond my means. Although I read around in that charismatic object, I never read it through, satisfied simply to hold it, admiring the checkerboard cover design, the weight of the volume, the feel of it. In 2024 even a naked, unjacketed first like the one I once owned is spectacularly unaffordable. It seems that Faulkner’s “thief” is worth his weight in gold, and so, like a minor character in the first edition’s Dickensian rags to riches adventure, I sold Faulkner’s outlaw genius for a handsome profit, or so it seemed at the time.
This Ragged Scoundrel
Right now the novel by Faulkner that means the most to me is not only unsaleable but un-donatable; it would be a crime to leave this ragged scoundrel on any library’s doorstep, not least that of the Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library, sponsors of last week’s highly successful book sale.
The book in question is a vandalizedlooking Modern Library paperback in which the publisher paired The Sound and the Fury with As I Lay Dying (1930), a shorter book Faulkner described in terms of “simple brick by brick manual labor” next to the vagrant causer of “grief and anguish” — which has sustained the brunt of the damage, namely the rupture
on page 104 that left pages 105 to 108 wholly detached, with 107 torn in four places, yet still surprisingly intact. Another much more drastic sundering occurred on page 108, where the number of blue ballpoint underlinings is evidence of my excitement as a reader, giving the impression that I not only literally “got into” the novel but actually, bodily pushed my way between the covers, totally unmooring pages 109-170, a complete unit, and still worse, doing the same to pages 173-300, leaving page 301 attached to the remainder of the volume, which survived thanks only to the fact that I was too fascinated by the villainy of The Sound and the Fury to deal with the brickwork of As I Lay Dying.
As I carefully open a book that has broken into three distinct pieces, the first thing I see is my name printed by the same ballpoint used with shameless abandon throughout. Below that are the dates of previous readings, with this later addition, in pencil: “Also finished, Katmandu, Nepal, January 1966.”
The Last Paragraph That dated note refers not to my devastated Modern Library copy but to a cheap paperback edition bought in India, from which I saved the last page as yellowed evidence of the most satisfying reading experience of my life this side of Shakespeare. For all the previous times that I thought I “got” or was “getting” the novel, nothing close to that happened until I finished the final chapter, just me and the book curled up in an Army surplus sleeping bag. When I read the last paragraph aloud to myself in the below-freezing chill of the room, I could see my breath.
else would have written me,” it was as if someone else were reading with me from a book that had begun with a 33-year-old deafmute named Ben, who had passed it to his brothers Quentin and Jason, and at the end to a third-person narrative centered by the presence of a Black woman named Dilsey, one of Faulkner’s “favorite” characters “because she is brave, courageous, generous, gentle, and honest.”
In his essay in Faces in the Crowd, Gary Giddins refers to his “first readings” of The Sound and the Fury and the time spent “struggling to figure out the puzzle,” and how after “coming to it with the story in mind,” he was “moved less by its linguistic sorcery than its resonant humanity.”
DESDE 1929
For me something similar happened at the very end, after Luster starts to drive the horse-drawn carriage around the wrong side of the monument, setting off the deafmute Ben: “Bellow on bellow, his voice mounted, with scarce interval for breath.”
As Ben’s “hoarse agony roared around them,” Faulkner in effect gave the reins to Jason Compson, who pulled them round to the right side of the monument, making possible the last paragraph sitting all by itself at the top of page 224 of that cheap long-lost paperback:
DESDE 1929 78 Leigh Avenue Princeton, NJ 08542 (609) 921-8606
What made the Katmandu reading special was not only that the book had seen me through a mysterious, debilitating illness, but that it had slowed down and leveled out for me, the way it does in the last paragraph. Like Faulkner’s much-quoted statement, “If I had not existed, someone
“Ben’s voice roared and roared. Queenie moved again, her feet began to clop-clop steadily again, and at once Ben hushed. Luster looked quickly back over his shoulder, then he drove on. The broken flower drooped over Ben’s fist and his eyes were empty and blue and serene again as cornice and facade flowed smoothly once more from left to right; post and tree, window and doorway, and signboard, each in its ordered place.”
Approaching the fiction of William Faulkner in my mid-teens, the first “never read anything like this before” moment occurred in the opening pages of
Sanctuary (1931), the novel Faulkner rewrote, “trying to make out of it something which would not shame The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying too much.” Strange enough to begin with a character named Popeye, whose face “had a queer bloodless color, as though seen by electric light; against the sunny silence, in his slanted straw hat and his slightly akimbo arms, he had that vicious depthless quality of stamped tin.” Behind him a bird sang “three bars in monotonous repetition: a sound meaningless and profound out of a suspirant and peaceful following silence which seemed to isolate the spot.” Popeye “appeared to contemplate” the man on the other side of the spring “with two knobs of soft black rubber.”
When I read this passage during my sophomore year in high school, I was having a similar response to the fuguelike cool jazz of Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan, which at first I found vaguely disturbing and within a year was devoted to. With Faulkner, the devotion came later, after the fourth reading of The Sound and the Fury.
Lawrence and Faulkner
D.H. Lawrence was born on September 11, 1885. Faulkner on September 25, 1897. I’ve been wondering what Lawrence would have made of Faulkner had he lived to update Studies in Classic American Literature . While I could find nothing in Faulkner’s letters or biography about Lawrence, and since Lawrence died in 1930, a year after the publication of The Sound and the Fury, I could only imagine that after riffing on Faulkner’s excesses and extremes, Lawrence would have concluded as he does with Whitman, paying tribute to a great poet.
2024 Anniversaries
The Oxford, Miss.-based Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference celebrated its 50th anniversary this July, drawing speakers, panelists and Faulkner aficionados from as far away as France, Japan, and Kazakhstan. The theme of this year’s celebration was anniversaries since 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Faulkner’s first printed book, The Marble Faun , the 75th of Knight’s Gambit, and the 50th of the first authorized biography, Joseph Blotner’s Faulkner. If you go to the Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference website, you’ll see a photograph of a statue of Faulkner seated on a park bench, pipe in hand, gazing out at the town square of Oxford which inspired the closing paragraph of The Sound and the Fury —Stuart Mitchner
PNS empodera a los niños a través de una educación temprana excepcional y servicios familiares de apoyo que sean asequibles para todos
Clases de Arte con el Consejo de las Artes de Princeton
Horas de cuentos con la bibliotecaria infantil de la Biblioteca Pública de Princeton
PNS empodera a los niños a t a educación t y servicios familiares d e sean asequib DESDE 1929
Horas de cuentos con la bibliotecaria infantil de la Biblioteca Pública de Princeton
PNS empodera a los niños a través de una educación temprana excepcional y servicios familiares de apoyo que sean asequibles para todos
DESDE 1929 78 Leigh Avenue Princeton, NJ 08542 (609) 921-8606 princetonnurseryschool org enrollment@princetonurseryschool org ¡CONTÁCTENOS! ¡ESCANEA PARA APRENDER MÀS! CLASIFICACIÓN PARA NIÑOS DE CRECE NJ
Excursiones a pie locales de Princeton y excursiones atractivas.
Clases de cocina bilingües con Chef de la casa
PROGRAMA DE TODO EL AÑO
LUNES - VIERNES 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
¡BECASDE MATRICULA DISPONIBLE!
Clases de Música Bilingües con el Currículo de Música Juntos con Español
¡BECASDE MATRICULA DISPONIBLE!
PNS empodera a los niños a través de una educación temprana excepcional y servicios familiares de apoyo que sean asequibles para todos
Clases de Arte con el Consejo de las Artes de Princeton
Horas de cuentos con la bibliotecaria infantil de la Biblioteca Pública de Princeton
Excursiones a pie locales de Princeton y
Town Topics Education and Recreation
Town Topics
strength in your child
“The Anxious Generation” Seminar
Are you concerned about the rising levels of anxiety, stress, and mental health challenges among today’s youth?
Are you concerned about the rising levels of anxiety, stress, and mental health challenges among today’s youth?
Join us for an insightful workshop exploring Jonathan Haidt's groundbreaking book, “The Anxious Generation”
Are you concerned about the rising levels of anxiety, stress, and mental health challenges among today’s youth?
Join us for an insightful workshop exploring Jonathan Haidt's groundbreaking book, “The Anxious Generation”
Join us for an insightful workshop exploring Jonathan Haidt's groundbreaking book, “The Anxious Generation”.
October 16th, 2024
3:30pm - 5pm
October 16th, 2024
100 Straube Center Blvd Pennington, NJ 08534
October 16th, 2024
3:30pm - 5pm
3:30pm - 5pm
KEY TAKEAWAYS
100 Straube Center Blvd Pennington, NJ 08534
100 Straube Center Blvd Pennington, NJ 08534
The root causes of increasing anxiety in teens and young adults
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The role of social media, overprotection, and societal expectations
The root causes of increasing anxiety in teens and young adults
The role of social media, overprotection, and societal expectations
How to foster resilience and emotional strength in your
The root causes of increasing anxiety in teens and young adults
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
The role of social media, overprotection, and societal expectations
How to foster resilience and emotional strength in your child
How to foster resilience and emotional strength in
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! THECAMBRIDGESCHOOL ORG
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
We cannot wait to meet your son!
Looking for the best K-8 school experience for your son?
Visit Princeton Academy at an Admission Open House on Thursday, 10/17, at 6:30pm, or on Sunday, 11/10, at 1:00pm!
– Register today!
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart is an independent school for boys in kindergarten through eigth grade. Our mission is to develop young men with active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs.
#HeCanBe
KBig-City TV Meteorologist is Trapped in a Small Town in “Groundhog Day”; Musical Adaptation of the Film Opens Kelsey’s “Season of Transformations”
elsey Theatre is presenting Groundhog Day. Adapted from the 1993 fantasy romantic comedy film starring Bill Murray, the musical portrays a big-city TV meteorologist who finds himself forced to relive the same day, apparently in perpetuity, in a small town that to him is gratingly good-natured.
Groundhog Day opens Kelsey’s “Season of Transformations,” which will include revivals of Jekyll & Hyde, Beauty and the Beast, and 1776. A brochure promises, “Transformations abound in this season — from the transformation of man into monster, and beast into prince, to the transformation of the colonies into the United States of America!”
The book of Groundhog Day is by Danny Rubin, co-writer (with the late Harold Ramis) of the film’s screenplay. The music and lyrics are by actor, composer, and writer Tim Minchin (who also wrote the score for Matilda the Musical). Groundhog Day premiered in London in 2016, and played on Broadway the following year.
Frank Ferrara directs Kelsey’s production, assisted by Jennifer Boutros. In tandem with a capable creative team, the talented and enthusiastic cast makes the most of the musical’s strengths, delivering performances that make the characters’ conflicting personalities entertaining to watch.
Shannon Ferrara capably conducts an orchestra that combines acoustic and electric instruments. This mixture is introduced in a brief overture (dubbed “Phanphare for the Common Groundhog” in the program). A percussion riff, and an ostinato by the bass instruments, give way to flourishes (pushing the trumpets near the top of their range) that would not be out of place in a 1960s spy movie. This is followed by a broader, majestic melody by the guitars. The overall effect evinces a sense of hectic bustle, perhaps of a city reporter’s life.
In an apt acknowledgement both of the protagonist’s career and the show’s basis in a film, Groundhog Day opens with the use of multimedia. Via projected footage we see meteorologist Phil Connors (portrayed by John Fischer) delivering a segment. Several takes are required because of Connors’ condescending, sarcastic quips. Before any major action has taking place, we see him forced to endure repetition
The cause of Phil’s mood is his immediately forthcoming assignment (which he considers to be beneath him): to travel to Punxsutawney, Pa., to cover the annual Groundhog Day ceremony. In Punxsutawney, the residents eagerly hope that the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, will not see his shadow, and that spring is imminent.
In sharp contrast to the polyphony of the overture, the opening number “There Will Be Sun” — performed by the affable townspeople — is gentle and anthemic. The vocal ensemble is lovely here; this is partially a
credit to Musical Director Michael Gilch (assisted by Ferrara).
Phil’s trip to the town is charmingly conveyed via a miniature remote control bus (props are by Nancy Russel). Scenic Designer Shawn Simmons and Lighting Designer Vicki Kaiser create an attractive look for the town, with a charming garden replete with lamppost to the right. The script requires characters to be seen driving, which is handled effectively.
As Phil’s first morning in the town begins, he is awakened by an alarm clock — a sound that will become a motif. Sound Designer Noah Schwartz capably handles this and other effects throughout the show. However, throughout the performance (September 21) attended by this writer, there was a technical issue with actors’ microphones not always amplifying them as soon as they start delivering lines, causing some balance issues.
At the broadcast during the ceremony — at which a groundhog mascot (Rebecca Ticas) is ever-present — Phil is characteristically rude to everybody. This includes Larry (Nicholas Kianka), Phil’s patient cameraman; Rita Hansen (Joan Schubin), the long-suffering news producer; Mrs. Lancaster (Denise Carey), the gracious innkeeper of the Cherry Street Inn, where he is staying; and the (almost too) affable Ned Ryerson (Aidan Stallworth-Glitz), Phil’s classmate who now is an insurance broker living in the town.
Phil’s hopes of immediately leaving the town are dashed when the Sheriff (Lynn Baskin), accompanied by a Deputy (Jenna “Jay” Moschella), announces that — contrary to the citizens’ hopeful optimism —
snowstorms are necessitating the surrounding roads to be closed. Phil is trapped where he least wanted to be.
In these early scenes, Ferrara and Choreographer Haley Schmalbach astutely keep Phil outside of the ensemble of townspeople, as he resists any immersion in the community.
As in the film, Phil awakens the next morning (and the numerous subsequent mornings after that) to discover that the day has not changed; he is forced to relive February 2 in a time loop, apparently never to leave Punxsutawney.
This is conveyed in a sequence of numbers titled, “Day One,” “Day Two,” and “Day Three.” Lines and events are repeated verbatim. These sequences start to progress from amusing to overlong. Rubin and Minchin could have paid greater attention to pacing, progressively and more consistently abridging repeated events.
Fischer convincingly portrays Phil’s progression of reactions to his plight, from disbelief and irritation, to despair at being “stuck.” In an amusing ensemble number we see him being advised by a Healer (Shawn Simmons); a Naturopath (Jordyn Sava); a Psychiatric Pharmacologist (Pat Rounds); a Scientologist (Amanda Santos); an AA Person (Rebecca Ticas); and a Priest (Alan Naidoff).
Instead of the remedies prescribed by this group, Phil drinks with two of the townspeople, Gus (Kevin Palardy) and Ralph (Michael Gearty). Phil starts to find his situation liberating rather than limiting, though initially the ways in which he takes advantage of it are scarcely responsible, safe, or commendable.
“GROUNDHOG DAY”: Performances are underway for “Groundhog Day.” Presented by Kelsey Theatre and Playful Theatre Productions, and directed by Frank Ferrara, the musical runs through September 29 at Kelsey Theatre. Above: Condescending and aloof TV meteorologist Phil Connors (John Fischer, front row, fifth from left) finds himself trapped in a small town whose residents are, for him, gratingly cheerful and enthused about the titular celebration.
“Groundhog Day” will play at the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, through September 29. For tickets, show times, and further information call (609) 570-3333 or visit kelsey. mccc.edu/shows_current.shtml.
Phil’s progression is bookended by two numbers, cleverly titled “Philandering” and “Philanthropy.”
Costume Design Coordinator Shannon Ferrara facilitates a visual depiction of Phil’s development. When we first see him he is formally dressed, with a necktie carefully in place. As he undergoes his journey, his appearance correspondingly changes (often appearing disheveled).
Phil’s less savory uses of his newfound time include attempting to trick a local woman, Nancy Taylor (Trinity Anjelic), into thinking that she and Phil are former classmates, so that he can seduce her. At the beginning of the second act, Nancy sings “Playing Nancy,” in which she contemplates her place in the world, and her relationships with men.
A pleasing mezzo-soprano who knows how to infuse a song with strong, impassioned phrasing, Anjelic admirably delivers “Playing Nancy.” Unfortunately, without more development for Nancy outside of it — seeing her interact with other characters more than she does — the song feels a bit like it exists for its own sake.
Another song that is somewhat symptomatic of a loosening of focus in Act Two is “Night Will Come,” which is ably delivered by Stallworth-Glitz. The poignant number is a vehicle for Ned to comment on the action, following a sad plot development. The effort to give a voice to the other characters is laudable, though what would be more effective here is a song for Phil that conveys the event’s effect on his character.
A versatile baritone, Fischer makes Phil’s solo “Everything About You” — a tender, gently wry ballad that describes his repeated, trial-by-error efforts to learn more about Rita and get closer to her — a standout.
Schubin is similarly strong in Rita’s lilting, world-weary “One Day.” Fischer and Schubin sing well together in the contemplative but restless “If I Had My Time Again.”
The cast is ably rounded out (with several actors playing multiple roles) by Tom Bessellieu; Jessica Casner; Alex Dubinsky; Chrissy Johnson; Cara Pergament; Jeffrey Scharf; Christopher Schmalbach; Dance Captain Emily O’Sullivan; and ensemble members Aaron Ferrara (a sixth grader) and Mina Schneider.
There are places in which the writing of Groundhog Day could be stronger. But as Kelsey Theatre’s entertaining production demonstrates, the show’s strongest segments — particularly those involving Phil’s pursuit of Rita, and his efforts to transform his relationship with her from adversarial to romantic — have potential to audibly amuse and charm its audience.
Intheater, the addition of production elements — especially lively performances — to a script and score is the ultimate transformation.
—Donald H. Sanborn III
(Photo by John M. Maurer)
Performing Arts
Bravura Philharmonic Plays
At Princeton Alliance Church
Pianist Kairy Koshoeva is the soloist in the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra’s first concert of the season on Sunday, September 29 at 7 p.m. at Princeton Alliance Church. 20 Schalks Crossing Road in Plainsboro.
The orchestra’s music director Chiu-Tze Lin conducts the concert, which includes Koshoeva performing the Rachamaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. Koshoeva is on the faculty of the New School for Music Study in Kingston, and frequently collaborates as a guest artist for the Department of Music at Princeton University.
Among the awards she has won are the International Piano Competition in Vicenza, Italy; the N. Rubinstein Competition in Paris; the gold medal at the 2004 Rachmaninoff Awards in Moscow; and first prize at the Chautauqua Music Festival concerto competition in Chautauqua, N.Y. She has played internationally as well across the U.S. Her
performances included appearing as a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony and at the Chautauqua Music Festival, as well as with the National Symphony of Kyrgyzstan and orchestras in Houston and Jefferson City. She has also performed with the Moscow chamber orchestra “Cantus Firmus.”
Koshoeva was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Kyrgyzstan. The Royal Academy of Music has honored her as a Teacher of Distinction in Carnegie Hall. Most recently she won First Prize at the 2020 “Musica Classica “International Competition in Moscow, Russia.
Lewis Center Announces Resident Choreographers
The Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Dance at Princeton University announces Rennie Harris, Matthew Neenan, and Yue Yin as Caroline Hearst Choreographers-in-Residence for the 2024-2025 academic year: As guest artists, all three are creating new works or teaching repertory works that will be performed at the Princeton Dance Festival in November.
students, faculty, and staff to engage with diverse creative practices. The artists share their work and processes with the Princeton community through workshops, conversations, residencies, open rehearsals, and performances.
Also on the program at this concert, which is geared to all ages, are The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas, and Mississippi Suite by Ferde Grofe.
Tickets are $30 ($25 for students and seniors) at the door. Premium seating is available at $50. Discounted advance tickets are $20 (except premium) at
Launched in 2017, the Caroline Hearst Choreographers-in-Residence Program fosters the Program in Dance’s connections with the dance field. It provides selected professional choreographers with resources and a rich environment to develop their work and offers opportunities for
Harris toured with the Fresh Festival 1984, the first national hip-hop tour in the U.S. In addition, he has performed and worked with artists such as Run DMC, Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow, Salt N Peppa, LL Cool J, Brandy, Madonna, Boys to Men, Will Smith, The Roots, and Raekwon The Chef (Wutang Klan), among others. However, Harris is most known for bringing social dances to the concert stage and coining the term “Street Dance Theater.” Harris has broken new ground as one of the first hip-hop choreographers to set works on ballet-based companies such as Ballet Memphis, Colorado Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), Giordano Dance Chicago, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and others. He is the first street dancer to be commissioned
to create an evening-length work on Alvin Ailey American Theater and to serve as a resident artist at the Alvin Ailey school for dance.
Neenan began his dance training at the Boston Ballet School and with noted teachers Jacqueline Cronsberg and Nan Keating. He later attended LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and the School of American Ballet in New York City. Neenan performed with Pennsylvania Ballet (now Philadelphia Ballet) from 1994-2007 where he danced numerous principal roles in the Balanchine and contemporary repertoire. He was also the Ballet’s resident choreographer from 2007 to 2020, where he created 20 ballets. In 2006, Neenan co-founded BalletX with Christine Cox. He has created world premieres for the New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Ballet West, Nashville Ballet, BodyTraffic, U.S.C. Kaufman School of Dance, and The Juilliard School, among several other companies and institutions.
Yin is a choreographer, founder, and artistic director of YY Dance Company, and the creator of the trademarked FoCo Technique. She began her training in Chinese classical and folk dance in China at the
Shanghai Dance Academy and completed her M.F.A. in dance at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2008. In 2018, Yin founded her non profit, contemporary dance company dedicated to the teaching, production and performance of her original choreographic work. Her signature FoCo Technique fuses elements of Chinese classical dance, folk forms, ballet, and contemporary vocabulary. She has been commissioned by Gibney Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, Oregon Ballet Theater, BalletMet, Boston Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Limon Dance Company, Alberta Ballet, Balletto Teatro di Torino, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, The Juilliard School, U.S.C. Kaufman School of Dance, Tisch School of the Arts, Rutgers University, Point Park University, and West Michigan University, among others.
September 26,
Ken Cowan in Concert
Photo by: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
Kairy Koshoeva
Matthew Neenan
(Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)
LIVELY RHYTHMS: Indigenous People’s Day will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24 at 3 p.m. with a performance of Polynesian dance to music of the ukulele, at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. This event is supported by Friends of the Lawrence Library. Register in advance at mcl.org.
Chris Botti and Friends Perform Jazz Classics
On Saturday, October 12 at 8 p.m., trumpeter Chris Botti will appear at the State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue. Botti performs with a group of renowned fellow musicians including violinist Joshua Bell and Israeli guitarist Gilad Hekselman. Tickets range from $29-$69.
cades, Botti has collaborated with Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, YoYo Ma, and others. He has topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned
multiple Gold and Platinum records, and performed with symphony orchestras and on stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House.
of my band, and these jazz classics that we always love playing on stage.”
In addition to Hekselman and Bell, Botti will be joined by Uruguayan-born guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, pianist Estaban Castro, and singer/ songwriter John Splithoff. Visit Stnj.org for tickets.
With his Blue Note Records debut, Botti is in many ways making a fresh start. Having successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom, his first album Chamber Music Concerts
Princeton Symphony has announced the opening of its four-concert chamat Trinity Church. The first event is on Thursday October 10 at 7 p.m., featuring music composed for piano trio. Players are violinist Emma Richman, cellist Wangshu Xiang, and
RAPT AUDIENCE: Young listeners and their families are the focus of “CMS
Travels,” a special program taking place in the Lee Rehearsal Room of
on Saturday, October 19 at 1 and 3 p.m.
Additional concerts showcase a rare instrument of the viol family, a string trio, and string quartet, successively. General admission tickets are $45 per person, per concert with a 50 percent discount for children 5-17.
“Thanks to ideal acoustics and an intimate setting, performances at Trinity Church have become favorite fixtures on our Princeton Festival calendar,” said PSO Executive D irector Marc Uys. “I am thrilled to now extend our treasured partnership with Trinity throughout our season with a new series specially curated for this beautiful space.”
The remaining three concerts on the series are the Valencia Baryton Project on February 22, 2025; the Black Oak Ensemble on March 20; and the Signum Quartet on May 1. Trinity Church is at 33 Mercer Street. Visit princetonsymphony.org.
Chamber Music Society Hosts Family Program
Princeton University Concerts welcomes back the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) for the first family program of the season on Saturday, October 19 at 1 and 3 p.m.
Rami Vamos hosts these events in the Lee Rehearsal Room of the Lewis Arts Complex. “CMS Kids: Tuneful Travels” is curated for kids ages 3-6 and their families. Vamos and the professional musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will guide audiences through a
magical journey where music for piano, violin, and bassoon becomes an expression of joy and movement.
The concert is adapted for neurodiverse audiences, including children with autism and other special needs. The performance is less formal than traditional concerts and more supportive of sensory, communication, movement, and learning needs.
“PUC has always been committed to accessibility,” said Marna Seltzer, PUC director. “We are happy to continue this commitment through relaxed format CMS Kids concerts. Past CMS Kids performances have been joyous afternoons of music and imagination, and Rami Vamos immediately connected with our young audiences. We are so happy to have Rami and the musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center back by popular demand with a new relaxed format, family-friendly program.”
Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults. Visit puc. princeton.edu or call (609) 258-9220.
Roxey Ballet Celebrates Breast Cancer Survivors
On October 4-6 and 25-27, Roxey Ballet presents “The C Word,” a celebration in dance, music, and spoken word of the strength and resilience of breast cancer survivors. The performances, which are in person and virtual, take place at Mill Ballet, 46 North Sugan Road, New Hope, Pa.
Choreographed by Mark Roxey, the multimedia production tells the personal stories of women who have overcome breast cancer. Funded by a grant from New Music USA, it is a tribute to the human spirit. Roxey has collaborated with composers Robert Maggio and Matthew Hardy to bring these stories to life. The piece was previously performed to sold-out houses in 2017 and 2019. The latest production incorporates fresh stories and partnerships with local organizations, providing workshops and support beyond the stage.
Shows are October 4, 5, 25, and 26 at 7 p.m.; and October 6 and 27 at 2 p.m. Visit roxeyballet.org for tickets.
MAN WITH A HORN: Chris Botti, Grammy-winning trumpeter, comes to State Theatre New Jersey on October 12 at 8 p.m.
AN ALL-NEW SERIES: The Signum Quartet are among the ensembles taking part in the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s four-concert chamber series this season at Trinity Church. (Photo by Irene Zandel)
Kids: Tuneful
the Lewis Arts Complex
Two Fall Solo Exhibitions At Contemporary Art Center
The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster has announced two fall solo exhibitions on view September 27 through December 8. The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., and is free and open to the public.
“Angela Pilgrim: New Growth” presents the work of Angela Pilgrim, whose studio is in Newark. She said, “My work explores the Black female gaze through figurative imagery of the
opening reception is on September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. body. Utilizing portraiture, printmaking, pattern making and mixed media, I investigate themes of beauty, spirituality and reflection. By creating visual stories that invoke critical thinking processes regarding interiority, my work aims to reverse and rebuild how Black women see themselves, both within their communities and expanded to a much larger world view.” Pilgrim’s art has been featured in publications including The Creative Independent and The Getty
Archives. Her contributions to the art world extend beyond print, as she has also been actively engaged in guest residencies and lectures across the nation. Her work is held in both public and private collections both nationally and internationally, including the Newark Public Library, Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pilgrim chairs the art and graphic design departments at Warren County College.
Saturday, October 26, 7 p.m.
Come for the cocktails, stay for the food stations, and dance the night away with DJ Bonics.
“Barbara Wallace: Sculpture” showcases the work of sculptor Barbara Wallace. Wallace, who resides in Elizabeth, is a sculptor known for her figurative art works and innovative use of recycled materials. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Pratt Institute and Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania. Wallace is an adjunct professor at Passaic County Community College and adjunct distinguished professor at Kean University. Wallace is a previous Union County Honoree in the Arts for Women’s History Month, awarded by the N.J. Senate and General Assembly. She said, “Shape, form and structure are essential aspects of my sculptures created with a paper mache technique in recycled paper, cardboard, wire, metal and acrylic paint. The concept for each sculpture relies on individual forms that come together to create a unified geometrically shaped structure such as a circle or rectangle…. Using up-cycled resources addresses my concerns about climate change and the environment. We have, it seems, enough materials now in existence to create, to express our points of view.”
The Center for Contemporary Art is located at 2020 Burnt Mills Road in Bedminster. For more information, call (908) 234-2345 or visit ccabedminster.org.
“Reciprocal Inspiration” Exhibit Coming to Gourgaud Gallery
The Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury will present “Reciprocal Inspiration and a Cranbury School Legacy: Elizabeth Grimaldi and Elaina Phillips” October 2 through October 30.
In the exhibition, Elizabeth Grimaldi, a retired Cranbury School teacher and administrator, will exhibit her original paintings. Additionally, works by Elaina Philips, her former student, will be on display.
A friendship that later transcended the classroom began when Grimaldi sponsored Phillips to enter her work in a prestigious national creative writing contest in 2016. Phillips won, and both were invited to Carnegie Hall to be honored.
This exhibit speaks to the reciprocal nature of inspiration in the life of an artist. Their shared passion for painting will be represented
in word and image in a show that will also celebrate the beauty of the created world.
Grimaldi’s work captures some of her most treasured destinations while traveling the U.S.. Phillips is currently a freelance artist, studying painting and drawing at Mason Gross School of the Arts. Select original works, and some prints, will be for sale.
The artists will meet with visitors at a reception on October 6 from 1-3 p.m. Refreshments and small bites will be available.
As part of a nonprofit Cranbury Arts Council, the Gourgaud Gallery donates 20 percent of art sales to the Cranbury Arts Council and it’s programs that support the arts in the community. Cash or a check made out to the Artist is accepted as payment.
Gourgaud Gallery is located in Town Hall, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, visit cranburyartscouncil.org.
Sculptor Campbell’s Studio On Hopewell Tour des Arts
During the 17th Annual Hopewell Tour des Arts on September 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and September 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 60 local artists will open their studio doors to the public. Among stops on this year’s tour is the studio of sculptor Don Campbell.
Nestled in the heart of Hopewell, Campbell’s barn studio offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of narrative sculpture. Campbell, a master storyteller in clay, is known for his ability to capture
emotion, form, and narrative in his absract, portrait, and figurative works. His pieces, deeply inspired by the realms of consciousness and nature, invite viewers to engage with the unfolding stories embedded within each sculpture.
This year, Campbell’s studio is not just a destination for his works, but also a gathering point for three other distinguished artists — Sumi Chatterjee, Yun Li, and Karen Tuveson.
An artist whose journey of healing led her to art, Chatterjee’s monochromatic works draw inspiration from her travels and personal experiences. Her pieces, influenced by the stark beauty of Norway’s landscapes, explore the subtle nuances of nature.
A realism painter inspired by old masters such as Rembrandt and Sargent, Li’s works capture the essence of her subjects with meticulous detail. From human portraits to landscapes, her art reflects a deep understanding of truth and beauty.
Tuveson’s artwork is inspired by the rhythms and colors of nature. Her larger canvases capture Mother Nature’s simple moments of wonder, while her work with various mediums explores the relationship between humanity and the environment.
Campbell’s studio is located at 106 Aunt Molly Road, Foxbrook Farm, Hopewell. The Tour des Arts is presented by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council and is free. For more information and a list of all participants , visit hopewelltourdesarts.com.
“LAVENDER HORIZON”: This work by Elizabeth Grimaldi is featured in “Reciprocal Inspiration and a Cranbury School Legacy: Elizabeth Grimaldi and Elaina Phillips,” on view October 2 through October 30 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury
OPEN STUDIO: Sculptor Don Campbell is among the local artists who will open their studio doors to the public for the 17th Annual Hopewell Tour des Arts on September 28 and 29.
FALL EXHIBITIONS: Solo exhibitions by Angela Pilgrim, whose work is shown at left, and Barbara Wallace, right. will be on view at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster September 27 through December 8. An
Get the scoop from
NJ Senior Art Show
At Meadow Lakes
The 2024 New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show opens on Saturday, October 5 at Meadow Lakes Senior Living, 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, and will remain on display and open to the public through Wednesday, October 30. This is the 58th annual State Senior Citizen Art Show, and features more than 250 works of art by artists over the age of 60, representing 20 of the state’s 21 counties.
The work — by both professional and non-professional artists in 11 categories (acrylic, craft, digital arts, mixed media, oil, pastels, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper) — will be reviewed by a three-person panel of professional artists. After careful review, the judges will select first, second, and third place winners and honorable mentions in each category.
“Mercer County is proud to continue our role as hosts to the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “It’s always incredible to see the talent on display from seniors all cross the Garden State.”
This annual exhibit, a cosponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Mercer County’s Division of Culture & Heritage, caps a year of local Senior Citizen Art Shows held throughout the state. Artwork on display at this show represents the firstplace winners from every participating County. Artists will receive their awards at a Closing Reception and
Awards Ceremony later this fall.
“The State Arts Council is grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage to showcase the remarkable creativity of New Jersey’s mature artists,” said Stephanie Nerbak, artist services manager at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. “This project is an annual highlight for the Arts Council and a perfect example of the importance of arts engagement for everyone and every age.”
Hours for viewing the exhibit are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p m. Groups of six or more are asked to contact Meadow Lakes at (609) 448-4100 ahead of time. For more information, visit NJSeniorArts.com or contact the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage at (609) 278-2712 or LTramo@ mercercounty.org.
The New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show is a project of the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission, the Board of Commissioners, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Area Exhibits
Art@Bainbridge, 158 Nassau Street, has “Heléne Aylon: Undercurrent” through February 2. Artmuseum. princeton.edu.
Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Progressions” through October 6. Gallery hours are Thursday
through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com.
Art on Hulfish, 11 Hulfish Street, has “Under a Southern Star: Identity and Environment in Australian Photography” through January 5. Artmuseum.princeton.edu.
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Intersecting Identities” through September 28. Artscouncilof princeton.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.
Dohm Alley, next to 100 Nassau Street, has the Princeton Einstein Museum’s “Einstein’s “Attraction to Magnetism,” open 24/7 through November 30. princeton einsteinmuseum.org.
Ficus Bon Vivant, 235 Nassau Street, has “Capture the Rhythm” through January 12. Ficusbv.com.
Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, has its Members’ Exhibition through September 29. Galler14.org.
Gourgaud Gallery, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, has “Visions” through September 27. Cranburyartscouncil.org.
Green Building Center, 67 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has an art show by the MUGA Group through December 31. Greenbuildingcenter.com.
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
Morpeth Contemporary, 43 West Broad Street, Hopewell, has “Robert Beck: Here and Now” through October 6. Morpeth contemporary.com.
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 “Raise the Roof: Contemporary Barnscapes” through October 6. Newhopearts.org.
Phillips’ Mill, 2619 River Road, New Hope, Pa., has “95th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill” through October 27. Phillipsmill.org.
Present Day Club, 72 Stockton Street, has “Pastel Perspectives: An Exploration of the Sourlands Mountain Region, open to the public on Fridays through October 4. Exhibit hours are 12 to 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has “The Rural Painter” through October 1. Works by Aiden Pesnell and Samantha Renda are at the 254 Nassau Street location through October 1. Smallworldcoffee.com.
After
Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, has “Ellarslie Open 41” through October 6. Ellarslie.org.
West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “Art Alliance of Monmouth County Invitational Show ” through November 2. Westwindsorarts.org.
Mark Your Calendar
SEPTEMBER
TOWN TOPICS
Wednesday, September 25
10 a.m.: Sean Wilentz lectures on “Lafayette and the Politics of Division” at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street. Lafayette200.org.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Princeton University Farmers Market, Firestone Library/ Chapel Plaza. Fresh, locally grown produce and other goods from area businesses using sustainable practices. Pumarket@princeton.edu
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 Art@ Bainbridge/Garden Theatre, 158 Nassau Street. All are welcome.
6:30 p.m.: Princeton Tech Meetup: The Innerworkings of Cybersecurity, at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Jon Lilly offers practical tips. Princetonlibrary.org.
7 p.m.: Screening of the documentary A Pianist from Syria at the Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street. The film follows members of the Silk Road Ensemble; presented in conjunction with Princeton University Concerts’ “Healing with Music” event. Puc.princeton.edu.
Thursday, September 26
10 a.m.-3 p.m .: Princeton Farmers Market is at Hinds Plaza. More than 30 vendors with local organic produce, pasture-raised meat and eggs, cheeses, fresh flowers, knife-sharpening, jewelry, and more. Live music. SNAP/EBT cards and matches accepted up to $10 a day. Princetonfarmersmarket.com.
10 a.m .: Princeton History Walks: Hidden Princeton. Princeton Public Library librarians lead a walk highlighting forgotten aspects of Princeton’s history. Meet in the lobby, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.
11 a.m.-7 p.m .: Knights of Columbus Hopewell Council 7103 holds the 15th annual Tony Muscente Memorial Golf Outing at Heron Glen Golf Course, Ringoes. (609) 954-1053.
1-4 p.m .: Special early admission to the Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale, at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Avenue. Free for members; $5 public; $20 patrons with scanners. Mcl.org.
5-8 p.m .: Twilight Samba Fitness at The Meadows at Lawrence, 2 Morris Hall Circle, Lawrence Township.
Dance-inspired fitness, music, food, smoothies, and live petting zoo. Rain date is October 3. To RSVP, email dconroy@ lawrencerehab.com.
6 p.m .: Author Ismar Volic presents his new book Making Democracy Count in conversation with Princeton University’s Sam Wang, at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.
7 p.m .: Choral Evensong at All Saints’ Church, 16 All Saints’ Road. With members of Aura Polyphonica, New Jersey’s Renaissance Collegium. Music by Sarah Macdonald, Charles Wood, C.V. Stanford, and Jean Langlais; led by organist and concertmaster Kevin O’Malia. Light reception follows; freewill offering benefits Arm in Arm Collective.
7:30 p.m .: Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and visual artist Kevork Mourad present Home Within , the first event of Princeton University Concerts’ 2024-25 season, at Richardson Auditorium, depicting specific moments in Syria’s recent history. $25 ($10 students). Puc.princeton.edu.
Friday, September 27
7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The New Jersey Conference on Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion and Accessibility, at ETS, 660 Rosedale Road. Presented by the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber. Speakers and breakout sessions. Princetonmercer.org.
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m .: Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale, at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Avenue. Free. Mcl.org.
10 a.m.-4 p.m .: Quilt show at Prallsville Mill, Stockton. “Confetti of Color” is presented by Courthouse Quilters. A display of more than 200 quilts, vendor marketplace, boutique, mini-quilt raffles, and raffle quilt. Special presentations, fashion show, book-signing, talks, and more. $12. Info@ courthousequilters.org
4:30 p.m .: Princeton University Professor Robert Spoo lectures on “James Joyce’s Ulysses in New York: A Counterfactual View from Fifth Avenue,” at James Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau Street. Presented by the Fund for Irish Studies. Free.
8 p.m .: Groundhog Day the Musical is at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $30. Kelseytheatre.org.
Saturday, September 28
9 a.m.-1 p.m.: West Windsor Farmers Market at Vaughn lot, Princeton Junction train station. Fresh produce and much more. Wwcfm.org.
10 a.m.-3 p.m .: Princeton Green House Tours at sustainable houses in town; sponsored by the Princeton Environmental Commission and Sustainable Princeton. Free but space is limited. Princetongreenhousetour. my.canva.site.
10 a.m.-5 p.m .: Hopewell Tour Des Arts. Local artists’ studio and pop-up art spaces are open to the public. Work from more than 60 artists in the Hopewell area. Free. Hvartscouncil.org.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Fall Family Fun Weekend at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Pick your own apples and pumpkins, go on pony rides, play with tractors, games, mazes, barnyard, and much more. Food and live music by Tom Church raw magic band. $18 in advance; $22 day of the event. Terhuneorchards.com.
10 a.m .: Join a three-mile walk along the D&R Canal. Meet at Turning Basin Park on Alexander Street. To be notified of cancellations due to weather, visit canalwalkers@googlegroups.com.
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m .: Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale, at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Avenue. Free. Mcl.org.
food trucks, craft vendors, kids’ activities, and more. Ywcaprinceton.org.
12-5 p.m .: Unruly Sounds Music Festival at Hinds Plaza. Music by local composers that showcases local bands and musicians and features rising talents in the Princeton University graduate composition program. Princetonlibrary.org.
2 and 8 p.m .: Groundhog Day the Musical is at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $30. Kelseytheatre.org.
7 p.m .: The New Jersey Festival Orchestra performs at Monroe Township High School Performing Arts Center, 200 Schoolhouse Road, Monroe Township. Donald Wroe conducts works by Tan Dun and Mussorgsky. $25. Monroetownshipculturalarts.com.
7:30 p.m .: Ballet Hispanico performs at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. McCarter.org.
Sunday, September 29
8:30 a.m.: Fall bird migration walk at Cedar Ridge Preserve, Hopewell Township. Presented by D&R Greenway Land Trust. $10. Drgreenway.org.
10 a.m.-4 p.m .: Quilt show at Prallsville Mill, Stockton. “Confetti of Color” is presented by Courthouse Quilters. A display of more than 200 quilts, vendor marketplace, boutique, mini-quilt raffles, and raffle quilt. Special presentations, fashion show, book-signing, talks, and more. $12. Info@ courthousequilters.org
10 a.m.-4 p.m .: Quilt show at Prallsville Mills, Stockton. “Confetti of Color” is presented by Courthouse Quilters. A display of more than 200 quilts, vendor marketplace, boutique, mini-quilt raffles, and raffle quilt. Special presentations, fashion show, book-signing, talks, and more. $12. Info@ courthousequilters.org
11 a.m.-4 p.m .: YWCA Princeton’s Crafts & Cultures Festival, 59 Paul Robeson Place. Music and dance performances,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Fall Family Fun Weekend at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Pick your own apples and pumpkins, go on pony rides, play with tractors, games, mazes, barnyard, and much more. Food and live music by Raritan Valley Ramblers. $18 in advance; $22 day of the event. Terhuneorchards.com.
11 a.m.-4 p.m .: Hopewell Tour Des Arts. Local artists’ studio and pop-up art spaces are open to the public. Work from more than 60 artists in the Hopewell area. Free. Hvartscouncil.org.
11 a.m.-12 p.m .: Fall watercolor workshop at Homestead Princeton, 300 Witherspoon Street. With Kristin Bauer. Create your own watercolor note card and set. $25. (609) 688-0777.
12:30-4:30 p.m.: Friends of the Lawrence Library Book Sale, at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Avenue. $5 a bag. Mcl.org.
2 p.m .: Groundhog Day the Musical is at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $30. Kelseytheatre.org.
S ports
PU Football Plagued by Some Sloppy Play in Opener as It Falls at Lehigh, Aiming to be Sharper Against Howard
Opening its 2024 season last Saturday by facing a rugged Lehigh squad that already had three games under its belt, the Princeton University football team got off to a rough start.
Princeton trailed 21-7 at halftime, getting outscored 14-0 in the second quarter as it struggled on both sides of the ball.
As Princeton headed into intermission, Tiger head coach Bob Surace acknowledged that his squad was plagued by some opening day glitches.
“They got us on some deep routes, we had to be more consistent,” said Surace. “We had opportunities. We had a really long punt return. We had a fourth and short and didn’t get the first down. We went back and forth. We had some issues in the punt game, some crazy things that sometimes happen in the first game. We haven’t had a bad long snap all camp and we had back to back issues with that. We were out of the gap on one play. We took a bad angle on another and they hit us for two big plays.”
Princeton responded by starting the third quarter with a big 11-play, 79-yard scoring march to narrow the gap to 21-14 on a diving 36yard touchdown reception by senior star Luke Colella. After Lehigh extended its lead to 28-14, the Tigers drew within 28-20 as Tyler Picinic alertly gathered in a pass that ricocheted off of Tamatoa Falatea for a threeyard TD grab with 9:53 left
in the fourth quarter. But that was as close as Princeton got as Lehigh answered with a 34-yard scoring jaunt by Jaden Green to go up 35-20 to end the scoring on the day before a crowd of 6,217 at Goodman Stadium in Bethlehem, Pa.
For Surace, the setback proved to be an unfortunate case of déjà vu from a previous loss to the Mountain Hawks.
“The game had a weird flow, 2016 was almost the exact same scenario; we lost by two scores, it ended up being 42-28,” said Surace. “There were a lot of explosive plays on both sides. We just weren’t efficient that day on offense, we made some mistakes. We gave up some big plays on defense.”
Standout receiver Colella made some big plays, ending up with fi ve catches for 86 yards and his highlight TD, which was later chosen as the top play of the day on ESPN’s College Football Final.
“Literally two plays before that, he broke free on a deep route and we missed him by a foot, the pressure rushed the throw,” said Surace. “We ran another play and then came back with another deep one. On this one, he had maybe a stride but the ball had to be perfect, the catch was one-handed. The other one he was open by five yards and he could have walked in. He had another catch on the sidelines that was toe-tapped.”
Surace saw progress from his squad as it went from the first half to the second.
“The two things about
Lehigh this season — one, they did not give up big plays and we had a bunch of big plays and a couple of others that we just missed,” said Surace. “We are going to hit those as they year goes on. Seven times we were in the clear on deep throws and we were 3-for-7 on those. The average is you are usually 5 1/2 to 6 on that so we will get better on that. The other thing is they have protected their quarterbacks really well and when we got them in third downs, we had three sacks. I think they had given up two sacks before our game. There were some real encouraging things.”
Junior quarterback Blaine Hipa produced some encouraging moments in his first start, connecting on 16 of 38 passes for 219 yards and two TDs.
“He made some outstanding plays but we didn’t give him enough time,” said Surace of Hipa, who had three interceptions and got sacked six times. “We missed a blitz pick up. We didn’t put him in manageable situations. We have to manage that better, both our decision-making and his decision-making. The number of big plays, the ones that we hit and the opportunities we had against that defense was very encouraging. It is the play-to-play efficiency that we have to fix.”
The Tiger running game sputtered as senior John Volker gained 28 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown while junior Dareion Murphy had 24 yards in seven carries.
“We have got to do a little
better job getting them going,” said Surace, whose team was outgained 153 yards to -7 in net yards rushing on Saturday. “We just were a little bit off, off enough that we played uphill. I think we threw it about 50 times when you count the sacks. Ideally there is more balance.”
At the defensive end, Princeton was also a little off.
“If were on the field for 65 plays, 35 of then we played terrific defense, 15 of them were solid, and the other 15, they hit us for big plays or could have,” said Surace. “It was different people every time. We have to settle that group down. It was sloppy and we have to be better on that.”
Hosting a talented Howard (2-2) team this Saturday, the Tigers can’t afford to be sloppy as they look to get into the win column.
“They have had two quarterbacks that are complete opposites,” said Surace. “The quarterback (Ja’Shawn Scroggins) that played against Rutgers is dynamic as a runner, he still throws it well. The quarterback (Jaylon Tolbert) that played against Morehouse is dynamic as a thrower, he can still run it. They hit you with two different game plans, they haven’t played them together. It puts an onus on preparation. Defensively, they are stout. They have two guys in the secondary (Kenny Gallop Jr., Carson Hinton) that are either going to be drafted or signed, they will be in the NFL. They have a lot of good defensive players but those two guys are NFL level players. They won their conference last year, they were a top 25 team and they return the majority of their players.”
In order to overcome the Bison, Princeton will need to clean things up from the opener.
“On both sides we have to be more efficient and cut out the gray,” said Surace. “There was a little bit too much looking like a team in its first game offensively with error. Defensively we can’t give up that many big plays, we can’t be boom or bust. You want to have 45 really good plays. We need to cut the 15 ones that were lousy to five and the other 10 to ‘OK, they check it down and get four yards.’ You do that and you are taking two or three scores off a team.”
Surace will be hoping for additional déjà vu from that 2016 loss to Lehigh as the Tigers bounced back that fall to go 8-2 and tie Penn for the Ivy League title.
—Bill Alden
OFF AND RUNNING: Princeton University football running back John Volker heads upfield in a 2023 game. Last Saturday, senior Volker scored on a three-yard touchdown run in a losing cause as Princeton fell 35-20 to Lehigh in its season opener. The Tigers will look to get on the winning track as they host Howard (2-2) on September 28 in its home opener.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Senior Star Schulze Comes Up Big with Hat Trick As
PU Field Hockey Rallies to Edge Rutgers 3-2
Grace Schulze found the perfect way to end her frustration.
The senior forward scored all three goals in No. 18 Princeton University field hockey team’s 3-2 comeback win at No. 13 Rutgers on Sunday.
“It definitely was a great feeling,” said Schulze. “I think when we play Rutgers, there’s always a lot of emotion. They’re obviously our in-state rivals, so being able to get the comeback win was huge and I think I’ve been struggling with getting goals and getting shots, so I think for me it was a good way to start my scoring for the season.”
Schulze dealt with a different sort of frustration a year ago. She was the leading returning scorer for the Tigers going into the 2023 season, but broke her collarbone in the opening minute of the second game of the season and missed the entire year, choosing to retain a season of eligibility for this year by withdrawing from school.
Schulze lived in the Princeton area and was able to train in the spring with the team, but did not play for the Tigers.
“The hardest part for me was knowing that I wasn’t going be able to play the last season with my original class, just because obviously we’ve gone through so much with COVID and then you just grow close to your class,” said Schulze, a 5’1 native of Greenwich, Conn. “So I think that was hard for
me and I think my style of leadership has always been one where I lead by example, and so I had to learn how to lead from the sidelines. And I think it was hard to watch in the big games that we did win all I wanted to do is be out on the field celebrating. It just took time for me to adjust to that. I think I definitely learned a lot and grew on the mental side of things.”
Schulze returned to the field this year along with Beth Yeager, who missed last season after taking the year off to try out and make the U.S. Olympic team, and joined a strong freshman group. Princeton improved to 4-2 with the win at Rutgers following a 3-0 win over Penn in the Ivy League opener with Yeager scoring all three goals for the Tigers. It was the first weekend sweep in 2024 for the Tigers, who split their first two weekend series of the year while sorting out the best combinations and lineup.
“We’re still on that path, but I do think we’re getting there,” said Princeton head coach Carla Tagliente. “I said last week and I still feel like this week the potential of this team is so high and I still don’t even think we scratched the surface of it. I think the big growth area this week was just getting the forwards more involved.”
Princeton looks to continue to grow with another pair of games this weekend. In a classic trap game, the Tigers head to New York City on Friday to face a much
improved Columbia team that already knocked off Cornell and played Monmouth tough on Friday, then host No. 1 Northwestern on Sunday.
“Our first priority is Columbia obviously,” said Schulze. “They don’t have the ranking or the prestige that Northwestern does, but it is an Ivy League game. So I think really making sure that we’re focusing on preparing and doing as much as we can for that game is big, and then once we take care of that, then we can put our attention to Northwestern. But first and foremost, we’re focusing on getting the job done with Columbia.”
The Tigers would love to see Schulze carry over her production from her Rutgers performance. If history means anything, that could be the case. In her last full season for Princeton in 2022, she had two assists in the first nine games. Then came a two-goal, one-assist game against Yale, and Schulze only went one game the rest of the season without having at least an assist or goal.
“There definitely was a bit of fear of that season where I started not scoring at all, and I think that kind of was in the back of my mind,” said Schulze. “And I think because I was thinking that way, it actually was preventing me from playing my game. I think also, like a testament to my teammates, they put me into a position where I was able to finish
and score. I did score, but it’s definitely a team effort. They definitely put me in that position as well.”
Tagliente is hoping that the breakthrough game will take some expectations off Schulze. Not scoring through the first couple of weekends seemed to build up pressure that wasn’t helpful.
“She’s kind of a different player,” said Tagliente. “She’s got a little bit of an ice hockey and lacrosse background so she’s got some flair to her play that’s unique, but she’s more of a linking forward, and we’ve often thought sometimes to move her into the midfield because I don’t think she’s a real true goal scorer. But the Penn game was the first game she got a lot of touches and seemed to be very involved and she just missed two goals in that game at the back post and it just felt like it was just knocking, knocking, knocking. It was going to happen.”
and be kind of a goal scorer was definitely something I was struggling with. Before games I was just getting too much in my head about it, and I think this past weekend I kind of just let that go and realized, if I score great, if I can create a play, great. And I think that I was able to adjust my mindset, help me relax and really just play my game.”
The goals were just what Princeton knew she could do, and they finally got it at the perfect time. The Tigers have twice been on the losing end of 3-2 games, and they were happy to turn the tables on Rutgers for a big win.
harder when you’re in that position and you can feel the games not going your way. But I realize having someone say that can in fact lead to a change in momentum or spark. I took that from last year. Obviously we did have a dip in the Rutgers game, so using my voice I was able to kind of inject the spark.” Her voice and goals went a long way in giving Princeton its first winning streak. The Tigers have proven they have the potential to play with anyone, and they look to continue their winning streak next weekend. It’s only the fourth weekend, and Princeton starts its preseason later than other non-Ivy teams.
organ Prolapse • Post surgical pain and scarring • Fibromyalgia • Post-prostatectomy
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Schulze, whose mother Katherine Schulze, nee Savage, played field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse at Princeton, scored the final two goals Sunday with five minutes to go in a momentumchanging 37-second span off the same corner play with her sending her hit out to Yeager, who passed it back to her as she stepped in.
“I just was overthinking things in the first few games,” said Schulze, who had no goals and one assist coming into the Rutgers game.
“I think missing last season and then kind of having this expectation to come back
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“It was a good confidence boost for us,” said Schulze. “All the games that we’ve been in have been very close so I think being able to be on the other side of it instead of being like, it was a good game but we just we didn’t capitalize or whatever the reason may be, in terms of confidence in being able to actually execute for the full game, it was huge. Especially with such a young team. We obviously have a lot of freshmen playing and a lot of sophomores, so I think just in terms of confidence, being able to sweep was good for team morale.”
Schulze’s goals were crucial to the outcome, but she also used her leadership that developed further last year even while she couldn’t play.
“On the sideline it was easier for me to see when things weren’t going our way to kind of inject my voice and be like, pick it up or whatever,” said Schulze. “It’s
“The amount of growth that we have already had to this point is something that I’m proud of, but I think there is a lot more growth that we can be doing,” said Schulze. “I am happy. I think we are disadvantaged that we start later than some of these Big 10 and ACC schools, so I think I’m happy that we do have a winning record up to this point and we do have a lot more big games down the road. So if we can continue to grow and improve it will put us into in a really good position.”
Schulze figures to be a big part of it. She doesn’t have to score goals to help the team, she can lend her playmaking and her voice, but the Tigers needed her production Sunday to build momentum and end some early frustration.
“She’s been patient,” said Tagliente. “I think she was due. And I think she was deserving.”
—Justin Feil
AMAZING GRACE: Princeton University field hockey player controls the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, senior forward scored all three goals for No. 18 Princeton as it edged No. 13 Rutgers 3-2. The Tigers, now 4-2 overall and 1-0 Ivy League, play at Columbia on September 27 before hosting No. 1 Northwestern on September 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
PU Women’s Soccer Falls 1-0 at Fairfield
Despite building a 17-7 edge in shots, the Princeton University women’s soccer team fell 1-0 at Fairfield last Wednesday.
The Tigers, now 4-3, are next in action when they start their Ivy League campaign by playing at Cornell on September 28.
Tiger Men’s Soccer Defeats Colgate 3-1
Sparked by Danny Ittycheria, the Princeton University men’s soccer team defeated Colgate 3-1 on September 17.
Junior forward Ittycheria scored one goal and one assist as the Tigers posted their second straight win and improved to 2-2. Will Francis and Kevin Kelley scored the other goals for Princeton in the victory.
The Tigers were slated to play at Georgetown at September 24 before beginning their Ivy League campaign by hosting Harvard on September 28.
PU Women’s Volleyball Goes 0-3 at UMBC Tourney
Kamryn Chaney starred in a losing cause for the Princeton University women’s volleyball team as it went 0-3 at the UMBC Tournament last weekend in Baltimore, Md.
Sophomore Chaney totaled 60 kills in the tournament, highlighted by a career-best 34 kills in a 3-2 loss (19-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-19, 15-12) to High Point on Saturday. Chaney had 22 kills in a 3-2 defeat to host UMBC (17-25, 25-18, 25-23, 24-26, 15-11) in its second game on Saturday.
The Tigers started the event by losing 3-0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-15) to Howard on Friday. Princeton, now 2-7, starts its Ivy League campaign this weekend by hosting Penn on September 27 and then playing the Quakers in Philadelphia on September 28.
Tiger Men’s Water Polo Goes 2-2 at MPSF Event
Battling some of the top teams in the nation, the No. 7 Princeton University men’s water polo team went 2-2 at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Invite last weekend in Berkeley, Calif.
In action on Friday, the Tigers fell 17-16 in overtime to No. 1 UCLA. A day later, Princeton lost 15-10 to
No. 6 Cal and then posted a 17-10 win over UC San Diego. On Sunday, the Tigers topped No. 10 Long Beach State 14-12 in the fifth-place game of the event.
Princeton, now 9-3, plays at Fordham on September 27, at Iona on September 28, and at LIU on September 28.
Tiger Men’s Golf Sixth at Duke Event
Riccardo Fantinelli led the way as the Princeton University men’s golf team tied for sixth last weekend at the Rod Myers Invitational held at the Duke University Golf Club.
Junior star Fantinelli carded a seven-under 209 (7074-65) to tie for third individually in the three-round event.
In the team standings, Princeton had an overall score of +2 866 to tie Liberty for sixth in the event won by N.C. State at -22.
The Tigers are next in action when they play in the Hamptons Intercollegiate from October 7-8 at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, N.Y.
Princeton Men’s Hoops Releases 2024-25 Schedule
Featuring a challenging non-conference slate that includes several foes that made postseason appearances last winter along with its traditional Ivy League gauntlet, the Princeton University men’s basketball team has released its 202425 schedule.
Princeton’s upcoming schedule is highlighted by 13 home games at Jadwin Gymnasium and up to seven non-conference contests against opponents who saw postseason action in 202324.
The Tigers will also face Rutgers at the Prudential Center and Duquesne in the 2024 Deborah Heart and Lung Center Jersey Jam. Additionally, Princeton will be one of eight teams playing in the Myrtle Beach Invitational. All three Myrtle Beach Invitational games will be presented across the ESPN platforms.
The Tigers’ season opens at home on November 4 against Iona then continues against Duquesne, a program that made it the round of 32 at the 2024 NCAA Tournament, in the 2024 Deborah Heart and Lung Center Jersey Jam at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, on November 8.
Princeton will host Loyola Chicago, who played in the 2024 NIT, on November 15,
before playing at Merrimack on November 17 in the firstever meeting between the two programs.
The Myrtle Beach Classic, taking place at the HTC Center on the campus of Coastal Carolina, features games played on November 21, 22, and 24. Bradley and South Florida, who both played in the NIT in 2024, along with Middle Tennessee, Ohio, Portland, Texas State and Wright State will join the Tigers in Conway, S.C.
On December 3, Princeton will play at Saint Joseph’s, also an NIT team in 2024. The Tigers will then play Furman for the second straight season, this time in Greenville, S.C., on December. 7. In-state opponent Monmouth comes to Jadwin Gymnasium on December 10. Princeton then faces Rutgers on December 21 at the Prudential Center in Newark. The Tigers’ final game of 2024 is on December 30 at home against Akron, an NCAA Tournament team in 2024.
Princeton opens its Ivy League campaign play at Harvard on January 11 as it starts its quest for a fourth straight league regular season title. The Tigers host Columbia on January 20 in their Ivy home opener. Princeton wraps up league play by hosting Penn on March 8.
The Ivy League tournament is being played at Brown from March 15-16.
PU Women’s Hockey
Adds San Roman to Staff
Cierra San Roman has joined the Princeton University women’s hockey staff as its director of video and analytics.
San Roman previously worked with PWHL Boston and the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League in the video departments. The roles included tagging live game footage, creating pre-scout reports of opponents, and analyzing film and statistics.
Prior to her work in professional hockey, San Roman played for the Colby College women’s ice hockey team from 2017-21 and was named the program’s Rookie of the Year and MVP during her collegiate career. As a senior, she was awarded the Colby College Athletics Patty Valavanis Award, given to a female student-athlete who exhibits academic and athletic excellence and personal leadership and sportsmanship.
Since [1950] Conte’s has become a Princeton destination; a great old-school bar that also happens to serve some of New Jersey’s best
and bubbly. The restaurant hasn’t changed much since then; even the tables are the same. It’s a simple, no-frills space, but if you visit during peak times, be prepared to wait well over an hour for a table.
WINNING FEELING: Members of the Princeton University women’s rugby team enjoy the moment after they defeated Bowdoin 59-0 last Saturday to earn their first-ever victory in varsity 15s competition. The program, which started 15s play in 2022, had lost 15 straight games before the win over the Polar Bears. Sophomore wing Celia Watson led the way for the Tigers, scoring three tries. Sophomore back row performer Hannah Mulligan scored twice while sophomore back Malinka Kwemo went 7 for 9 on conversion attempts. Princeton, now 1-2, will look to keep on the winning track when it hosts Brown (2-0-1) on September 28. (Photo
Julia Zaldarriaga is only a sophomore but she has already hit a special milestone for the Princeton High girls’ soccer team.
Last Saturday, sophomore goalie Zaldarriaga recorded the 100th save of her career, helping PHS play to a 0-0 draw with crosstown rival Hun School.
While Zaldarriaga was proud of the milestone, she was more excited about the defensive effort produced by the Tigers against Hun as they moved to 1-2-2.
“Getting 100 saves is pretty cool,” said a smiling Zaldarriaga. “I thought our defense did really well, we had it under control. That is a good thing. Our defense has been working hard, we have had a good defensive season.”
In reflecting on her progress, Zaldarriaga believes her work outside of PHS has made a big difference.
“I have improved a lot with my club team,” said Zaldarriaga, who plays club soccer with the Players Development Academy (PDA). “My club helps me a lot with how I improve year to year. I get taller, I can cover more, I get more agile, I dive better.”
Having a high school season under her belt has been another key factor in Zaldarriaga’s development.
“Going into freshman year, you don’t know what it is really like,” said Zaldarriaga. “Now sophomore year, I know what to expect.”
As a result, Zaldarriaga
has been speaking up more on the field.
“I am comfortable with my team, that is a good thing,” said Zaldarriaga. “I love my defenders, I hope my defenders love me.”
Zaldarriaga loves playing with her older sister, PHS senior midfielder and team co-captain Marina.
“We both started playing at the same time,” said Zaldarriaga. “This is my last season with her so I am excited. It is a sisterhood on the field. It is nice.”
PHS first-year head coach Meghan Brennan was excited to see her players battle local rival Hun.
“I think it is always fun to play a school within Princeton, there is a rivalry,” said Brennan. “A lot of their girls play club together, so they know each other. It is fun for them to play against each other as well.”
While the Tigers played well, keeping the ball in their offensive end for most of the contest, they didn’t cash in their opportunities.
“We had a lot of possession, I thought we found feet really well, we were possessing up the field,” said Brennan. “I feel like today was one of the first times where they really clicked and possessed well. It wasn’t just passes. We just struggled to finish.”
In assessing her squad’s struggles around the goal, Brennan believes her players will start clicking in that aspect of the game.
“I think part of it is that we
have had a really tough start to the season in terms of opponents,” said Brennan. “We have played really quality opponents which is a wonderful thing because it is good practice. We are still figuring each other out, especially in the final third.”
Having Zaldarriaga in goal has been a very good thing for the Tigers.
“Julia is incredible, what sophomore would have 100 saves,” said Brennan. “She is just so good and so reliable. She is so good with her feet too, which when we are possessing is so helpful. She was exemplary last year. She came in so good and then still got better which is unreal. It is really special.”
The squad’s defensive unit of senior Ava Tabeart, sophomore Mathilde Pouliot, sophomore Helena Murray, and freshman Malia Yates Burnett has been getting better and better.
“Ava, Mathilde, Helena and Malia have played well,” said Brennan. “The fact that Malia is a freshman and coming out and winning balls and physical battles is so impressive. She has a really, really bright future for us.”
As for the PHS offense, junior Romy Johnson (2 goals) and senior Kacey Howes (1 goals, 3 assists) have been impressive.
“Romy has stepped up, I put her on the outside mid,” said Brennan. “She is very good one-v-one, she has been very good as an attacker. In the past, she was more of a defender, I think she is coming
into her own on the outside. Kasey is doing really well. She is a workhorse, she works so hard. She will win the ball and keep it at her feet. She is so fast. The other thing with Kasey is that she really takes whatever we say or any feedback and implements it so well. She is so coachable, she learns so quickly.”
Brennan is hoping that her players get up to speed when it comes to finishing.
“We have to practice it more, some of it is confidence too,” said Brennan, whose team hosts WW/P-North on September 26 and Hopewell Valley on September 28 before playing at Notre Dame on October 1. “I think once
we start scoring, it will be like the floodgates have opened.”
Zaldarriaga is confident that PHS will get it together at both ends of the field.
“When you finish and score goals and defend well, that is how you win games,” said Zaldarriaga.
—Bill Alden
American Treescapes
CENTURY CLUB: Princeton High girls’ soccer goalie Julia Zaldarriaga boots the ball last Saturday against the Hun School. Sophomore star Zaldarriaga earned a shutout and made her 100th career save in the process as the local foes battled to a 0-0 draw. PHS, which moved to 1-2-2 with the tie, hosts WW/P-North on September 26 and Hopewell Valley on September 28 before playing at Notre Dame on October 1.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Fueled by Swanson’s Competitive Fire, Skill Set, Hun Field Hockey Heading in the Right Direction
Her left thigh was heavily taped, but Aspen Swanson kept racing up the field as the Hun School field hockey team battled Pennington last Wednesday.
With Hun trailing the Red Hawks 1-0 in the fourth quarter, Swanson was moved from her usual defender spot into the Raider attack and ended up scoring a goal with 1:42 left in regulation.
“As soon as coach (Tracey Arndt) put me forward, I knew I had to put it in, that was what my job was going to be,” said Swanson, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. “The ball just came in and I just did what I could to just get the ball in. I just hit it and hoped for the best and it went in. I am just really thankful for that.”
While Hun ended up losing 2-1 in overtime, Swanson was proud of how the Raiders kept fighting to the end.
“It is definitely our demeanor,” said Swanson. “I am really glad that we were able to do that, it takes a lot from the team to do that. We did a really good job in this game of keeping our heads up.”
Having taken up field hockey just last year, Swanson has improved her game.
“My confidence has gone up because this is my second year playing field hockey,” said Swanson, whose main athletic focus is
lacrosse. “It is just to be more confident with the ball, stick skills, and just knowing that I can do it.”
Swanson’s lacrosse background has helped her excel in field hockey.
“Lacrosse is my main sport,” said Swanson. “In a way, it is the same concept — going to goal, stick skills, and hand-eye coordination. That has really been helping me transferring from lacrosse to field hockey.”
With Hun having seen 10 seniors graduate from a 2023 squad that won the Mercer County Tournament, the Raiders have been working hard to get on the same page this fall.
“We took a huge loss with our seniors last year, it has been hard but I think we are doing the best we can,” says Swanson. “Our new addition Sophia [Clark] is really good, she has really been helping us.”
Hun head coach Arndt likes the way her team has come together as it incorporates new faces.
“We had a rough start with the first game (a 10-0 loss to the Episcopal Academy (Pa.)), I put those games on the schedule for a reason so that we can really see where we are at,” said Arndt. “That was a good learning lesson for us and then we came back with two wins, the one on Monday (2-1 over Academy of New Church (Pa.)) was an overtime win. I want
them to know how much I believe in them, their skills and their effort. I think that helped build some of that confidence.”
In the loss to Pennington, Hun displayed plenty of skill but didn’t take care of business in the circle.
“I thought we did some really nice things. We had some nice possession passing, we just didn’t finish,” said Arndt. “I give Pennington credit. I would have to look at the stats, but I think we had more shots and corners than they did. It is not that they aren’t going to score on us, nobody is worried about a shutout. We just have to score one more.”
Arndt liked the way her players stuck with it as they rallied to force overtime.
“As we went through the second and third quarter it was pretty clear that they were doing a change in strategy to try to stop some of our really skilled players,” said Arndt. “We adjusted things a little bit with a little bit of time left and it ended up working.”
Swanson has been giving the Raiders some really good work all over the field.
“Aspen is very competitive and she wants to do whatever it takes to help us win,” said Arndt. “We had brought her up to that and she said I think I can play over here. She is learning the game more — that is why we put her up on attack
in the seven-v-sevens. Her energy, her aggressiveness, and her competitiveness is something that I hope all of the other girls see because it is really exciting..
The addition of talented post-graduate Clark, who hails from England, has helped keep the Raiders competitive.
“Sophia has got some game IQ, she plays with such speed and fluidity,” said Arndt. “She and Phoebe [Thielmann] make some really nice connections, which is great. It is hard sometimes when kids come in and they are only here for a little bit. She has been a great asset to the team helping the girls. She is just a great kid. She just brings a different style of hockey which is great. She has a great mindset, we are really happy that she is here.”
Another new face, sophomore defender Caroline Sirolly, who transferred from Pennington, has been a calming force on the Hun back line.
“I have to give credit to Caroline, she just plays really strong,” said Arndt. “She is very steady, very consistent and that is exactly what you need in the back. We have really relied on her for all of those things. We have been really lucky that we were able to get her. I am happy to coach her.”
Going forward, Hun will be focusing on being sharper in the circle.
“A lesson for us is that we have to lock in at practice when it comes to finishing on our penalty corners as well as our open circle shots,” said Arndt, whose team lost 3-2 to Penn
Charter (Pa.) last Friday to move to 2-3 and plays at the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on September 28 before hosting Stuart County Day School on October 1. “I think we had three or four that were very open. The shot was open, but it was lifted. So if we can get those on the ground then we have a better chance to put it in.”
In Swanson’s view, the team’s positive mindset bodes well for its chances.
“We played really well, we just didn’t finish,” said Swanson. “OK, it is going to happen sometimes. As long as we keep our heads high and continue to the next game, we will be good.”
—Bill Alden
DUAL THREAT: Aspen Swanson scoops up the ball in action last spring for the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team. This fall, junior Swanson has been stepping up for the Hun field hockey team. Last Wednesday, Swanson scored the lone goal for the Raiders as they fell 2-1 to Pennington in overtime. Hun, which lost 3-2 to Penn Charter (Pa.) last Friday to move to 2-3, plays at the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on September 28 before hosting Stuart County Day School on October 1.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Sparked by Devin’s Versatility in the Midfield, PDS Boys’ Soccer Showing Progress with 3-3 Start
With the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team bringing a 3-1 record into its game against Lawrence High last Thursday, Todd Devin and his Panther teammates were looking to build on the progress they have made since enduring a rough 3-16-1 season last fall.
“We have improved a lot from last year, we didn’t score a goal until well past halfway of the season,” said senior midfielder Devin. “Last year, we didn’t have an identity. This year we are creating our identity and we are learning. In the past two years, we didn’t have a lot of the ball so we know how to play without the ball. With coach [Gary] Roberts coming in, we are getting an identity with the ball. We are working on getting the ball off of our feet quicker with more patterns of play and ways to create chances on goal.”
After PDS dug a 2-0 hole against Lawrence, Devin found the back of the net with 6:33 left in the first half to make it a one-goal game.
“It was off the kickoff, Grant [Burns] kicked it long, their center backs miss-hit it,” said Devin, reflecting on his tally. “I picked up the goalie, he was a little bit on the left side so it was an easy finish.”
But the Panthers failed to build on that as they generated some scoring opportunities in the opening moments of the second half but didn’t convert and Lawrence responded with three unanswered goals to pull away to a 5-1 win.
“We definitely felt good, in the first five minutes of the second half, we had a lot of chances,” said Devin. “I think if we put one of those
chances in, it is a different game. We just held on for too long and they got the next goal. I don’t think the score shows how competitive the game was. It was a close game up until the 20th minute of the second half.”
Over the last four years, Devin has raised the level of his game. “As a freshman, I don’t have as much responsibility, I still played a part,” said Devin. “My role has always been defensively first in the middle of the field. I progressed through the years. When I was a freshman, I used to not have that much stamina and I got pushed off the ball. Since I have grown, I have been able to control the game more and set the pace a little bit better.”
Playing for the MatchFit club program has helped Devin make progress.
“On that team I usually play center back, so it is a little bit of a change when I come to midfield for this season,” said Devin. “It takes me a couple of games with the stamina and the fitness. Then I sort of work on getting up more in the attack. On my club team, I am a center back all day, just distributing the ball.”
PDS first-year head coach Roberts pointed to the early sequence after halftime as pivotal in the loss to Lawrence.
“The difference in the game was that we were all over them for the first eight minutes of the second half, but we didn’t finish three easy chances,” said Roberts. “They go down and score. We had a really hard time dealing with any long ball that was played at our backs. I give Lawrence credit, they were a lot better than their record.”
In the view of Roberts, Devin makes a big difference for the Panthers.
“Todd is an amazing player,” said Roberts. “He does things that very few players can do with the ball. He uses his body and his vision. He has got feet and he has got strength. He has got a work rate.”
PDS has been getting good work from sophomore Keegan Fullman, senior Penn von Zelowitz, senior midfielder Hart Nowakoski, and senior goalie Oren Yakoby in addition to Devin.
“Keegan is great for a sophomore — he is only 14 years old,” said Roberts. “Penn always gives you a massive work rate. Hart is just a rock solid dude. I really like the three of them, basically our team is going to be carried by Todd, Hart, Penn, and Keegan. Oren is always going to be there too.”
Roberts believes that PDS is primed to play some solid soccer as it builds on its promising start.
“We have got to just keep getting better, we have to find time to practice and work on things,” said Roberts, whose team lost 3-1 to Steinert last Saturday to move to 3-3 and will play at Hamilton West on September 26 before hosting Hopewell Valley on October 1. “We have had moments in games where we really got into a style of play but we get away from it too quickly. I want to play the game, I don’t want to lump it all over the place. We will be back.”
Devin, for his part, is confident that the Panthers will get back on the winning track.
“Even though we lost this game, we competed,” said Devin. “Overall, we are going to be able compete with all of the teams in the CVC. Last year we would go into games knowing that we weren’t going to win. I think this year we have a chance of winning every game, which is good.”
—Bill Alden
Featuring a Mix of Battled-Tested Veterans, New Faces, PDS Girls’ Tennis Primed for Another Sectional Run
Having scaled down its match schedule this fall, the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team is hoping that extra training time will lead to some high level play as the season unfolds.
“This is our second year in the conference (the Colonial Valley Conference), we have reduced the number of matches from what we played last year,” said PDS head coach Michael Augsberger. “That will give us a little more time to work on things we need to improve on in practice. I think that we are in a good position to compete for the sectional, just like in the last couple of years.”
The Panthers showed some improvement as they nearly toppled perennial CVC powerhouse WW/P-South on September 12, falling 3-2 to the Pirates.
“South was a great match,” said Augsberger, whose team defeated Hightstown 4-1 last Thursday to improve to 3-2.
“We had a tiebreak and we had one of our girls, Arundhati [Prabhu], coming back in the second set. We had two chances to win that match.
The return of senior star Arya Kalra at first singles gives the Panthers the chance to win a lot of matches.
“Arya has improved a lot, I would say she is a little more consistent,” said Augsberger. “I think that her fitness is better, she is able to last a little bit longer. Her movement is better and she is making better decisions in terms of whether to go for winners or to play it safe. Over the last couple of years, she was neck and neck with other girls. This year she was pretty much emphatically the best.”
At second singles, the arrival of freshman Arundhati Prabhu has been a big plus for PDS.
“Arundhati is probably the most intense payer and thinker on the squad,” said Augsberger. “She is small, she is still building up the strength. But for someone who is that
small, she uses her entire momentum and body to put force into the ball. She can hit almost as hard as any of the other singles players. She has very strong accuracy, she is very seasoned in terms of competition.”
The Panthers boast a seasoned competitor at third singles in sophomore Prisha Tiwari.
“Prisha has gotten stronger, that is the first thing that I noticed,” said Augsberger. “She is progressing in her ability to step back and regroup herself mentally with composure. That was something we identified as something to improve on last year, and I have seen progress with that.”
At first doubles, senior Kavita Amin and sophomore Zarna Kalra have teamed up for a second straight season.
“They played together last year, they wanted to continue that chemistry and that progress they were making last year,” said Augsberger. “They have the lefty/righty combination so they complement each other so that is nice. Kavita is one of the next singles players. She has the baseline game and the ability to track balls down whereas Zarna has a little more power. She is younger but has a little more reach with her volleys.”
At second doubles, sophomore Shuchi Vanga and senior Vera Goliyad have been paired together and are working on getting in sync.
“Shuchi is the most improved player on the team from last year, she has made a big jump from being someone who was just on a strong team and was the eighth player,” said Augsberger. “Vera was probably ninth or 10th on the squad — she had some experience in matches. They are clearly the two best players for the job. They are a new pairing and they are still trying to develop the chemistry. They are both positiveminded and don’t get down on each other. They have
some tough losses to grind through already. What has come to the forefront is their ability to take things in stride, be positive, and look for the solutions instead of blaming each other.”
With PDS playing at Hopewell Valley in September 26 and hosting Robbinsville on September 30 before starting play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public team tournament, Augsberger believes his players are grinding on a daily basis as they look to raise the level of their game.
“The beginning of the season is so much about setting the lineup; now we are able to develop the doubles strategy more, giving them tools to combat what other doubles teams are throwing at them,” said Augsberger. “We couple that with repetitions to really improve volleying and to really improve overheads — things that are doubles-specific almost. For the singles players, it is getting used to the level of competition they are going to face on a day in, day out basis. Prisha and Arya are accustomed to that already. Arundhati is not, she is a freshman plopped into second singles right away so she is going to get used to that. She has played enough tournaments to know what levels of player are out there.”
—Bill Alden
HEADY PLAY: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player Todd Devin heads the ball in a game earlier this season. Senior midfielder Devin scored the lone goal for PDS as it fell 5-1 to Lawrence High last Thursday. The Panthers, who lost 3-1 to Steinert last Saturday to move to 3-3, play at Hamilton West on September 26 before hosting Hopewell Valley on October 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
With Dev Taking Leadership Role on the Back Line, Stuart
Field Hockey Produces Promising 4-3 Start
Maya Dev is paying forward some support she received as an underclassman in taking a leading role on the back line for the Stuart Country Day School field hockey team this fall in her senior campaign.
“The seniors that I had when I was a freshman and a sophomore were good at communicating,” said co-captain Dev. “That is something I want to be for the team. When I was a freshman, I was playing on defense and I wasn’t really sure where to go. Having someone there to help guide you is really important. It helps you behold your confidence because you know that there is someone there to help you.”
Last Friday, Dev helped guide the Stuart backline as it battled Bordentown hard in a 1-0 defeat in moving to 4-3.
“I think that we played really well, we played really good as a team,” said Dev. “We do have a couple of beginners on defense. I think the most important thing is communication.”
The Tartan defense was under the gun as Bordentown controlled possession for much of the contest.
“Today we played a lot on the defensive side, it goes by really fast,” said Dev. “You are definitely not bored, it is a little bit nerve-wracking. But once you have a lot of the trust built up with your teammates, it makes you a lot more confident that if you don’t get it maybe your teammate will get it.”
Dev has built up a lot of trust with fellow defenders
senior Annarose Bourgion St. Maurice, junior Abby Chirik, and junior Jada Hutchison.
“They are really great, it is just having confidence in your team and knowing they have your back,” said Dev. “Jada has been really good at getting it up the side. Annarose and Abby are both really good at just working off of each other. I think that is what we do best, especially up the sideline. We have been doing a lot this year, working with each other and just really being there for each other.”
In goal, senior Emily Harlan was there for the Tartans as she made five saves against Bordentown.
“Emily is really great at talking,” said Dev. “There are some times where there is something I don’t see and she is really great about pointing it out. We need a lot of communication on defense, she is really good about that. Just having her as the last line of defense, it makes you feel so much better about what you are doing.”
With Stuart getting off to a hot start this season, winning its first four games, the squad feels good about its prospects.
“I think in the beginning of the season, we got a couple of wins and that really helped us a lot with our confidence,” said Dev. “I think because of those wins, we know we have the power to do it. It is just all about the execution.”
Stuart head coach Missy Bruvik likes the way her defense has concentrated on execution.
“What I love about the defense is they asked if we can work on marking, can we keep doing this and I said absolutely,” said Bruvik. “We actually focused on that yesterday with just tighter marking and a lot of one-v-one work in the circle and built on it.”
Bruvik credits Dev with setting the tone on the back line.
“Maya always wants to do what she needs to do to help the team,” said Bruvik. “She will work as hard as you need her to get better so she can be better for her teammates. There is no easy way out, it is ‘what else can I do?’ For four years, you can’t ask for more.”
The Tartans have been getting some very good work from goalie Harlan, who has recorded four shutouts and yielded only five goals in the first seven games of the season.
“Emily is having a great year, she makes key saves,” said Bruvik. “When you see the other team getting off really solid shots. Emily is right there.”
In the loss to Bordentown, the Tartan offense sputtered, not getting enough possession in the circle.
“We were just talking about how we can move the ball more efficiently from that backfield and just switching fields,” said Bruvik. “We had opportunities on those corners in the third quarter, it is just finishing. I was pleased with the progress throughout the game. I thought in the third quarter
we made a lot of good runs but again we just have to be more efficient. It is how we get it off the team’s strong side and just be a little more courageous to make that switch and go for it.”
The trio of junior Sydney Anderson, junior Nana Akua Ken-Kwofie, and senior Nyla Flamer has generated opportunities on attack.
“Sydney and Nana are starting to work better together,” said Bruvik. “We have pushed Nyla up. We had her starting at center mid, now we need her to ball carry. That is the goal. We pushed her up but she also plays a little defense.”
With Stuart playing at the Hun School on October 1, Bruvik believes her squad is in a good place.
“Overall, despite the score today, I think we have improved as a team,” said Bruvik, whose team had a total for five wins last season. “We have played seven games and we are in every game. We are a balance of new players with a little more experienced players.”
Dev, for her part, believes that Stuart can compete with everyone on its schedule.
“I think going forward it is having confidence in the fact that we can do it,” said Dev. “We held up really well on defense. I think in the future that will help us a lot. Working on offense, we know what we need to do and we know what we can do. It is just taking that extra step.”
—Bill Alden Nelson
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MAY DAY: Stuart Country Day School field hockey Maya Dev dribbles the ball in recent action. Senior co-captain Dev has helped lead the Stuart back line as the Tartans have gotten off to a promising 4-3 start. Stuart will be playing at the Hun School on October 1.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Field Hockey : Charlotte Mullen scored the lone goal for PDS as it fell 5-1 to Princeton High last Wednesday. Molly Hall made 11 saves in the defeat for the Panthers, who dropped to 3-2. PDS plays at Hopewell Valley on September 27 and at Notre Dame on September 30.
Girls’ Soccer : Sparked by Nica Martin, PDS edged Steinert 2-0 last Saturday. Junior Martin scored both goals for the Panthers as they improved to 3-2-1. PDS hosts Hamilton West on September 26 before playing at Hopewell Valley on October 1.
Girls’ Volleyball : Scarlett Krzeminska starred as PDS defeated WW/P-South 2-0 (25-21, 25-17) last Monday. Krzeminska had five kills, five service points, and one dig in the win for the Panthers, now 4-5.
Football : Dropping a nailbiter, Pennington fell 14-12 to the Blair Academy last Friday evening. The Red Hawks, now 1-2, host the Hill School (Pa.) on September 28.
Boys’ Soccer : Matthew Addai led the way as Pennington routed the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 12-1 last Saturday. Addai scored three goals for the Red Hawks, now 3-1. Pennington plays at the Blair Academy in September 25 before hosting the Hill School (Pa.) on September 28 and Lawrenceville on October 1.
Girls’ Soccer : Sparked by a big game from Hafsa Hussain,. Pennington defeated the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 9-0 last
(Pa.)
September 28, and then plays at the Hun School on October 1.
Saturday. The Raiders, who moved to 1-1-2 with the tie, play at the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on September 28 beef hosting Pennington on October 1.
Football: Sparked by another big game from star quarterback Jack Moran, Hun defeated Rabun GapNacoochee School (Ga.) 3731 in overtime last Friday. Moran connected on 20of-32 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns as the Raiders moved to 4-0. Hun plays Mt. Zion Prep Academy (Md.) on September 28 at the St. James sports complex in Springfield, Va. Girls’ Soccer: Defender Allie Devlin and goalie Ellie Gudusky starred as Hun played to a 0-0 draw with Princeton High last
Football : Suffering its first defeat of the season, Lawrenceville fell 38-0 to Choate Rosemary Hall (Conn.) last Saturday. The Big Red, now 2-1, play at Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) on September 28.
Field Hockey : Sparked by Kendall Sorrentino, Lawrenceville edged Merion Mercy Academy (Pa.) 4-3 last Wednesday. Sorrentino scored two goals as the Big Red improved to 2-2. Lawrenceville plays at West Deptford High on September 25 and at the Pingry School on September 28.
Giants defeated the UOA Broncos 27-24. Ilan Spiegel threw touchdown passes to Bree Green, Alex Spies, and Malcolm Harris for the Giants. As for the Broncos, John Monica scored on an interception return and threw three touchdown passes, two to Nathan Stock and one to Jamie Monica. The Petrone Associates Steelers defeated Princeton Global Packers 20-13. Cooper Casto led the way for the Steelers with two touchdown passes, one each to Tyson Shoemaker and Reggie Wright, and a long TD run. For the Packers, Luke Giannatasio ran for a touchdown, and threw a TD pass to Aiden Davidson. The Besler Chiefs defeated the Mercato Eagles 27-21. Shail Besler starred for the Chiefs, rushing for one touchdown and throwing TD passes Zephaniah Chambers and Sam Carter. Dylan Chambers rushed for a touchdown in the win. As for the Eagles, Christian Barr threw TD passes to Major Downing, Theo Henderson, and Shaan Patel.
Football : Carmine Carusone kicked two field goals to account for all the points scored by PHS as it fell 13-6 at Hamilton West last Saturday. The Tigers, now 1-3, host Robbinsville on September 28.
Field Hockey : Mia Ramirez led the way as PHS defeated Hightstown 7-0 last Monday. Senior star Ramirez scored five goals for the Tigers, now 3-2. PHS plays at Lawrence on September 28.
Boys’ Soccer: Azariah Breitman had a big game as PHS topped Hopewell Valley 4-1 last Saturday. Breitman tallied three goals for the Tigers, who improved to 4-1-1. PHS plays at WW/P-North on September 26 and at Westfield on September 28 before hosting Notre Dame on October 1.
Girls’ Volleyball: Charlotte Woods starred as PHS beat Hopewell Valley 2-0 (25-12, 25-20) last Monday. Junior Woods contributed 10 kills and one dig for the Tigers, who improved to 9-0. PHS hosts Woodbridge on September 25 and WW/PNorth on September 26 be
fore playing at Princeton Day School on September 30.
In the Super Juniors division (Grades 5-6), Leo Miele led the Christine’s Hope Giants to a 42-20 victory over the COE Packers. Miele threw touchdown passes to Sebastian Chalyavshi, Zack Johnson and Rylan Kukla. Miele also ran for two scores and had a receiving TD. For the Packers, Everett Cole threw TD passes to Nazir
Rollins and Noah Gorrie. The Besler Chiefs defeated the UOA Broncos 21-7. Tyrone Rowe ran for a touchdown for the victors with Jasper Weiss throwing TD passes to Liam Gering and Patrick Bullinger. The Woodwinds Associates Eagles edged the Petrone Associates Steelers 21-13. For the Eagles, Theo Salganik had a touchdown pass to Jackson Szurek, James Carter ran for a touchdown, and Julian Vanderpool returned an interception for a score. Daniel Kim scored both TDs for the Steelers, one on a run and the other on a pass from Ryan Leta. In the Juniors division (Grades 3-4), t he Christine’s Hope Giants topped the Lululemon Packers 207. Aiden Spies led the way in the win, running for a touchdown and throwing a TD pass to Brian Willison Jr. Henry Arns sealed the victory with TD run. As for the Packers, Rehm Casto connected with Noah Fairey for their lone touchdown. The Mercato Eagles posted a 19-7 victory over the Petrone Steelers. Aiden Russo lead the Eagles a rushing touchdown and receiving touchdown from Jamison Keel while Chase Barr added a TD run. The Woodwinds Associates Chiefs defeated the COE Broncos 14-0 as James Armstrong paced the offense with touchdown passes to Matthew Sheleheda and to Graham Wilkinson
Results
In opening day action in the Princeton Junior Football League (PJFL) Seniors division (Grades 7-8) last Sunday, the Christine’s Hope
Edward “Ted” P. Bromley Jr., beloved family member and all-around good person, died peacefully on May 25 at Pennswood Village in Newtown, PA. He was 87.
Ted was born in Philadelphia, PA, to Ruth Hancock and Edward P. Bromley and was the eldest of three children. He earned a BE from Princeton University in 1958 and an MBA from Harvard in 1961. He subsequently served in the U.S. Army for two years.
Edward “Ted” P. Bromley Jr. (Dawn Reitz-Bromley), Lisi Bromley, and Brinton Bromley (Kerry Smisek); as well as four grandchildren Sky Walker, Emilie Bromley, Flynn Walker, and Nora Bromley.
A service for Ted will be held at Trinity Church in Princeton, NJ, on October 19 at 2 p.m. Gifts to honor Ted can be given to The Watershed Institute (thewatershed.org) or Compassion and Choices (compassionandchoices.org).
He also served on the Hightstown Board of Health.
Obituaries Religion
Fred Panitz, MD, JD
Fred Panitz 90, of Sheffield, MA, and Sarasota, FL, died peacefully at his home in Sheffield on September 14, 2024.
Fred was born in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Joseph and Jeanette Panitz who immigrated from Poland.
He earned a BA from Brooklyn College, and his MD degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He completed his medical training at Philadelphia General Hospital, and an Internal Medicine residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New York.
Fred married his first wife, Joyce Fishman Panitz, before reporting for his Army service as a Captain in Heidelberg, Germany.
They then returned to New York where he took a Cardiology residency at the same VA Hospital.
In 1965, he joined an Internal Medicine practice in Hightstown, NJ, and was a founder of Hightstown Medical Associates with doctors Bernard Ghitman and Julius Richter.
With Bernie, Fred began the Hightstown Planned Parenthood clinic, using donated space, and an allvolunteer staff.
Fred married Elaine Beguin Panitz, MD, in 1977.
After retiring in 1989, he earned his JD degree from Rutgers University School of Law. Fred thereafter assisted in medico-legal cases in New Jersey and Massachusetts.
They moved to Sheffield, where Fred served on the Sheffield Board of Health. He and Elaine were instrumental in founding the Volunteers in Medicine clinic in Great Barrington, MA, which provided free care for uninsured workers.
Fred was predeceased by his parents, his sister Elaine Panitz Epstein, and his first wife.
Besides his beloved wife Elaine and their son, David, Fred is survived by his sons from his first marriage, Eric and Daniel (Amanda), and grandchildren Ty, Seraphina, and Hudson.
A graveside service will take place at Pine Grove cemetery, in Sheffield, MA, on September 25, 2024.
Ted met his wife, Barbara Broomhead, at a mixer in Boston. They were soon married and in the following 62 years had three children followed by four grandchildren.
Ted found professional satisfaction and success in a series of different jobs. He started out as a stock analyst, then changed directions to become the CFO for Mohr Orchards followed by becoming the president of North American Lace. He ended his career as an investment advisor for U.S. Trust. He worked well into his 70s simply because he liked his clients and associates and enjoyed the time he spent with them.
It was Ted’s love for family and friends that gave him his greatest satisfaction. Every year on Ted and Barbie’s wedding anniversary, Ted would write Barbie a poem that contained bad rhyming and terrible puns but always delivered smiles and laughter. He also loved inventing games to play with his children and grandchildren.
Ted loved travel, forecasting the weather, geography, architecture, and all things French. But spending a day on Silver Lake in the Poconos with his family and friends sailing, playing games, and enjoying the scenery is what he loved the most.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara; his brother James Bromley; his three children Tad Bromley
INDUCTED OFFICERS: On Sunday, September 8, the local Knights of Columbus Council led by Santi Buscemi held their installation of new officers for the 2024-25 Columbian year at St. Alphonsus Church in Hopewell, followed by a lunch at Piccolo Trattoria. The organization welcomes new members to help serve the community. Visit Knights7103.org/become-aknight for more information.
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