September 11, 2019

Art Against Racism Program Examines Social Justice Issues

“LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL”: This painting by Kimberly Lennon will be featured at an exhibit during Art Against Racism: Princeton Area and Beyond. To be held September 20-30, the program is designed to promote social justice, inclusion, equality, and anti-racist community-building.

By Anne Levin

Since putting together a 10-day program designed to promote social justice, inclusion, equality, and anti-racist community-building, to be held in Princeton September 20-30, its organizers have been bowled over by the public’s response.

Art Against Racism: Princeton Area and Beyond will bring talks, exhibits, readings, faith community conversations, and a drag show to Morven Museum & Garden, The Arts Council of Princeton, McCarter Theatre Center, the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, and three local churches.

“We started on this in June,” said attorney, activist, and Princeton resident Rhinold Ponder, one of three people behind the series. “The response has been so great that I haven’t approached more than one-tenth of my resources. There has not been a ‘no.’ There are people and organizations that will wonder, ‘Why didn’t he call me?’ But it just became so big, so fast, that I had to put a limit to it.” more

Voices of Princeton Oral History Project Invites Princetonians to Share Their Stories

SHARING STORIES: Princeton Public Library staff members, from left, Kim Dorman, community engagement coordinator; Kristen Friberg, readers’ services librarian; and Nora Walsh, public programming associate, are shown in the Princeton Room of the library as they recreate a Voices of Princeton recording session, acting as facilitator, interviewer, and interviewee.

By Jean Stratton

It is not just world events, revolutions, battles, and long lists of dates. History, most of all, is stories. It is about individual people, their lives, their attitudes, their achievements, their challenges and struggles.

History provides perspective and continuity. What was different? What was the same? What endures?

Princeton, with its own long history, including a battle helping to turn the tide of the American Revolution, home of a prominent university, and a robust diversity in its population, abounds with stories.

Now, its residents have an opportunity to share their own histories through the Voices of Princeton (VOP) Oral History Project, which includes recorded interviews. These will be archived through the VOP organization, a collaboration of the Historical Society of Princeton, the Princeton Public Library, the Arts Council of Princeton, and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society. more

Alexander Road To Close November 6; Additional Disruptions in Coming Months

By Donald Gilpin

Alexander Road will be closed from November 6, 2019 through April 1, 2020, Mayor Liz Lempert announced earlier this week, as the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) and Mercer County reconstruct two bridges and a culvert.

“This is much needed infrastructure work,” Lempert said in a Monday press briefing. “We understand the impact on quality of life, but we will be better off at the end of this project. We would be increasingly at risk of emergency closings with no ability to plan ahead if we didn’t do this now.”

Acknowledging the traffic and business challenges the community will face over the five-month period, she emphasized the urgency of the repair work and the need for mutual support. “I’m grateful to all of our community partners who came to the table to help us work through this. It may be painful, but it’s important to support local businesses at this time. We can get through this together as a community.” more

Cannabis Conference To Explore Challenges, Choices, Opportunities

By Donald Gilpin

“The Color of Cannabis,” a conference sponsored by the Capital City Area Black Caucus along with large contingent of other organizations and individuals, will examine what cannabis legalization will mean for New Jersey today, Wednesday, September 11, 5-8 p.m. at the James Kerney Campus of Mercer County Community College at 102 North Broad Street in Trenton.

With a wide array of speakers and panelists from the political, medical, education, business, and law enforcement communities, the one-day session, subtitled “Taking a Seat at the Table, Guiding the Conversation, and Following the Money,” will examine challenges, choices, and opportunities lying ahead as cannabis legalization, conference organizers assume, eventually works its way through the state legislature.

“It’s coming,” said CCABC co-founder, former Princeton resident, and conference moderator John Bailey. “What’s more important is that equity has to play a role here.” more

Imagining What D.H. Lawrence Would Make of Brexit: A Birthday Adventure

I am English, and my Englishness is my very vision.
—D.H. Lawrence, in a letter from October 1915

By Stuart Mitchner

Earlier the same year, in another letter to another friend, Lawrence wrote, “I know that I am the English nation — that I am the European race.”

You may be thinking, how outrageous, that a mere mortal could ever presume to make such a statement. But then this is no ordinary mortal. The website for “Important Events on This Day, September 11,” begins, inevitably, with a 10-line paragraph about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center; after an inventory of other  events, including a 1973 military coup in Chile and a 1941 speech  by Charles Lindbergh accusing “the British, the Jewish, and the Roosevelt administration of trying to draw America into World War II,” the site concludes with “D.H. Lawrence, born Sept. 11, 1885,” followed by a biographical notice almost twice as long as the entry on the American apocalypse. more

The Dryden Ensemble Has Princeton Appearances

ANNIVERSARY SEASON: The Dryden Ensemble begins celebrating its 25th birthday with a benefit October 6. Visit www.drydenensemble.org for details.

The Dryden Ensemble will celebrate its 25th Anniversary this season, beginning with their Autumn Benefit on Sunday, October 6 at 5 p.m. This special event will hosted by Brian Fix at his historic home, the first of President Woodrow Wilson’s residences in Princeton.

The evening includes a theatrical entertainment, “An Eyewitness Guide to Versailles,” featuring actors Roberta Maxwell and Paul Hecht, followed by a buffet dinner and silent auction. Reservations are required. Tickets cost $150 per person and may be purchased online or by mail. more

American Repertory Ballet Announces New Season

NEW SEASON, NEW HOME: Shown here in “Paquita,” Nanako Yamamoto is among the dancers of American Repertory Ballet appearing at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center this season.

With the 2019-2020 season, American Repertory Ballet marks two major milestones in its history — the opening of its new home at the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) and the company’s 40th anniversary.

The company will present four unique programs at NBPAC as well as performances throughout the tri-state region, including appearances in Princeton, Rahway, Trenton, Philadelphia, and New York City.

The season begins September 20-22 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center with Paul Taylor’s Airs; a new work, Overture, by Ethan Stiefel; Beyond the Normal by Riccardo De Nigris; and Fluctuating Hemlines by Septime Webre. more

“Making Portraits” Exhibit At PDS Art Gallery

“RUTH BADER GINSBERG”: This work by Andre Veloux, made of Lego bricks, is featured in “Making Portraits,” on view at the Anne Reid ‘72 Art Gallery at Princeton Day School through October 2. The exhibit features eight contemporary artists working in portraiture. A reception will be held on Friday, September 13 from 6-7:15 p.m.

“Making Portraits,” a new exhibition featuring eight contemporary artists working in portraiture, is on view in the Anne Reid ‘72 Art Gallery at Princeton Day School through October 2. A reception open to the public will be held on Friday, September 13 from 6-7:15 p.m.

They include Mario Moore, who received an M.F.A. in painting from the Yale School of Art in 2013, and was a Hodder Fellow at Princeton University during the 2018-2019 academic year. Currently, he has an exhibition at Princeton University of portraits of blue-collar workers on the Princeton campus, which he created during his Hodder fellowship. The portraits compel dialog about social justice, perceptions and realities of individuals in our society and their representation in American painting. more

Works of Salina Almanzar At Rider Art Gallery

“NOSOTRO VENCEREMOS”: The works of Salina Almanzar are featured in “Ni de aquí, Ni de allá — On Being a Third Generation Dominirican,” on view through Sunday, October 13 at the Rider University Art Gallery. An opening reception is Thursday, September 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Rider University Art Gallery presents an exhibit of works by Salina Almanzar titled “Ni de aquí, Ni de allá — On Being a Third Generation Dominirican,” on view through Sunday, October 13. An opening reception and an artist’s conversation with Gallery Director Julia Marsh will be held on Thursday, September 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Almanzar is from Lancaster, Pa., and a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, where she majored in studio art and English literature. She also holds a master’s degree in arts administration from Drexel University, where her thesis topic was Creative Placemaking in the Lancaster Latinx community. She researched and wrote about the ways that the Latinx community in her hometown have created spaces for cultural preservation and the obstacles or successes they may have faced up to this point. She has continued her research collecting stories and create opportunities for cultural preservation in Lancaster. more

Battling 2 Top-10 Foes on Opening Weekend, No. 5 Princeton Field Hockey Pulls Out Split

SPLIT DECISION: Princeton University field hockey player Hannah Davey goes after the ball in a 2018 game. Last Sunday, sophomore star midfielder Davey tallied a goal and an assist to help fifth-ranked Princeton edge No. 10 Wake Forest 2-1 in double overtime to wrap up its opening weekend. The Tigers, who fell 4-3 to No. 1 North Carolina on Friday to begin is campaign, host No. 20 Albany (1-2) on September 13 and No. 17 Penn State (0-3) on September 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Playing in 90 degree heat as it opened its season at top-ranked North Carolina last Friday, the No. 5 Princeton University field hockey team got off to a sizzling start.

Princeton jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Tar Heels 21:47 into the contest on goals by freshman Sammy Popper and senior Taylor Nolan and built a 3-1 advantage by halftime as Popper added another tally.

“We got off to a great start, we were very productive in the circle and we got a couple on the board,” said Princeton head coach Carla Tagliente. more

After Getting First Taste of International Action, PU Volleyball Star Dixon Primed for Senior Year

WORLD VIEW: Princeton University men’s volleyball star Parker Dixon (No. 22) tracks the ball in a game last season. Over the summer, rising senior Dixon competed for USA Volleyball at the World University Games in Naples, Italy. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Justin Feil

Parker Dixon is returning to Princeton University this fall with his first international volleyball experience.

The senior from Dallas, Texas was selected as one of 12 players to compete for USA Volleyball at the World University Games in Naples, Italy.

“It was a huge honor to be selected to this team,” said Dixon, the outside hitter who led the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) in total attacks last year.

“There are a lot of great players around the country and to be selected as one of the ones to be able to represent the U.S. in this type of event is a huge honor. I was really excited to get that chance to go and put a USA jersey on and play.” more

Star Defender Hewins Leaves It All on the Field, Helping Tiger Women’s Soccer Tie Rutgers 0-0

HEWING TO THE LINE: Princeton University women’s soccer player Eve Hewins, left, battles a Rutgers player for the ball last Saturday night at Roberts Field. Junior defender Hewins came up big as Princeton battled No. 21 Rutgers to a scoreless draw through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. The Tigers, now 2-1-1, play at No. 15 Georgetown (3-2-1) on September 12 and at Maryland (3-2-1) on September 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After it was over, Eve Hewins collapsed to the turf at Roberts Field, unable to stand up for several minutes.

Hewins was demonstrating the effects of having played all 110 minutes for the Princeton University women’s soccer team as it battled No. 21 and undefeated Rutgers to a scoreless draw through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime.

Getting tended to by the trainer and gulping some Gatorade, junior defender Hewins finally got to her feet and reflected on the effort as the Tigers moved to 2-1-1. more

After Breaking Through with 2 Wins in 2018, PHS Football Looking to be More Competitive

GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT: Princeton High football head coach Charlie Gallagher encourages his players during a preseason practice. PHS, which went 2-7 last fall as it snapped a 21-game losing streak, kicks off its 2019 campaign by playing at Hightstown on September 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Having snapped a 21-game losing streak last September and ending up with two wins on the fall, the Princeton High football team is bringing an upbeat mentality into the 2019 season.

“It is hard to compare preseasons to other preseasons, but this has been a really great preseason,” said PHS head coach Charlie Gallagher, whose team posted a 2-7 record in 2018.

“It is well organized. The kids are there to learn and to compete, which has been really great.” more

As Junior Petruso Displays Finishing Touch, PHS Boys’ Soccer Tops Nottingham in Opener

FINISHING TOUCH: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Nick Petruso controls the ball in a preseason training session. Last Thursday, junior striker Petruso scored a goal as PHS topped Nottingham 2-0 in the season opener for both teams. The Tigers, who dropped to 1-1 after falling 7-3 to Gill St. Bernard’s last Saturday, play at Robbinsville on September 12. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Nick Petruso was determined to get the season off on the right foot for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team.

As PHS hosted Nottingham in its season opener last Thursday, junior striker Petruso took off on several runs to the goal in the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net.

“In the beginning it was frustration,” said Petruso. “Towards the end of the first half, we started getting more chemistry going forward.” more

With Swanke Emerging as Offensive Force, PHS Field Hockey Rolls to a 2-0 Start

By Bill Alden

Over her first three years with the Princeton High field hockey team, Morgan Swanke played mainly in the midfield.

This fall, Swanke has been moved to forward and has quickly found a home in her new spot on the field.

“I was really excited to play for my senior year,” said Swanke. “I usually play midfield but since I have started on forward this year, it has been a lot of fun.”

Swanke got off to a sizzling start in the first week of her senior campaign, tallying four goals in a season-opening 8-0 win over Nottingham last Wednesday and then adding two more in a 3-0 victory at crosstown rival Princeton Day School last Friday.

In the win over PDS, Swanke got the Tigers on the board, scoring off of a penalty corner with 11:26 left in the first half. more

Sophomore Defender Jones Comes Up Big, Helping PDS Girls’ Soccer Defeat PHS 3-1

KEEPING UP WITH JONES: Princeton Day School girls’ soccer player Cailyn Jones boots the ball up the field in a 2018 game. Last Saturday, sophomore defender Jones tallied a goal and sparked the back line to help PDS defeat Princeton High 3-1. The Panthers, who improved to 3-0 with the win, hosts the Hun School on September 12 and then play at Steinert on September 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Cailyn Jones saw an opening in the first half for the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team as it hosted crosstown rival Princeton High last Saturday afternoon.

With PDS taking a corner kick with 11 minutes into the contest, sophomore defender Jones made a beeline for the box.

“We have those far crosses into the 18 and I knew that spaces were going to be open,” said Jones.

“It was running through my head that we have had plays like that before where no one was there so I knew I had to be there and just get something on it.” more

PDS Field Hockey Battles Hard in Loss to PHS As Young Squad Already Showing Improvement

By Bill Alden

Heather Farlow could have been disappointed after her Princeton Day School field hockey team lost 3-0 to crosstown rival Princeton High last Friday.

Instead, PDS head coach Farlow was all smiles as she assessed the effort she got from her young squad.

“We played the passing game that we wanted to play; we had possession,” said Farlow, whose team dropped to 1-1.

“I think we are only going to get better, A.B. [assistant coach Annabeth Donovan] and I are really excited about where we are. It is only September 6 and we lost five starters from last year.” more

Benefitting from Unselfish Mentality Last Fall, Hun Boys’ Soccer Aiming to Continue Progress

CLEAR LEADER: Hun School boys’ soccer player Brian Spencer clears the ball in a game last season. Senior defender and four-year starter Spencer will be counted on to spearhead Hun’s back line this season. The Raiders, who fell 3-1 to Haddonfield last Saturday in their season opener, are scheduled to face Putnam Science Academy in the Main Line High School Jamboree at the United Sports Center on September 15 and host Pennington on September 17. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Fueled by an unselfish mentality, the Hun School boys’ soccer team produced a solid campaign last fall, going 9-10 and advancing to the state Prep A semifinals.

As Hun starts the 2019 season, Pat Quirk is hoping that attitude has become a staple of the program.

“I think what the kids returning from last year learned is that everybody has to be playing together,” said Hun head coach Quirk.

“The one thing we praised last year was that there wasn’t anybody with a big ego. They were OK with another kid scoring as long as the team was playing well together.” more

September 4, 2019

Sneak Peek

The Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad invited the community to visit on Sunday afternoon for a look at its new headquarters under construction at 2 Mount Lucas Road. The event featured tours, rescue vehicles, and the opportunity to meet volunteers. Participants share their impressions of the new facility in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)

Riverside On Track for a Thursday Opening

By Donald Gilpin

After massive cleanup of construction dust and debris over the past few days, with custodial crews working alongside a professional cleaning company throughout the Labor Day weekend, Riverside Elementary School will be opening on Thursday, September 5, a day after the other Princeton Public Schools (PPS).

“Riverside passed inspection by the health officer this morning and is on track for a great opening on Thursday,” PPS Superintendent Steve Cochrane wrote in an email Tuesday afternoon.

In other school news this week, the New Jersey Department of Education has approved PPS’ application for preschool expansion aid with $770,939 in additional funding. more

Westminster Foundation To Hold Public Meeting On Survival of Campus

By Anne Levin

With Rider University planning to move Westminster Choir College from its longtime Princeton home to the University’s Lawrence Township campus next fall, those who fear the relocation would spell the end of the esteemed music school are gearing up for what is billed as “A Critical Public Meeting,” set for Tuesday, September 10 at Nassau Presbyterian Church.

The meeting is not a forum or a debate. It is an information session, which will include a video about Westminster and a question-and-answer session after the presentation.

“This is something we started formulating about a month ago as an opportunity to get out to the public what is really going on,” said Constance Fee, who heads the Westminster Foundation, a group of alumni, faculty, and various supporters of the choir college. “The PR from Rider is that this move is all wonderful. But we want to let people know what is actually going on in the background.” more

Bainbridge House to Reopen With Neighborhood Block Party

BLENDING THE OLD AND THE NEW: Princeton University Art Museum has reimagined Bainbridge House, one of Princeton’s remaining 18th century buildings, into a gallery space for contemporary and emerging artists. (Photo by Emile Askey courtesy of the Princeton University Art Museum)

By Anne Levin

The renovations are complete. Bainbridge House, the red brick, Georgian-style building at 158 Nassau Street, is ready to reopen as a public viewing space programmed by the Princeton University Art Museum. On Saturday, September 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a block party for the community will celebrate the new life of the historic structure, rechristened Art@Bainbridge.

The Museum plans to use the first floor as gallery space for displaying the work of contemporary artists. The first installation, “Jordan Nassar: Between Sky and Earth,” shows works created by the 34-year-old artist during the last five years.

This focus on the new is intentional. It contrasts the notable history of Bainbridge House, which stretches back to the mid-1700s and includes years as lodging for members of the Continental Congress in 1783. Earlier, it served as the home and medical office of Absalom Bainbridge, an enslaved person who successfully battled for freedom. more

Cadwalader Heights House Tour Celebrates “112 Years Young”

CADWALADER CHARACTER: The home of Mercer County Freeholder Sam Frisby and his wife Teska, and family is one of 10 on the upcoming Cadwalader Heights House Tour.

By Anne Levin

For Sam and Teska Frisby, a drive down the leafy streets of Trenton’s Cadwalader Heights neighborhood was all it took.

It was 2003, and the couple had just built a home in suburban Westampton. But when Sam Frisby became Trenton’s director of recreation, they needed to make the move to the city. “When we saw the landscaping by Frederick Law Olmsted, with tree canopies that looked almost like they were hugging the street, we said, ‘This is it,’” said Sam Frisby, who has been a Mercer County freeholder since 2011. “It was just an incredible visual delight.”

The couple — Teska Frisby works with National Junior Tennis & Learning of Trenton — moved with their children into a six-bedroom, 1912 Arts and Crafts style Tudor on Belmont Circle, and have never looked back. The home is one of 10 in this architecturally diverse neighborhood that will be open to the public for the annual Cadwalader Heights House Tour on Saturday, September 14 from 12-5 p.m., rain or shine. more

Calvin A. Ramsey To Present W-J Historical Society Lecture

“RUTH AND THE GREEN BOOK:” Author Calvin Ramsey will be discussing the creation and history of “The Negro Motorist Green Book” at the Arts Council of Princeton on September 18 at a fundraiser for the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society. In addition to his children’s book “Ruth and the Green Book” (2010), Ramsey has also written a two-act play titled “The Green Book” (2006). (Lerner Publishing Group)

By Donald Gilpin

The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide for African Americans published from 1936 to 1966 during the Jim Crow period of segregation, will be the subject of a lecture by author Calvin Alexander Ramsey at the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society’s (WJHCS) first annual lecture at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) on September 18.

The good news is that African American travel has changed in the past half century since the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and, according to Ramsey in a 2015 interview in the New York Times, “There’s no more Jim Crow. So it’s 100 percent better.”

The Green Book stopped publication in 1967, and African Americans searching for housing and food while traveling probably don’t need it any more. more

Trenton Circus Squad Comes to Princeton, Under the Big Top at YMCA October 19

CIRCUS ARTS, SHAPING LIVES: Trenton Circus Squad (TCS) performers are preparing for their October 19 benefit “Step Right Up!” under the big top at the Princeton Family YMCA. The TCS program teaches circus arts, collaboration, and life skills to youths from Trenton and Mercer County suburbs. (Photo by Steve Sarafian)

By Donald Gilpin

The circus is coming to town on October 19 in the form of the Trenton Circus Squad (TCS), a troupe of young people from Trenton and surrounding Mercer County suburbs. They will be hosting “Step Right Up!” — their annual benefit “to help youth take big leaps in life” in a big top circus tent at the Princeton Family YMCA on Paul Robeson Place.

In its fifth year, TCS, based in the Roebling Wire Works building on Clinton Street in Trenton, will offer its Princeton audience a taste of what it means to be a part of the TCS atmosphere. “We want you to get a glimpse into what makes this organization so magnetic,” said TCS Co-Founder and Executive Director Tom Von Oehsen. “Our performances make people smile.”

The event will include carnival games, a sit-down dinner, cocktails, a live auction, an art installation by Eva Mantell, and the featured TCS circus performance accompanied by live music by the Ever After Band. more