October 23, 2024

Princeton Awarded $245,590 Grant to Expand Food Scraps Collection Program

By Anne Levin

Thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Princeton households will be able to recycle food scraps at an expanded number of drop-off sites.

The municipality has been awarded a $245,590 Compost and Food Waste Reduction grant to expand its food scraps recycling program, currently serving 223 residents at two sites, 400 Witherspoon Street and Monument Hall. The town plans to add 10 locations to be determined, which will serve about 1,200 households. The program is free for all Princeton residents.

Princeton Council approved the pilot program for two sites in May 2023. The goal, which aligns with the town’s Climate Action Plan, is to divert food waste from landfills. This helps reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions, two potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. more

Proposal for Expansion of Institute Library to Go in Front of Princeton Planning Board

RESTORATION AND EXPANSION: A rendering of the design by Kimmel Bogrette Archi-tecture + Site for the Historical Studies-Social Science Library at the Institute for Advanced Study. (Illustration courtesy of Kimmel Bogrette)

By Anne Levin

At a special meeting on Thursday evening, October 24, the Princeton Planning Board is scheduled to consider a proposal by the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) to add a second level to its existing main library.

Designed by architecture firm Harrison & Abramovitz and dedicated in 1965, the modernist library was built at the request of former IAS Director J. Robert Oppenheimer. Wallace K. Harrison was known for his work on New York City’s Metropolitan Opera House, Rockefeller Center, and the United Nations building. He also designed Jasna Polana, the estate of J. Seward Johnson and his wife, Barbara Piasecka Johnson, on Route 206. more

Pity, Terror, and Tragedy Within and Without James Joyce’s “Portrait”

By Stuart Mitchner

In the final chapter of James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man (1916), Stephen Dedalus tells two of his fellow students what happened to a girl who got into a hansom cab “a few days ago” in London. “She was on her way to meet her mother whom she had not seen for many years. At the corner of a street the shaft of a lorry shivered the window of the hansom in the shape of a star. A long fine needle of the shivered glass pierced her heart. She died on the instant.”

Reading Portrait my senior year in college, I put a ballpoint asterisk next to the anecdote in the Viking Compass paperback (“copyright renewed in 1944 by Nora Joyce”) and above it scrawled the words “accidental causation,” which were probably cribbed from something the teacher said. Although I underlined Stephen’s prosy remarks on “pity” and “terror,” delivered as he explained why it was not “a tragic death,” all that stayed with me was the girl in the hansom cab and the style Joyce had devoted to the brutal, uncanny happenstance of the event, the “shape of a star” and the “fine needle of shivered glass” he employed to finesse a freak accident. Pity, terror, and “the tragic emotion” were secondary; all it finally came down to was the way Joyce had composed it. more

PSO Presents “Triple Header” of Classical and Neo-Classical Music 

By Nancy Plum

The works performed by Princeton Symphony Orchestra this past weekend may not have all been from the Baroque and Classical periods, but they were all tied in some way to the 18th and early 19th-centuries. The trio of pieces by Michael Abels, Sergei Prokofiev, and Ludwig van Beethoven demonstrated to the audience at Richardson Auditorium how music from these earlier eras has stood the test of time in a concert also showcasing two of the Orchestra’s own members.

Music Director Rossen Milanov and the Orchestra began Saturday night’s performance (the concert was repeated Sunday afternoon) with a compositional new twist on an old favorite. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Abels has been commended for his “unique ability to blend diverse elements.” In his 1999 More Seasons, the “elements” blended were themes from Antonio Vivaldi’s popular The Four Seasons, with Abels using motives from the “Spring” and “Summer” movements to create what he has called “Vivaldi in a Mixmaster.”  more

“Jekyll & Hyde” Continues Kelsey Theatre’s Season of “Transformations”; Performances, Edgy Creative Choices Give the Popular Musical “A New Life”

“JEKYLL & HYDE”: Performances are underway for “Jekyll & Hyde.” Presented by Kelsey Theatre and Off-Centre Stages, and directed by Genevieve Estanislau, the musical runs through October 27 at Kelsey Theatre. Above: Dr. Henry Jekyll (William Kamps) struggles to regain control over a rather dangerous experiment. (Photo by Abigail Acolia Photography)

By Donald H. Sanborn III

Kelsey Theatre is presenting Off-Centre Stages’ production of Jekyll & Hyde. The popular musical continues Kelsey’s “Season of Transformations” by portraying one of the most famous literary metamorphoses: doctor into murderer.

Loosely adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), Jekyll & Hyde is conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn. The book is by Leslie Bricusse, who also is credited with the lyrics, though a few of the songs have words by all three writers. Using the novella as a point of departure, the musical adds a romantic element, as well as themes of class tension, ambition, and autonomy versus community.  more

Rutgers Jewish Film Festival Marks 25th Anniversary

A DANCER’S STORY: Manich Chauhan speaks about his career at a screening of “Call Me Dancer,” part of the Rutgers Jewish Film Festival, which runs from November 7-21. Chauhan’s talk is on the final day of the series. (Photo by Sonam Dekar)

The Rutgers Jewish Film Festival’s milestone year will feature 14 films, discussions with filmmakers and special guests, and numerous New Jersey premieres on dance, music, the LGBTQ+ experience, American Jewish history, and Israeli society.

Twelve films will be screened at the Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick (November 7–17), and five films will be available virtually (November 15–21). The festival is sponsored by Rutgers’ Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life. more

Halloween Playfest at West Windsor Library

The Halloween Playfest at the West Windsor Branch of the Mercer County Library System will feature four original short plays written by librarian Michael Kerr: The Stay-Behinds; Words Will Never Hurt Me; The Life of the Party; and Backstage. Performances will be on Friday, October 25 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, October 26 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, October 27 at 3 p.m.

All the plays will be performed by teens from the local area. All performances will take place at the West Windsor Branch of the Mercer County Library System, 333 North Post Road, West Windsor Township. Recommended for ages 10 and above. Admission is free. No registration required.

Doors open 20 minutes before showtime. Call (609) 799-0462 or email westprogs@mcl.org for more information.

Champions of Magic In “Masters of Illusion”

MAGICAL MYSTERIES: Greg Frewin is one of the stars of “Masters of Illusion” at the State Theatre New Jersey on October 24.

State Theatre New Jersey presents award-winning magicians in “Masters of Illusion” on Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m.  The show features Greg Frewin, Alexandra Burgio, and shock illusionist Dan Sperry.

Frewin is currently ranked as the International Grand Champion of Magic, having won every major award offered within the magic community. Burgio is the only female Canadian magician to ever fool Penn and Teller on the hit show “Penn and Teller: Fool Us.” Sperry, known as “The Anti-Conjuror,” has performed at such venues as The Magic Castle, The Sydney Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, and live on tour with Masters of Illusion.

State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Visit stnj.org for tickets, which range from $29-$99.

“Blithe Spirit” on Stage At MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre

NOEL COWARD CLASSIC: In the 1941 comedy “Blithe Spirit,” two wives — one dead, one alive — cause a ruckus.

Two wives, one dead and one alive, combine for a spooky, comedic experience when Theater to Go presents Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit, October 31-November 3 at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus. Kitty Getlik directs. more

Larry Fuller Trio to Perform Locally

The Larry Fuller Trio will appear at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, at Hillman Performance Hall located on Westminster Choir College campus at 101 Walnut Lane. Although a Princeton resident, Fuller rarely appears locally.

A pianist, Fuller learned his craft the “old school” way — on the bandstand, where he played with jazz greats including vocalist Ernestine Anderson, drummer Jeff Hamilton, guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, and bassist Ray Brown.

In his programming, Fuller includes the Great American Songbook, jazz, blues, pop standards, and originals, bringing his own take to a variety of music. At Hillman Performance Hall, expect to hear anything from Stevie Wonder to Oscar Peterson, Wes Montgomery to Ray Brown, George Gershwin to Joni Mitchell. more

Dance and Live Jazz at McCarter Theatre

LINDY HOP AND MORE: Joshua McLean has Rachel Pitner in the air at “SW!NG OUT” at McCarter Theatre Center on Friday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m., McCarter Theatre Center presents SW!NG OUT, a swing dance  performance choreographed and directed by Caleb Teicher. The show, which concludes with an on-stage jam session, is accompanied by live music from Eyal Vilner’s 10-piece Big Band.

“SW!NG OUT has been a dream project for me, bringing together 12 all-star swing dancers and  a live 10-piece big band to celebrate Lindy Hop in a way that resonates with audiences  everywhere,” said Teicher. “It’s thrilling to see the impact this show has had on so many, inspiring them to dance and engage with the swing dance community. We aim to share the joy and energy of Lindy Hop with a broader audience. Each night, the performance concludes with an on-stage jam session, welcoming attendees to join in and celebrate the dance with us.” more

The Temptations’ Story on Stage at State Theatre

JOURNEY TO FAME: “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” tells the story of the group’s rise from Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It will be performed October 25-27 at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick. (Photo by Johan Persson)

State Theatre New Jersey presents the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations for five performances on Friday, October 25 at 8 p.m.; Saturday; October 26 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $40-$105.

Featuring Grammy-winning songs and Tony-winning moves, Ain’t Too Proud follows The Temptations’ journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating 42 Top 10 Hits with 14 reaching No. 1, and were voted the greatest R&B group of all time by Billboard Magazine in 2017. The rest is history — how they met, the groundbreaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the U.S. fell into civil unrest.  more

Princeton Triangle Club Presents “Pageant Pending”

The newest Princeton Triangle Club show, Pageant Pending, comes to the stage of McCarter Theatre on Friday and Saturday, November 15 and 16 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, November 17 at 2 p.m. The show is an annual tradition featuring undergraduates from Princeton University.

“Welcome to America’s Most Wanted, the biggest pageant event in all 50 states,” reads a release about the show. “The lights are blinding, the competition is cutthroat, and the interview questions must be answered in 20 seconds or less. Dreams, schemes, and ripped seams are all exposed under a merciless spotlight in this new musical comedy about a series of sash decisions!” more

America Tour Performs at State Theatre NJ

SIGNATURE SOUNDS: The America: Ride On Tour mixes pop-rock with folk-jazz at State Theatre New Jersey on Friday, November 1.

Grammy Award-winning rock band America comes to the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick with its Ride On Tour on Friday, November 1 at 8 p.m.

The band’s best-known tunes — which include “A Horse with No Name,” “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” and “Sister Golden Hair” — were cornerstones of 1970’s Top 40 and FM rock radio. Their combination of melodic pop-rock and folk-jazz elements, slinky Latin-leaning rhythms, and impressionistic lyric imagery contrasted with other more traditional country-rock leanings and highly personal lyrics. more

Grounds For Sculpture Now Exhibiting Work By Coyne

“UNTITLED #1383 (SISTERS – TWO TREES)”: This large-scale work by Peta Coyne is on view in the Museum Building at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton through March 2.

Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) in Hamilton has announced that Petah Coyne’s Untitled #1383 (Sisters – Two Trees) is now on view in its Museum Building through March 2. The large-scale sculpture is on loan from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), which is sharing this work from its permanent collection through Art Bridges Foundation’s Partner Loan Network.

Created using unconventional materials such as apple trees and taxidermized peacocks, Untitled #1383 (Sisters – Two Trees) compares and contrasts elegantly with the garden landscape of GFS. The view from inside the gallery looks out upon the gardens, inviting opportunities for deeper discussions on nature, climate, temporality, and whimsy. more

Princeton Makes Series Features Cathy Dailey

ART TALK: Visual artist Cathy Dailey will be the featured speaker for the “Inside the Artist’s Studio” talk on Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m. at Princeton Makes in the Princeton Shopping Center on North Harrison Street.

On Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m., visual artist Cathy Dailey will be the featured speaker for the “Inside the Artist’s Studio” series at Princeton Makes in the Princeton Shopping Center. Dailey, a Princeton Makes cooperative member, creates vivid, whimsical images of cats, dogs, and birds, as well as abstract art, in a variety of media including colored pencil, oil pastel, and collage. In her talk, entitled “My Artist Road Trip,” she will share her 30-plus-year artistic journey.

“My plan is to quickly show and tell my life story, and then focus on my artistic life, which feels more like a road trip to me than a journey,” she said. “It will be fun to talk about how my work has evolved over the years.” more

Final Days to See “Juried Art Show” at Phillips’ Mill

“FUELING MIGRATION”: This watercolor by Joanne Amantea is featured in the “95th Juried Art Show” at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa., which closes on October 27.

The “95th Juried Art Show”at Phillips’ Mill, which has welcomed over 1,200 visitors since it opened last month, closes this Sunday, October 27.

Among the over 200 artists exhibited in the historic 18th century gristmill are Princeton artists Joanne Amantea, Linda Bachert, Joanne Donnelly, Paul Giancola, Katarzyna Iwaniec, Lori Langsner, Helene Mazur, Meera Pradhan, Delphine Salzedo, and Melanie Teasley. more

NJ State Museum Hosts Halloween Spooktacular

The New Jersey State Museum in Trenton will host its annual Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, October 27 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Guests can enjoy Halloween-themed games and crafts in the Museum’s Riverview Court. Children in costume may participate in trick-or-treating on the Museum’s front lawn at 1:30 p.m. Following the trick-or-treating, there will be a raffle for Museum-themed prizes. Event participants will receive one raffle ticket each when they check in for the event. Free planetarium shows will be offered at 1 and 2 p.m. Tickets for those shows will be available on a first-come, first served basis at check-in.

The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street, Trenton, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; closed on all State holidays. General admission is free. For more information, visit  statemuseum.nj.go.

Science in Dohm Alley

Join the Princeton Einstein Museum of Science on October 26 in Dohm Alley, next to 102 Nassau Street, from 2 to 5 p.m. to see its current exhibit, “Einstein’s Attraction to Magnetism,” which has been extended through November 30. Kids can try experiments and get activity sheets and compasses at the free event.

“Learning Curves”

Instructor Nancy Toolan receives flowers at the recent opening of “Learning Curves: Works from the Beginning Drawing Classes,” featuring works by residents of Princeton Windrows. The exhibition is on view in the Russell Marks Gallery on the Princeton Windrows campus, 2000 Windrow Drive, through the end of December.

Wide Range of Full-time Care and Services are Available at The Meadows at Lawrence

COTTAGE ENVIRONMENT: An aerial view of the grounds at the Meadows of Lawrence.

By Jean Stratton

Helping to care compassionately for an older person. Cooking something that she or he would like to eat. Helping them to put on a shirt or sweater that won’t irritate thinning skin. Trying to think of something that might make them laugh. Sharing a story.

All ways to treat someone with dignity and respect, and all important values at The Meadows at Lawrence, emphasizes Daisy Newson, director of community relations.

“The well-being of our residents is our NO. 1 priority,” she explains. “We are based on the Greenhouse Model. This includes individual cottages, a low population, and a higher staff-resident ratio. We provide people with all levels of care here; a nurse is on-site 24/7, with a nurse station in each cottage, and a doctor comes every day. And all the food is cooked right here. Everything is baked fresh, and all dietary needs are accommodated.”

The Meadows at Lawrence, which is affiliated with the Lawrence Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, opened in 2015 at One Bishops Drive in Lawrenceville. It is set apart from most long-term health care facilities because of its cottage environment, offering a more home-like atmosphere. Its six cottages are each home to 10 residents, and all are fully staffed with aides to help each individual as needed.  more

Junior QB Hipa Throws for a TD, Runs For Another As PU Football Tops Brown 29-17, Surviving Late Rally

HIP HIP HOORAY: Princeton University quarterback Blaine Hipa gets ready to unload the ball last Friday night against Brown. Junior Hipa completed 15-of-26 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown and rushed for another score as Princeton held off a late rally by the Bears to prevail 29-17 and improve to 2-3 overall and 1-1 Ivy League. The Tigers play at Harvard (4-1 overall, 1-1 Ivy) on October 26. (Photo by Sideline Photos, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Blaine Hipa struggled in his first three career starts this fall for the Princeton University football team, completing 46 percent of his passes with nine interceptions and three touchdowns as the Tigers lost all three games.

As Princeton hosted Brown last Friday night, Hipa was primed to put that rough stretch behind him. more

Duchovny’s Brilliant Goal Makes the Difference As Princeton Men’s Soccer Edges Columbia 2-1

MOMENT OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton University men’s soccer player Gabe Duchovny, left, goes after the ball in a 2023 game. Last Saturday, junior midfielder Duchovny scored the winning goal as Princeton rallied to edge Columbia 2-1. The Tigers, now 6-5 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, host Yale on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Gabe Duchovny wasn’t thinking about his shot or he might not have taken it.

It wasn’t a high percentage shot, but the junior midfielder couldn’t have hit his rocket from 30 yards any better for the game-winner in the Princeton University men’s soccer team’s 2-1 comeback win at Columbia on Saturday. more

With Hamerschlag Making Smooth Transition to Back 4, PHS Boys’ Soccer Primed to Battle Steinert in CVC Semis

HAMMER TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Chase Hamerschlag rises up for a header in recent action. Last Monday, junior center back Hamerschlag scored a goal and played strong defense to help second-seeded PHS defeat 10th-seeded Trenton Central 2-1 in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The Tigers, now 12-2-3, will face third-seeded Steinert in the CVC tourney semis on October 24 at Hopewell Valley with the victor advancing to the final on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Chase Hamerschlag provided a spark off the bench as a reserve forward for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team last fall as it won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state title.

Backing up high-scoring striker Pasquale Carusone, Hamerschlag contributed five goals and two assists. But with PHS losing star center backs Nick Matese and Jamie Reynolds to graduation, Hamerschlag volunteered to move back to the back line this season to help fill that void. more

Howes Stars for PHS Girls’ Soccer in a Losing Cause As Tigers Battle Hard in Defeat to PDS in CVC Tourney

KACEY PRIME: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Kacey Howes, left, gets ready to boot the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior star Howes scored two goals in the second half as 10th-seeded PHS produced a late rally against seventh-seeded Princeton Day School in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament but came up short in a 3-2 loss. The Tigers, who defeated Hightstown 2-0 in a CVC consolation contest on Monday to move to 5-9-2, host the Peddie School on October 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High girls’ soccer team having lost 2-0 to Princeton Day School in September, it looked like the Tigers were about to be blanked again in the rivalry when the local foes met last Saturday in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament.

Midway through the second half, 10th-seeded PHS trailed the host and seventh-seeded Panthers 3-0 despite generating some good scoring chances on set pieces, including a free kick that flew inches over the goal and a corner kick that resulted in the ball ricocheting off the crossbar. more