March 27, 2024

Council Passes Resolution for New Ad Hoc Public Art Study Committee

By Anne Levin

At its Monday, March 25 meeting, Princeton Council voted in favor of a resolution creating an Ad Hoc Public Art Study Committee.

The group, which is not permanent, is chaired by James Steward, director of the Princeton University Art Museum. Adam Welch, who heads the Arts Council of Princeton, is vice-chair. Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros is on the committee, along with Princeton’s Planning Director Justin Lesko and area residents Jody Erdman, Karey Maurice, Tom Moran, Elizabeth Allan, and Ronah Harris.

Erdman is a real estate agent for Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty, and worked for Sotheby’s Auction House in New York. Artist Maurice has worked with the Trenton Artist Workshop Association. Allan is a curator and the deputy director of Morven Museum and Garden, and Moran works as the public arts coordinator for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Harris works primarily in fiber and ceramics, and is the founder of Play Pattern LLC, a digital platform for children to learn arts and technology. more

Fairgrown Farm and The Chubby’s Project Provide Nourishing Food to Those in Need

HEALTHFUL FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY: Staff members of Fairgrown Farm, which is partnering with The Chubby’s Project to provide weekly farm shares at no cost to local families who are food-insecure.

By Anne Levin

For the past five years, Fairgrown Farm in Hopewell has been operating a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for members who pay upwards of $26 a week, during the summer months, for their share of the season’s harvest. Participants get a box of freshly-picked vegetables and fruit from Fairgrown Farm and the several others with which they collaborate across New Jersey.

James Klett, who started Fairgrown Farm seven years ago with his brother, Alex, is enthusiastic about the popular CSA program. But he believes that fresh, nourishing produce should not be limited to those who can afford the weekly supplement. Aware that more than 800,000 people in New Jersey are food insecure, Fairgrown Farm has partnered with The Chubby’s Project, a Hopewell-based nonprofit dedicated to food justice. The joint initiative is designed to provide farm shares for area families who would otherwise not be able to afford them. Fundraising for the project is currently underway.  more

Princeton Author Emily Raboteau to Discuss New Collection of Essays

By Anne Levin

Emily Raboteau

Emily Raboteau was 10 years old when her father, Princeton University Religion Professor Albert Raboteau, gave her and her brothers “the Talk.” The subject was the discrepancy in society’s treatment of Blacks and whites.

“Because of white supremacy, some people would think negatively of us, no matter how smart we were, no matter how poised, how well-dressed, well-spoken, or well-behaved,” Raboteau writes in her recently published book Lessons for Survival: Mothering Against “the Apocalypse.” “We would have to work twice as hard to get half as far. There were different rules for Black people and, in particular, for young Black men. The streets were not as safe for my brothers as they were for their white friends…. As a female, I would be preyed upon by men who would try to take advantage of me, and as a light-skinned Black girl who could pass for white, I would hear white people spewing all kinds of ugly untruths about Black folks, whose dignity I would have to defend.” more

Herrontown Woods Celebration Features Dragons, Lanterns, Community Bonding

WOOD DRAGONS AND LANTERNS: Herrontown Woods recently hosted a Lantern Festival and year of the wood dragon celebration, welcoming more than 200 visitors for a dragon parade, traditional Chinese songs and games, a tea party, and a festive community gathering in nature. (Photo by Kristin Ohrt for Herrontown Woods)

By Donald Gilpin

Danni Zhao, Montgomery resident and founder of United Moms, was a frequent visitor to Herrontown Woods with her young family. Inge Regan, Friends of Herrontown Woods (FOHW) board member, often joined them and they chatted as they strolled through the woods.

“As we walked together we got this idea,” said Zhao. “2024 is the year of the wood dragon, and this is the perfect time and Herrontown Woods is the perfect place to celebrate the dragon year in the woods. And Inge suggested we organize this event together.” more

Bloom Local Campaign Ushers in Spring

PRINCETON IN BLOOM: The Garden Club of Princeton’s Spring French Market on March 28 and the Mother’s Day French Market on May 9 are among the springtime events highlighted in the Bloom Local initiative. (Photo courtesy of the Garden Club of Princeton)

Experience Princeton, the nonprofit that promotes the town through placemaking, marketing, and economic development, has begun the Bloom Local campaign in collaboration with the municipality. The campaign runs through May 26 and celebrates the arrival of spring while fostering civic pride, kindness, and community.

 more

Found at the Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Book Sale: A Poet of Mountains and His Wife

By Stuart Mitchner

Twenty years ago, I wrote about “Billy Collins and the Homeless Poets of Bryn Mawr,” my first article on an event that I’ve covered ever since, including the 2020 sale that was canceled after two days because of the pandemic.

Two years ago, my title was “How I Spent $8 at the BMW Book Sale and Came Home Happy.” This year I showed up at 3 p.m. on opening day, spent $13, and came home with a Royal Shakespeare Company curiosity ($1); a paperback copy of the play In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer ($3); a Limited Edition of Daniel Defoe’s Diary of Moll Flanders, illustrated and signed by Reginald Marsh ($6); and a “homeless poet” named Michael Roberts ($3).

Twin Ghost Towns

By the time I arrived at Stuart Country Day School last Wednesday, both gyms were virtually deserted, twin ghost towns, except for volunteers restocking the plundered tables. In Collectors Corner, the rarities I’d noticed on my visit the previous Sunday had been snapped up. Gone (no surprise) was the first hardcover edition of Jack Kerouac’s The Dharma Bums in the original dust jacket, priced at a fraction of the $400 being asked online for copies in similar condition. Among the items buyers had passed over were Freddy Goes to the North Pole and three Signet paperback mysteries by Mickey Spillane — a quick study of my adolescent reading habits, from Freddy the Pig and Jinx the Cat to Mike Hammer.  more

Environmental Film Festival Is in its 18th Year at Library

VISUAL STORYTELLING: “The Wonder and the Worry,” among the features in the upcoming Princeton Environmental Film Festival, follows the careers of former National Geographic Editor-in-Chief Chris Johns and his daughter Louise, a young freelance photographer. (Photo by Saskia Madlener)

The Princeton Environmental Film Festival, a signature Princeton Public Library event, opens Friday, April 5 and runs through Sunday, April 14. The 18th annual festival features 22 films: eight feature-length documentaries and 14 short films.

Films will be screened in person at the library and streamed virtually, with some films available in both formats. Streamed selections will be available to view April 8-14. There will also be an off-site screening at the Princeton Garden Theatre on April 7. more

South African Star Soprano Brings Program to Richardson

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE: Golda Schultz, soprano, makes her Princeton University Concerts debut with pianist Jonathan Ware in “This Be Her Verse.” (Photo by Dario Acosta)

Making their Princeton University Concerts (PUC) debuts, South African star soprano Golda Schultz and pianist Jonathan Ware will bring the original song cycle, “This Be Her Verse” to PUC audiences on Monday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium.

The program includes works by female composers Clara Schumann, Emilie Mayer, Rebecca Clarke, Nadia Boulanger, and Kathleen Tagg. It reflects Schultz’s great love of lieder, concert singing, and storytelling; she is as at home in solo recitals as she is starring in opera productions, including the Metropolitan Opera’s Porgy and Bess and the Royal Opera House’s Così fan tutte. more

More Choreographers On Lewis Center Roster

ANOTHER ROUND: Members of BRKFST Dance Company are among the three additional artists announced as choreographers in residence at Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts. (Photo by Shane Wynn)

The Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Dance at Princeton University announces three additional artists as Caroline Hearst Choreographers-in-Residence for the 2023-2024 academic year: Roderick George, Gabrielle Lamb, and BRKFST Dance Company.

All the artists are creating new works for Princeton students or guest teaching in spring classes. They join Amy Hall Garner, Shamel Pitts, and Donna Uchizono, who were Hearst Choreographers-in-Residence during the fall semester, and whose work was featured in the Princeton Dance Festival in December. more

“Inspired Together” Exhibit at Princeton Public Library

“SUNCATCHER”: This acrylic painting by William Plank is featured in “Inspired Together,” his joint exhibit with Helene Plank, on view at Princeton Public Library through June 1. An art talk and exhibit opening are on March 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Artists Helene Plank and William Plank discuss “Inspired Together,” a joint exhibit of their work, on Wednesday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Princeton Public Library. The presentation will be in the Community Room prior to the exhibit’s official opening in the second floor Reading Room.

Helene Plank gives new life to discarded buttons and beads by combining them to form intricate mosaics on canvas. The materials are hand sewn, rather than glued, to the canvas and are influenced by artist Georges Seurat and his techniques of optical blending. more

West Windsor Arts Presents “Leave Your Mark” Art Show

“A WANDER THROUGH THE WATER LILIES”: This work by Fiona Clark, artist-in-resident at West Windsor Arts (WWA), is featured in “Leave Your Mark,” the Member Art Show on view April 9 through June 1 at WWA. Clark is also the show’s juror. An opening reception is on April 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Artists have the unique opportunity to leave their mark in the world through their artwork. Fiona Clark, West Windsor Arts’ artist-in-residence, took that concept a step further when conceiving “Leave Your Mark,” West Windsor Arts’ 2024 Member Art Show.

“For this show, artists were asked to submit work that employs different techniques of mark-making,” said Clark, West Windsor Arts’ first artist-in-residence and the juror of the show. “What that means is open to interpretation, but there needs to be some kind of a tactical component — brushstrokes, pencil marks, fingerprints, woven fabric. It will be exciting to see the artist’s hand in their artworks.” more

Animal and Landscape Paintings at Artists’ Gallery

“THIS WAY THROUGH”: This watercolor by Beatrice Bork is featured in “Immersion,” her dual exhibition with Michael Schweigart, on view April 4 through May 5 at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville. An opening reception is on April 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street in Lambertville, will present “Immersion,” a joint exhibition featuring the works of Beatrice Bork and Michael Schweigart, April 4 through May 5. An opening reception is on Saturday, April 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

In this exhibit, Bork delves deeper into nature close to heart and home. Her watercolors go beyond her meticulously rendered subjects, with underlying themes that make her art both poetic and captivating. In regards to her work, she said, “The careful rendering of my subject and its character, for me, is a reflection of the love and respect I have for animals. The themes in my paintings are imbued with personal reflection — and tend to resonate with nostalgia, humor, hope, or a moment in time.” more

“Paisaje Imaginario (Imaginary Landscape)” at Gourgaud Gallery

“PAISAJE IMAGINARIO (IMAGINARY LANDSCAPE)”: This painting by Chilean artist Facundo Cabrera is featured in an exhibition of his works at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury March 28 through April 25. A reception is on Sunday, April 7 from 1-3 p.m.

Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury, presents “Paisaje Imaginario (Imaginary Landscape),” an exhibition of works by Chilean Artist Facundo Cabrera, on view March 28 through April 25. An opening reception is scheduled for Sunday, April 7 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Cabrera was born in Chile in 1934, and at a young age migrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he completed his art studies at the School of Fine Arts. He said he always had a passion for art and painting, and through his youth and education, he won several art contests. A major career highlight was painting a portrait of Eva Perone (Argentina’s first lady from 1946 to 1952), which earned him a personal letter of recognition from Perone. Upon his arrival to the United States in 1969, Cabrera created oil paintings of scenic landscapes and portraits for individuals and families until having his own family in the 1980s, and then only painting as a side hobby.  more

Full Service Residential and Commercial Work is Available from Greenleaf Painters, LLC

TEAMWORK: “Greenleaf Painters works closely with you to ensure your satisfaction. We use high performance paint that is good for you and for the environment. You can count on excellent results.” Shown, from left, are members of the Greenleaf team: Ryan Munn, operations manager; Sean Carty and Frank Danser, project managers; and Jonathan Shenk, president and owner.

By Jean Stratton

Jonathan Shenk, owner of Greenleaf Painters, LLC, isn’t only “a painter for all seasons,” he is “a man for all seasons.” His unique background sets him apart in many ways.

The son of Mennonite missionaries, Jonathan was born in Somalia, and also lived in Kenya. He later moved with his family to the Lancaster, Pa., area.

As a young man, he taught English literature at a high school in the South Bronx in New York, and later studied at the Union Theological Seminary, also in New York. After ordination as a minister, he was posted to a Presbyterian church in Princeton Junction as an associate pastor.

After six years, he decided to head in a new direction, and established his own painting company. Greenleaf Painters, LLC came into existence, and a new adventure began. more

PU Women’s Hoops Falls to West Virginia in NCAAs as Mountaineers’ 13-0 3rd Quarter Run Proves Pivotal

PRESSED OUT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose battles to get past a Columbia defender in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, sophomore guard St. Rose scored a team-high 22 points but it wasn’t enough as ninth-seeded Princeton fell 63-53 to eighth-seeded West Virginia in an NCAA first round contest in Iowa City, Iowa. The Tigers finished the winter with a 25-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

A major point of emphasis for the Princeton University women’s basketball team as it prepared to face West Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament last Saturday was dealing with the Mountaineers’ stifling press.

“It’s certainly going to be challenging,” said Princeton head coach Carla Berube, reflecting on the Mountaineer defense in a media conference last Friday. more

Tiger Men’s Hoops Falls to UNLV in NIT Opener, but Tigers Proud of Achievements in 24-5 Season

ROUGH NIGHT WITH VEGAS: Princeton University men’s basketball player Matt Allocco looks to get around a UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) defender last Wednesday as Princeton hosted the Runnin’ Rebels in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament. Senior guard Allocco scored nine points but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell 84-77 to UNLV to end the winter with a 24-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s basketball team’s hopes for another memorable postseason run ended last Wednesday night.

The Tigers, who reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament last year, suffered an 84-77 loss to UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at Jadwin Gym.

“We were punching above our weight all season,” said Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson as he reflected on the setback. “We showed up tonight. I mean we’ve been a little banged up and had some stuff going. We just lost some juice here at the end, but that doesn’t take away from what this group is and does.” more

While Loss to UNLV in NIT First Round Stung, PU Men’s Hoops has Good Foundation in Place

EXCELLENT PROSPECTS: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee dribbles past a UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) player last Wednesday as Princeton hosted theRunnin’ Rebels in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament. Sophomore guard Lee scored 10 points with six assists and two rebounds in a losing cause as the Tigers fell 84-77 to the Runnin’ Rebels. The defeat left Princeton with a final record of 24-5. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In the waning seconds of the Princeton University men’s basketball team’s 84-77 loss to UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) last Wednesday in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, senior stars Matt Allocco and Zach Martini left the court at Jadwin Gym for the final time to an extended standing ovation.

But while the exit of the two senior stalwarts will leave a huge void as they were part of three Ivy League regular season championship teams and the historic run to the NCAA Sweet 16 last March, the cupboard is hardly bare for the Tigers. more

PHS Girls’ Swimmer Tangen, Tiger Star Wrestler Mele Get Nod as Town Topics’ Leading Winter Performers

BREAKING FREE: Princeton High girls’ swimmer Kyleigh Tangen churns to the finish in a 100 freestyle race this winter. Senior star Tangen’s sprinting prowess helped PHS go 14-1 as it won a third straight Mercer County title and advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group B state final. Tangen won the 50 and 100 freestyle titles at the county meet and won those two races in the 89-81 loss to Chatham in the state final. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Kyleigh Tangen was determined to be the best version of herself this winter in her final season with the Princeton High girls’ swimming team.

“I would like to end on a good note; something I struggle with every time I race is I think of things that could be better,” said senior standout Tangen. “I am worried that when I end the season the only thing on my mind will be how can I do this better next time but there won’t be a next time.”

In looking to fine-tune her sprinting, Tangen branched out in her events this winter, swimming in the 200 freestyle in addition to the 50 and 100 free. more

Developer’s Proposed Design Plan For 344 Nassau Needs Reworking

To the Editor:

When I drive down Route 27 from Kingston, I arrive in a neighborhood of lovely and varied 19th and 18th century homes and commercial buildings and I know I have reached Princeton. Jugtown wasn’t always part of Princeton, though. In the 18th century it was its own place, also known as Queenston. Since the 1980s, Jugtown has been recognized locally, statewide, and nationally as an historic place. While change is inevitable, historic preservation ordinances were put in place to help manage change in historic neighborhoods such as Jugtown.  more

Sharing Concerns About Proposed Four-Story Addition in Jugtown/Queenston Neighborhood

To the Editor:

As longtime residents of Princeton (we moved here 20 years ago), we are writing to indicate our profound concern over the proposed 16,000-square-foot, four-story addition to 344 Nassau Street, on the NE corner of Harrison Street. The developer’s application proposes 15 residential units, of which three would be affordable. The proposal also includes 15 parking spaces, six for commercial use, in an area where the adjacent streets have no on-street parking. Further, the proposal reduces commercial space in the existing building.  more

Princeton University Should Rethink Decision to Close Nassau Swim Club

To the Editor:

Shame on Princeton University. For more than 50 years, Nassau Swim Club has provided Princeton-area residents, Institute for Advanced Study faculty and staff and the University community with a diverse, peaceful, sylvan escape from the heat and hustle and bustle of a New Jersey summer. Nassau, too, provides local kids, exercise, activity, and community engagement unparalleled in today’s screen-centric culture.

In October the University informed the Nassau Swim Club Board of Directors that Princeton would terminate the club’s lease in April 2024. The University, which owns the land on which the pool sits cited the pool’s failure to pay taxes owed as the reason for the closure. more

While PHS Baseball Doesn’t Boast Strength in Numbers, Tigers Feature Quality Performers All Over the Diamond

HAMMER TIME: Princeton High baseball player Chase Hamerschlag takes a big swing in a 2023 game. Sophomore Hamerschlag figures to be a key performer for the Tigers this spring. PHS plays at Ewing on April 1 to start its 2024 season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton High baseball team may not boast strength in numbers this spring, Dom Capuano believes his squad possesses plenty of quality.

“We only have 13 varsity guys but I think we have a good nucleus,” said PHS head coach Capuano, who guided the Tigers to a 6-16 record last year. “The one positive of only having a small group is they can grow together and be closer. That definitely showed yesterday in the scrimmage (against Montgomery on March 21). I was happy about it, we just need to continue forward.” more

101: Fund Executive Board Thanks Princeton University, Community for Support

To the Editor:

On behalf of the entire 101: Fund Executive Board, we extend our most heartfelt gratitude to Princeton University and the incredibly generous contribution of $500,000 to the 101: Fund over the next five years. This transformative gift will make a profound difference in the lives of countless Princeton High School graduates and families in the community. Such meaningful support will enable us to provide essential tuition assistance for college. more

Starting 2024 Season with a Gauntlet of Tough Foes, Hun Baseball Looking to Develop Early Momentum

WILLPOWER: Hun School baseball player Will Kraemer makes contact in a game last spring. Junior infielder Kraemer, who hit .333 last year, will be looking to have another strong season for the Raiders this spring. Hun gets its 2024 campaign underway by playing at Lawrenceville on March 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Hun School baseball team opens its 2024 season this week, it is facing a string of early tests.

“This is probably the most challenging schedule we have had, especially in the beginning of the year, that first week is a gauntlet,” said Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto. “We start off at Lawrenceville (on March 28) and then we play St Peter’s (on April 1) and then we play Pennington (on April 3) and then we play the Hill School (Pa.) (on April 5). Those are going to be some really difficult opponents and then we go down to D.C. and play a doubleheader (on April 6) against two of the better teams in that area, Landon School (Md.) and Jackson-Reed High School (Washington, D.C.). Having success in that first week will be a huge jump off point and catalyst. Either way, we will learn a lot about ourselves as a team.” more

Nassau Swim Club is Essential Part of PU’s Value, Goodwill Toward Wider Community

To the Editor:

Last week, one month after you published the devastating news “Nassau Swim Club Lease Terminated,” I was again dismayed to hear from those fighting to save this community pool that Princeton University had again refused to grant them the three-year extension for which they have pleaded for months, to give them a more reasonable amount of time in which to organize “members who expressed willingness to support the club with a range of volunteer tasks as well as financial contributions; plans for a capital fundraising campaign among current members and NSC alumni; optimistic plans for a strengthened 2024 budget; extensive plans for increasing membership in the University and IAS communities and in the larger Princeton area; and innovative programs for children” [February 21, page 1]. more