March 27, 2024

Coming Off 2 Straight Championship Seasons, Hun Softball Primed for Another Stellar Spring

SAM’S CLUB: Hun School softball player Sam Jolly heads to first base in action last spring. Sophomore infielder Jolly, who batted .672 in 2023 in her debut season for the Raiders, figures to be an offensive catalyst again for Hun this spring. The Raiders host Lawrenceville on March 28 to start their 2024 campaign. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Hun School softball team coming off two superb seasons that have seen the program win consecutive Prep A and Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) titles, the Raiders realize that their foes are primed to knock them off their perch.

“They know that there is a big target on their backs and everybody is after us,” said Hun head coach Kathy Quirk, who guided the Raiders to a 15-2 record in 2023. “They have to be confident in themselves.” more

Responding to University’s Decision To Terminate Nassau Swim Club Lease

To the Editor:

Last week Princeton University told the Nassau Swim Club (NSC) that its lease for the property where the pool is located would not be reconsidered, and would be terminated, in April. Nassau Swim Club is a valuable, much-loved, and important asset for the Princeton community.

Earlier this month Nassau Swim Club’s Board of Directors presented a well-considered five-year business plan to Princeton University administrators to address the NSC’s financial challenges. The board laid out its plan to re-establish its commercial viability, including facility repairs, revenue growth, and fundraising, while maintaining its very successful swim and dive teams, swim lessons, and daily aquatic programs. more

New Construction in Town Historic Districts Should Comply with Preservation Standards

To the Editor:

Princeton has a unique sense of place, and amidst the current wave of new housing and commercial development, let’s ensure that new buildings in historic districts meet the goal in the 2014 Historic Preservation Ordinance to “preserve, enhance, and safeguard the heritage of Princeton by preserving the resources in the community that reflect elements of its historic significance.”

The HP Ordinance specifies maintaining and developing “harmonious settings within historic sites and historic preservation districts,” and managing change in them by “encouraging sensitive alteration and/or new construction.” An addition to a historic structure must be “visually compatible with the structures and places within the district to which it is visually related, and act as a backdrop to and not visually intrude upon such structures and places.” Height, size, mass, roof shape, windows, etc., “shall be visually compatible with structures and places within the district to which they are visually related.” more

Obituaries 3/27/2024

Elizabeth Mellick Belshaw

Elizabeth Mellick Belshaw, 63, known as Lisa, died after a three-year battle with cancer on Friday, March 22, 2024 at her home surrounded by her loving family. A longtime resident of Princeton, New Jersey, she was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on October 2, 1960 and grew up in Dover, Delaware and Rumson, New Jersey before moving to Princeton.

She was a graduate of Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut, ’78 and Connecticut College ’82. Lisa was a summer resident of Prouts Neck, Maine, where she most enjoyed playing tennis, sailing, and taking in the many forms of nature. Lisa previously worked for Vogue magazine, and loved her roles as an elementary teacher at Collegiate School and Spence School in New York City, and Princeton Friends School where she later worked in the development office. Most recently, she worked as the Director of Development for the Princeton Public Library.

From 2003-2012, Lisa lived in London where she raised her two daughters. There, she founded her own business designing fashion accessories and was active in local arts organizations, including Kensington Chelsea Women’s Club. Her lifelong love of art led Lisa to live in Florence, Italy, for two years in her twenties where she studied at Studio Art Centers International. Throughout her life, Lisa was a prolific painter and always supported the arts.

Lisa was the daughter of the late Rt. Rev. G. P. Mellick Belshaw, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Belshaw. She is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth (Lizi) Ham and Alexandra (Zanny) Ham; two brothers, the Rev. Richard Belshaw of Durham, New Hampshire, and George Belshaw of Greenwich, Connecticut; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street in Princeton. Attendees are encouraged to celebrate Lisa by wearing a touch of red, her favorite color. A memorial will be held in Prouts Neck, Maine, in August 2024.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocrahope.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

———

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Sternberg

1941-2024

Dr. Gerald (Jerry) P. Sternberg, of Pennington, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on March 24, 2024 at the age of 82.

Born in Jersey City in 1941 to Max and Rose Sternberg, he graduated from Rutgers University in 1963 and the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in 1967. He then served as a captain in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX.

In 1969 he moved to Pennington, NJ, to start his dental practice. For over 40 years he practiced dentistry while residing just down the road. He served as president of the Mercer Dental Society where he received many awards and recognitions.

Jerry was an avid golfer as well as an accomplished skier. He enjoyed photography, painting, and traveling. He was a voracious reader and a committed patron of the arts. Jerry’s philosophy was always to “pay it forward.” In his spirit of generosity, he donated to many organizations and was a frequent blood donor. He loved life and always had a smile on his face. He was the happiest guy anyone knew.

Jerry is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Lois Sternberg; his three children, Adam (Jenet), Michele
(David), and Lindsey (Doug); and four grandchildren, Jaden, Brenna, Jackson, and Hannah. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Har Sinai Temple, 2421 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ. Interment is private.

Shiva will be observed at the Sternberg residence in Pennington immediately following the service on Sunday, and on Monday and Tuesday from 6:30–8:30 p.m. with a minyan at 7 p.m. on both evenings.

The family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association.

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Gerald-Sternberg.

March 20, 2024

Hoops Hysteria

Members of the Princeton University women’s basketball team shout for joy last Sunday night when they learned their assignment for the NCAA tournament. The Tigers, who topped Columbia 75-58 in the final of the Ivy Madness postseason tourney on Saturday to punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament, are seeded ninth in the Albany 2 Region and will face No. 8 West Virginia in Iowa City, Iowa, on March 23 in a first round contest. For more details on the team and its postseason run, see page 24. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

PPS Seeks to Extend Foster’s Contract

By Donald Gilpin

Acting Superintendent Kathie Foster will be leading the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) through June of 2025 if the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) agrees to waive a state law and allow an extension of her employment time.

Foster, who has served as acting superintendent of PPS since November, has agreed to extend her tenure, and the PPS Board of Education voted 10-0 on Monday to request permission from the NJDOE to keep Foster at the helm for the next 15 months. more

Graduate Hotels Acquired by Hilton For $210 Million

By Anne Levin

Graduate Hotels, which is planning to open a hotel in downtown Princeton this spring, has been acquired for $210 million by global hospitality company Hilton Hotels.

The news that Hilton had bought the brand from Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners (AJ Capital) was released last week, specifying that AJ Capital will continue to own the more than 35 operating and soon-to-open Graduate properties.

So what does this mean for Princeton? more

Young Women’s STEM Conference Features Experiments, Networking, and Lots of Fun

A HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCE: The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s (PPPL) Van de Graaff generator causes the experimenter’s hair to stand on end from the effects of static electricity. Almost 900 young women in grades seven through ten enjoyed hands-on experiments, chemistry demos, presentations, and extensive networking as they participated in PPPL’s Young Women’s Conference in STEM held at Princeton University last Friday. (Michael Livingston/PPPL Department of Communications)

By Donald Gilpin

Nearly 900 aspiring scientists gathered at the Frick Chemistry Laboratory at Princeton University on March 15 for the Young Women’s Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).

Hands-on activities, small group presentations, chemistry demos, a keynote address, and networking throughout the day introduced the young women, seventh to tenth graders, to many practicing engineers and scientists and a variety of STEM careers. more

“Celebration of Black Music” Festival at Rider Honors Composer Julia Perry

CENTENNIAL OF A COMPOSER: The Westminster Jubilee Singers and the Westminster Chapel Choir will take part in special concerts devoted to the music of Westminster alumna Julia Perry this weekend.

By Anne Levin

When Westminster Choir College of Rider University Professor Vinroy D. Brown Jr. began thinking about holding a second annual “Celebration of Black Music” festival with the Westminster Jubilee Singers, it didn’t take long for him to come up with a focus.

Monday, March 25 marks the centennial of the late Julia Perry, a groundbreaking composer considered to be one of Westminster’s most distinguished alumni. Centering the second festival around her was kind of a no-brainer. more

Princeton Fire Department Responds To Three Fires in Town in Recent Weeks

By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton Fire Department has been dispatched to three different fires in Princeton in the last two weeks, with some significant damage occurring and several residents displaced from their homes, but no injuries reported.

The fires, noted by Department of Emergency and Safety Services Director Michael Yeh, included an apartment fire on March 5 at Redding Circle, a gas line fire at a PSE&G work site on Nassau Street in front of the Princeton University Store and Labyrinth Books on March 12, and a house fire on Spruce Lane on March 13.

The Fire Department reported that upon their arrival at the Redding Circle complex at about 7:30 a.m. on March 5, a fire was venting from a rear second floor window and extending into the attic. Crews extinguished the fire in the second floor bedrooms and the extension into the attic.  more

Updated Outdoor Dining Ordinance Passed by Princeton Council

By Anne Levin

At its March 14 meeting, Princeton Council voted in favor of an “Outdoor Dining” ordinance that replaces the “Sidewalk Cafes” ordinance dating back to 1974. The new measure recognizes changes brought on by such factors as the widening of sidewalks on Witherspoon Street, and the increased demand for outdoor dining that was particularly strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ordinance addresses such issues as the width of pedestrian passageways, control of trash, seating, fee structure, furnishings, design guidelines, and the maintenance of the dining areas. It was voted in after removing the allowance of retractable awnings. more

Fun with Lotería

A big crowd was on hand for “Play Lotería with the Art Museum” on Saturday afternoon at Art on Hulfish. The popular Mexican game of chance was called in Spanish and English, and winners received prizes. The event was co-sponsored by Princeton Human Services, the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Center for Modern Aging Princeton. (Photo by Sarah Teo)

Making Connections at BMW’s Banquet of Books: An Ovid’s Birthday Preview

By Stuart Mitchner

…the forgotten book, in the forgotten bookshop, screams to be discovered.

—from The Unquiet Grave

Today is Ovid’s birthday. In the unlikely event that my math is right, he would be 2067 years old. His full name was Publius Ovidius Naso, born March 20, 43 BC, and banished from Rome by the emperor Augustus in AD 8, presumably for writing (and apparently living) The Art of Love (Ars Amatoria). I found a passage in Book 3 that relates to my subject if you tweak the words “path, bark, port, banquet” to fit this “undisguised” Preview Day column on the 2024 Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Book Sale:

“But let us return to our path; I must deal with my subject undisguised, that my wearied bark may reach its port. You may be waiting, in fact, for me to escort you to the banquet, and may be requesting my advice in this respect as well. Come late, and enter when the lights are brought in; delay is a friend to passion; a very great stimulant is delay.”

I know from experience that book dealers and bibliophiles waiting outside previous preview sales have experienced the “stimulant of delay,” especially in the days when a low-numbered ticket to a place near the front of the line was worth getting up for at the proverbial crack of dawn, and believe me, “passion” is not too strong a word for the book lust surging through the line the moment the doors are opened.  more

Boheme Opera NJ Presents Timeless Bizet Opera

By Nancy Plum

The period from the late-18th to mid-19th centuries saw the premature deaths of many highly-prolific composers. Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Bellini — none lived to see the age of 40, but each composed an astounding body of work which has endured to this day. Not the least in this ill-fated group is French composer Georges Bizet who, felled by a heart attack at the age of 36, was never able to enjoy the success of his immensely popular 1875 opera Carmen. Denounced as immoral at its premiere, Carmen has long since risen above scandal to become one of the most widely-performed operas in the repertory.   more

American Repertory Ballet Returns to McCarter Theatre

OLD AND NEW: Emily Cordies-Maso is among the dancers to appear in “Of Swans and Variants” at McCarter Theatre on April 4. (Photo by Harald Schrader)

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) will be on stage at McCarter Theatre on Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m. with “Of Swans and Variants,” a program of classical and contemporary works.

The evening’s double bill features an excerpt from the classic Swan Lake, as well as VARIANTS, choreographed by Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel.

ARB recently performed to sold-out audiences with the premiere of “Classic Beauty” featuring Swan Lake Act II at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. The iconic second act of the full-length ballet, to music by Tchaikovsky, tells the tale of Odette, the swan princess, as she reveals her true form to Prince Siegfried.  more

FOPOS Announces Perspectives On Preservation Photo Contest

“LUNA MOTH”: This photo by Sydney Vine was an entry in Friends of Princeton Open Space’s 2023 photo contest. Entries for this year’s contest, Perspectives on Preservation, must be submitted by September 8.

Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), a nonprofit devoted to land preservation and stewardship in Princeton, has announced its 2024 photo contest, Perspectives on Preservation, sponsored by REI Co-op Princeton.

Now in its ninth year, the annual contest originally coincided with REI’s Opt Outside campaign, which encourages people to skip the mall on the day after Thanksgiving and spend the day outdoors instead. Now accepting photos taken in any season, the Perspectives on Preservation photo contest continues to be sponsored by REI Co-op Princeton and encourages photographers to explore the Mountain Lakes Open Space Area all year round.  more

“Night Forms” Closing Soon at Grounds For Sculpture

MULTI-SENSORY EXPERIENCE: “Night Forms,” the third and final installment of Grounds For Sculpture’s partnership with Klip Collective, closes on April 7.

“Night Forms,” a site-specific multi-sensory experience on view at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) in Hamilton since November 2023, will close soon on April 7. This third and final installment of GFS’ partnership with Klip Collective has more than a dozen installations from the second season’s “Infinite Wave” along with a reprise of Froghead Rainbow, one of the most popular works from Klip’s inaugural project at GFS, “dreamloop.” The exhibition is designed to engage with Grounds For Sculpture’s art and horticulture collections and invites visitors to explore the grounds after dark.  more

“This Looks Familiar” at David Scott Gallery

“ABOVE THE ROOFTOPS”: This oil on canvas painting by Francisco Silva is part of “This Looks Familiar,” his solo exhibit on view at the David Scott Gallery at Berkshire Hathaway on Nassau Street through May 19. An artist reception is on March 23 from 2 to 5 p.m.

David Scott Gallery now presents “This Looks Familiar,” Francisco Silva’s first solo exhibition of paintings, on view through May 19 in the offices of Berkshire Hathaway, 253 Nassau Street. An artist reception is on Saturday, March 23 from 2 to 5 p.m.

After many years working as a graphic designer and web developer, 2019 marked Silva’s return to painting, primarily en plein air. He began with landscapes inspired by his backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail. Since then, his work has grown to include still lifes, urban and rural scenes, architecture and structures, and themes portraying the struggles of the everyday person. Silva’s influences include Edward Hopper and the social realist painters of the 1920s and 1930s. The rich textiles of his Peruvian roots inform his use of vibrant color, and his brushwork is a seamless combination of loose, painterly strokes and controlled detail.  more

Photojournalist Agins Makes Museum Debut at Zimmerli

VISUAL STORYTELLER: James Baldwin introduces his new book, “Evidence of Things Not Seen,” at the home of Lerone Bennett in Chicago 1983. “Michelle V. Agins: Storyteller” is on view through December 8 at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers – New Brunswick. (Photo by Michelle V. Agins)

Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Michelle V. Agins, whose images tell stories about life in America, was the second Black woman ever hired as a staff photographer at the New York Times. She built her career at a time when photo editors gave very few assignments to women — much less to women of color.

The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers — New Brunswick now presents “Michelle V. Agins: Storyteller.” On view through December 8, the exhibit features 66 photographs taken during her 35 years at the Times. Her groundbreaking assignments offer important documentation of race relations, celebrity culture, sports, spirituality, and economic disparity in America. Agins visits the museum for an artist talk and reception on April 21. Visit go.rutgers.edu/artisttalk0421 for details. more

Ottoburger Reopens at New Location in Hopewell, as Customers Line Up to Sample the Tasty Treats

SUCCESS STORY: “We are looking forward to getting back to our original concept and vision of Ottoburger. We will offer accessible value-based real food, with friendly service in an informal, down-to-earth atmosphere.” Maria and Otto Zizak are shown in the new location of Ottoburger, their popular restaurant, which will also have some surprises in its spacious location.

By Jean Stratton

There is a new look at 65 East Broad Street in Hopewell. Ottoburger, the popular restaurant that closed in 2022, is back! It just reopened this month in expanded quarters at the site formerly occupied by the Brick Farm Market.

“There were so many disappointed customers when the original Ottoburger closed, and we kept getting inquiries about it,” says owner Otto Zizak. “People started coming even before we had opened! Now they’re coming all the time. We are so glad to be back!” more

Mitchell Helps PU Women’s Hoops Roll to Ivy Title, Tigers to Face West Virginia in NCAA 1st Round Clash

FOR THE RECORD: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ellie Mitchell, left, hauls in a rebound in recent action. Last Friday, senior forward Mitchell had 12 rebounds to help top-seeded Princeton defeat fourth-seeded Penn 59-54 in the semis of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament. In so doing, Mitchell moved to 1,100 rebounds in her career, the most in Princeton history, male or female. A day later, the Tigers defeated second-seeded and host Columbia 75-58 in the final. Princeton, now 25-4 overall, will be playing in the NCAA tournament where it is seeded ninth in the Albany 2 Region and will face No. 8 West Virginia (24-7 overall, 12-6 Big 12) in Iowa City on March 23. The winner will take on the victor of No 1 Iowa and No. 16s Holy Cross/UT Martin who play a First Four game in the second round. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton University women’s basketball team clinging to a 57-54 lead against Penn in the Ivy Madness postseason tournament last Friday, Ellie Mitchell put her body on the line to help the Tigers.

Princeton senior forward Mitchell hustled to the baseline and took a charge from Jordan Obi, sprawling to the floor as the Tigers regained possession. Madison St. Rose went on to make two free throws for Princeton to close the deal in a 59-54 win. more

After Getting Stunned by Brown in Ivy Madness Semis, PU Men’s Hoops Aims to Rebound as it Hosts UNLV in NIT

BEARING DOWN: Princeton University men’s basketball player Dalen Davis dribbles upcourt in recent action. Last Saturday, freshman guard Davis scored a team-high 21 points in a losing cause as top-seeded Princeton fell 90-81 to fourth-seeded Brown in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament at Columbia. The Tigers, who dropped to 24-4 with the loss to the Bears, will be competing in the National Invitation Tournament where they will host UNLV in a first round contest on March 20. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Mitch Henderson has fond memories of the last time that he played UNLV.

The Princeton University men’s basketball head coach is hoping his Tigers can make good memories against the Runnin’ Rebels when they host them in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) this Wednesday night, March 20, at Jadwin Gym. more

Freshman Midfielder Wade Steps Up with 4 Goals, But PU Men’s Lax Falls to Cornell on Last-Second Tally

TUCKING IN: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Tucker Wade races upfield in recent action. Last Sunday, freshman midfielder Wade scored a career-high four goals but it wasn’t enough as No. 13 Princeton got edged 15-14 by No. 15 Cornell on a last second goal in the Ivy League opener for both teams. The Tigers, now 4-3 overall and 0-1 Ivy, play at Harvard (6-1 overall, 0-1 Ivy) on March 23. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Tucker Wade broke into the starting lineup for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team in the sixth game this season and is making the most of the opportunity.

After tallying two assists in five games off the bench to start his career, freshman midfielder Wade scored two goals in a 14-8 win over Rutgers on March 10 in his first college start.

“It is always exciting to play more and be a part of this program,” said Wade, a 6’0, 195-pound native of Bethesda, Md. “I wouldn’t want to do it with any other team.” more

Playing Harder, Smarter Down the Stretch, Stuart Basketball Ended Season with a Bang

MAKING A STATEMENT: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Taylor States dribbles past a foe in a game this winter. Sophomore forward States averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds this season in helping Stuart go 6-7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While the Stuart Country Day School basketball team got off to a shaky start this winter, the Tartans ended the season with a bang.

Stuart lost two of its first three games and had a 3-7 record in early February, but ended the campaign with three straight lopsided wins.

Tartan head coach Tony Bowman acknowledged that his squad was out of synch in the early going this winter. more

With Young Players Gaining Valuable Experience, PDS Boys’ Hoops Has Solid Foundation in Place

JORDAN RULES: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Jordan Owens heads to the rim in a game this winter. Sophomore guard Owens scored 212 points this season to help the Panthers go 7-16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It turned out to be a season of growth for the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team as its lineup featured young players in key roles.

In reflecting on the campaign which saw three freshmen, a sophomore, and two juniors see the bulk of playing time, PDS head coach Eugene Burroughs liked the way youth was served this winter.
“I think my kids did a great job of progressing throughout the year,” said Burroughs, whose team posted a 7-16 record and made the Prep B state semis. “When you look at our scores and watch how we played earlier in the year, it was more focused on playing hard and competing. Then we shifted into the next phase, defending and rebounding at a good level. We improved in that area and then we shifted to focusing on offense.  more