February 5, 2025

TAKING A DIP: This young swimmer is developing her aquatic skills under the careful guidance of an experienced instructor at the Goldfish Swim School – Princeton. “The water in the pool is salt-generated into chlorine, and this is gentler on the skin. Nex-Gen chlorine generators produce liquid chlorine from salt,” says BillieJo Goudy, general manager and safety coordinator.

By Jean Stratton

It’s never too soon to get into the water!

That is the underlying principle of Goldfish Swim School — Princeton, which teaches children from 4 months to 12 years old to swim.

The sooner children get into the water, the better. This helps them to overcome any fear they may have, points out BillieJo Goudy, general manager and safety coordinator of Goldfish Swim School – Princeton, located at 311 Nassau Park Boulevard, Unit 5. more

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT: Princeton University women’s squash star Zeina Zein, left, enjoys the moment with Princeton head coach Gail Ramsay after she won the College Squash Association (CSA) individual national championship last week in New York City. Sophomore Zein topped Stanford’s Riya Navani 3-0 (16-14, 11-4, 11-8) in the final which took place on January 28 at Grand Central Station. Zein is the first Tiger individual champion since 2001, when Julia Beaver ’01 won the last of her three national titles. The national individual championship trophy is named the Ramsay Cup after coach Ramsay who won the national title in all four years of her collegiate career at Penn State. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

It was still early in the season and early in her career, but Zeina Zein captured her first women’s College Squash Association (CSA) individual national championship last week.

The Princeton University sophomore from Alexandria, Egypt, avenged a pair of earlier losses to become the first Tiger champion since 2001 when Julia Beaver ’01 won the last of her three national titles. Zein’s Princeton teammates made the trip up from school to see her finish off Stanford’s Riya Navani in three games — 16-14, 11-4, 11-8 — at Grand Central Station in New York on January 28. more

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Travis Petrone looks to pass the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, Petrone tallied four points and had four assists on his Senior Day as PHS fell 69-46 to Sayreville. The Tigers, who moved to 2-16 with the loss, are starting play in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament this week where they were seeded 12th and slated to play at fifth-seeded Ewing in a first round contest in February 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Travis Petrone was honored last Saturday afternoon during the Senior Day ceremony for the Princeton High boys’ basketball team, his thoughts turned to elementary school.

“Senior Day was awesome, it is one of the last times I will ever get to go on the basketball court with my childhood friends Jonny Feldman and Griffin Ettenberg,” said senior guard Petrone. “I have been friends with them and playing basketball with them since the first grade. It is awesome to start a varsity game with them.”

Petrone and his teammates knew they faced an awesome challenge taking on Sayreville who brought a 15-2 record into the contest. more

SPEARHEADING SUCCESS: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Cassie Speir controls the puck in recent action. Last Monday, senior star Speir tallied two goals and an assist as PHS defeated Newark East Side 4-0 in the quarterfinal round of the Annis Cup. The Tigers, who improved to 4-6 with the win, will play at Madison in the Annis Cup semis on February 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Standing just off the ice at Hobey Baker Rink, Cassie Speir was overcome with emotion last week as she reflected on playing her final regular season game in the building for the Princeton High girls’ hockey team.

“My sister is a sophomore and she became the team manager because we are really close, I am going to miss her a lot next year,” said Speir with her voice cracking and tears coming to her eyes. “It is an amazing rink and I am so lucky to play here.” more

OH YES: Princeton University women’s hockey player Emerson O’Leary tracks down the puck in recent action. Last Friday, junior forward O’Leary tallied the game-winning goal and had two assists as Princeton defeated Dartmouth 3-2 in overtime. The Tigers, who defeated Harvard 2-0 last Saturday to improve to 16-8-1 overall and 10-7-1 ECAC Hockey, play at Clarkson on February 7 and at St. Lawrence on February 8. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Emerson O’Leary has emerged as a key playmaker for the Princeton University women’s hockey team.

Skating on a line with Issy Wunder and Mackenzie Alexander, junior forward O’Leary was second on the team in assists with 22 coming into last Friday’s game against Dartmouth. more

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton High boys’ basketball player Travis Petrone looks to pass the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, Petrone tallied four points and had four assists on his Senior Day as PHS fell 69-46 to Sayreville. The Tigers, who moved to 2-16 with the loss, are starting play in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament this week where they were seeded 12th and slated to play at fifth-seeded Ewing in a first round contest in February 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Travis Petrone was honored last Saturday afternoon during the Senior Day ceremony for the Princeton High boys’ basketball team, his thoughts turned to elementary school.

“Senior Day was awesome, it is one of the last times I will ever get to go on the basketball court with my childhood friends Jonny Feldman and Griffin Ettenberg,” said senior guard Petrone. “I have been friends with them and playing basketball with them since the first grade. It is awesome to start a varsity game with them.” more

SPEARHEADING SUCCESS: Princeton High girls’ hockey player Cassie Speir controls the puck in recent action. Last Monday, senior star Speir tallied two goals and an assist as PHS defeated Newark East Side 4-0 in the quarterfinal round of the Annis Cup. The Tigers, who improved to 4-6 with the win, will play at Madison in the Annis Cup semis on February 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Standing just off the ice at Hobey Baker Rink, Cassie Speir was overcome with emotion last week as she reflected on playing her final regular season game in the building for the Princeton High girls’ hockey team.

“My sister is a sophomore and she became the team manager because we are really close, I am going to miss her a lot next year,” said Speir with her voice cracking and tears coming to her eyes. “It is an amazing rink and I am so lucky to play here.” more

PRESSURE DEFENSE: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Abdoulaye Seydi, left, puts the pressure on an opponent in recent action. Last Thursday, senior forward Seydi posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as PDS defeated Steinert 58-46. PDS, who improved to 8-7 with the win, is starting action in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament where they are seeded eighth and slated to host ninth-seeded Robbinsville in a first round contest on February. In addition, the Panthers will be competing in the Prep B state tourney, heading to Doane Academy on February 9 for a semifinal contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Helping the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball outscore Steinert 18-0 in the second quarter last Thursday evening gave Abdoulaye Seydi a sense of how good the Panthers can be.

“I think it has just been a culmination of what we have been working toward this season, just focusing on defense and really trying to move without the ball,” said PDS senior forward Seydi. “Especially as we move towards playoffs and state tournaments, we really just want to elevate that level. I think that is what we did in the second quarter.” more

ADDING UP: Hun School girls’ basketball player Addi McNally dribbles upcourt in a game last season. Last Wednesday, junior guard McNally tallied 16 points to help Hun defeat Stuart County Day 68-46. The Raiders, who topped Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 65-52 last Saturday to improve to 20-5, were slated to host the Perkiomen School (Pa.) on February 4 before starting action in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) tournament next week. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Addi McNally came out firing as the Hun School girls’ basketball team hosted Stuart County Day School last Wednesday.

Sharp-shooting Hun junior guard McNally drained three 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the contest, helping the Raiders jump out to an 18-0 lead. more

January 29, 2025

By Donald Gilpin

 In unofficial results from a Tuesday, January 28 special election, Princeton residents cast their ballots in favor of all three parts of a plan that will provide $89.1 million for repairs, upgrades, and expansion to address capacity issues in the Princeton Public Schools (PPS).

“This outcome shows that voters understand that the continued success of Princeton Public Schools is vital to the community,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools Kathie Foster. “With these improvements, our district can prepare for growth and prioritize the neighborhood elementary schools and innovative educational experiences that our community values.” more

Kingsessing Morris Men dancers were part of the annual celebration on Sunday afternoon at Terhune Orchards on Cold Soil Road. The festival follows the ancient Anglo-Saxon tradition of protecting the trees to ensure a good harvest in the coming year. Attendees discuss their favorite winter activities in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)

By Donald Gilpin

Black History Month began as a tradition of Black teachers in the segregated South in the 19th and early 20th century commemorating important people and events in Black history during the week of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12) and Frederick Douglass’ birthday (February 14).

Almost 100 years ago in 1926, Black History Week was created when African American historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced that the second week of February would be recognized as “Negro History Week.”

In February 1970 Black History Week expanded to become a full month at the urging of Black United Students at Kent State University, and in 1976 President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month during the celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. He urged all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”  more

AWARD-WINNING SCIENTISTS: Princeton High School Seniors, from left, Benjamin Murphy Gitai, Yurai Gutierrez Morales, and Amy Lin were in the nation’s top 300 teen scientists in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search. On January 23, Morales was selected as one of 40 finalists, and she will travel to Washington, D.C., in March to compete to become one of the top 10 winners in the country. (Photo courtesy of Mark Eastburn)

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton High School (PHS) Senior Yurai Gutierrez Morales has been selected as one of 40 finalists nationwide in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, competing for a top prize of $250,000.

Based on the originality and creativity of their scientific research, as well as their achievement and leadership inside and outside the classroom, the finalists, who were announced on January 23, were selected from a record number of 2,471 entrants. more

TESTING THE WATERS: Volunteer scientists have been busy monitoring the effects of winter road salting on freshwater streams and lakes. Some 550 participants have collected more than 3,000 chloride measurements across New Jersey.

By Anne Levin

Those white crystals that proliferate on pavements and roadways, to keep vehicles from sliding and humans from falling on winter ice and snow, are the topic of a series in which The Watershed Institute is closely involved.

Winter Salt Week, which runs through Friday, January 31, aims to raise awareness of the environmental consequences of road and sidewalk salt. “Shovel More, Salt Less, Help Keep Freshwater Fresh” is the logo of the initiative, which urges the public not to stop using the salt — just to use less of it. more

POETRY AND HISTORY: The Arts Council of Princeton and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society have partnered on the publication of two books honoring the legacy of the community. The Rev. Gregory S. Smith, shown at right, is the author of a book of poetry, for which the cover was designed by his son. Arts Council Director Adam Welch has written a brief socio-political history “zine” about the neighborhood.

By Anne Levin

Everyone is invited to a book launch party on Sunday, February 2 at the Arts Council of Princeton, where two new publications celebrating the Witherspoon-Jackson Historic District, home base to the nonprofit, will be officially unveiled.

The Rev. Gregory S. Smith, who grew up in the neighborhood, has written a book of poems, titled Reflections from a Vibrant Past. Arts Council Director Adam Welch’s 4-by-6-inch, 56-page “zine,” simply titled Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood, tells the history of the area through artfully arranged text, reproduced maps, photographs, and illustrations. more

By Anne Levin

In a brief meeting Monday evening, January 27, Princeton Council approved several resolutions involving the fourth round of the town’s affordable housing obligation, solid and bulk waste collection, tennis in Community Park, and other initiatives.

The Council also opted to table an item on the consent agenda involving a resolution for the appointment of an Emergency Management Council.

Some Council members have received calls from citizens concerned about the presence of several police and other official cars in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. Councilwoman Leticia Fraga explained that the proliferation of these vehicles was due to training, and “nothing to be concerned about. This was actually part of a training that the county is conducting and Princeton is hosting,” she said. “It is for defensive tactics training required by the AG [attorney general].” more

“IN IMAGINARY CIRCUMSTANCES”: Jacqueline Knox’s Adult Acting Collective students work on an improv exercise in McCarter’s Berlind Theatre Rehearsal Room, as they step out of their comfort zones and hone their skills every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Photo by Genevieve Bouchonville)

By Donald Gilpin

It’s 6:15 p.m. on a cold January evening, and the students are starting to gather in the rehearsal room at McCarter’s Berlind Theatre for their weekly Adult Acting Collective class. This is not a typical group of students, not even a typical collection of aspiring actors.

Ranging in ages from their 20s to 80s, this group is diverse. “We come from all different walks of life and different backgrounds,” said Simone, who has spent a long career in corporate life and has been taking classes at McCarter for the past few semesters. “We have pharmaceutical executives, writers, lawyers, scientists, and more.” more

By Stuart Mitchner

McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
Doctor said, “McKinley, death is on the wall…”

Bob Dylan put President McKinley back in the national consciousness a few years ago in his song “Key West (Philosopher Pirate),” taking the first line from Charlie McCoy’s “White House Blues,” except in McCoy’s version the second line was “Doc said to McKinley, ‘I can’t find that ball,’ “ meaning the second of two bullets fired at close range into the president’s abdomen on September 6, 1901. It happened at the Temple of Music on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. McKinley died on September 14, 1901, a hundred years to the week of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

A New York City surgeon named Charles McBurney, whose discovery of the diagnostic spot for appendicitis is known as McBurney’s Point, was blamed for misleading the press and public with his claim on September 10 that McKinley was “out of danger.” McCoy lets him off the hook by simply having the Doc say “Mr. McKinley, better pass in your checks / You’re bound to die, bound to die.”

After the current president put McKinley’s name back in play on January 20, I checked history.com, which says the highest peak in North America was actually first named Mount McKinley in 1896 by a gold prospector celebrating McKinley’s recent capture of the Republican nomination for president; the name stuck and became official in 1917. In 2015, the Obama administration renamed the mountain Denali, a name the Alaskans had historically championed, which translates “roughly to ‘The Great One.’ “ more

“HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES”: Performances are underway for “Here There Are Blueberries.” Produced by McCarter Theatre with La Jolla Playhouse, and directed by Moisés Kaufman, the play runs through February 9 at McCarter’s Matthews Theatre. Above, from left: Karl Höcker (Scott Barrow), adjutant to the Auschwitz commandant, leaves behind photos that are examined at the Holocaust Memorial Museum by Judy Cohen (Barbara Pitts), Tilman Taube (Luke Forbes), and Rebecca Erbelding (Delia Cunningham). As images are examined, actors (including Nemuna Ceesay) quote comments by the onscreen historical figures. (Photo by Dave Tavani)

By Donald H. Sanborn III

In 2007 the U.S. Holocaust Museum received a mysterious photo album. Retrieved by a U.S. counterintelligence officer, who donated it to the museum on the condition of anonymity, the album contained 116 photos taken at the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp.

The photos contained none of the images conveying the gruesomeness of the camp. Instead, they showed Nazi officers looking blithe and relaxed — as though they were on vacation — leading what appear to be normal lives, far removed from their grisly duties.  more

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS: A musical about the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel is on stage at the State Theatre in New Brunswick on February 7 at 8 p.m.

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Simon & Garfunkel Story on Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m.

New Brunswick is among 60 U.S. cities on the current North American tour of the immersive concert-style tribute show, which covers the duo’s humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry, to their success as one of the best-selling music groups of the’60s, as well as their dramatic split in 1970.  more

LUTE DUETS : Daniel Swenberg is one of two to perform at the Unitarian Church on February 16.

The Dryden Ensemble returns with its new artistic director, Daniel Swenberg, in a program entitled “A 26-Course Feast: Baroque Lute Duets” on Sunday, February 16 at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 50 Cherry Hill Road. Admission is free, though donations are accepted.

Lutenists Swenberg and Dušan Balarin will perform 17th- and 18th-century duets for the Baroque lute. While performances of Baroque lute duets are extremely rare, there is a significant repertoire from the early 17th century to the close of the 18th. The program begins and ends with duets from the center of the lute’s final flourishing—the court of Wilhelmine, Margrave of Bayreuth (Fredrick the Great’s sister). Works by Telemann and other composers are also on the program. more

Ruth McGowan
(photo by Hazel Coonagh)

In a new partnership with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theater, the Abbey’s Ruth McGowan, literary and new work director, and Derbhle Crotty, well-known Irish actor and associate artist, will be in conversation around writing and performing in Ireland on February 7 at 4:30 p.m.

The event takes place at the James Stewart Film Theatre, 185 Nassau Street, and is part of the Fund for Irish Studies series at Princeton University. Moderator is Fund for Irish Studies Co-chair Jane Cox. Admission is free but tickets are required. Visit tickets.princeton.edu/online.

McGowan and Crotty will discuss writing and performing in Ireland and perhaps offer readings from some Irish plays. Founded as a national theater for Ireland in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, the Abbey Theatre celebrates both the rich canon of Irish dramatic writing and the potential of future generations of Irish theater artists. In December, the Abbey’s Artistic Director and Co-director Caitríona McLaughlin and Head of Producing Jen Coppinger shared their points of view in the inaugural conversation that marked the start of a new partnership between Princeton’s Fund for Irish Studies and the Abbey. more

McCarter Theatre Center, in partnership with Princeton University’s Humanities Council and co-produced by Jill Newman Productions, presents two-time Grammy Award winner Meshell Ndegeocello in No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, a theatrical live rendition of her 2024 album, on Saturday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Baldwin was a prolific writer of essays, novels, plays, and poetry; and an activist who spoke out about Black oppression. This year marks the centennial of Baldwin’s birth, which is celebrated by the release of one of multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter/producer Meshell Ndegeocello’s No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwinmore

GUITAR VIRTUOSO: Raphael Feuillatre makes his Princeton University Concerts debut at Richardson Auditorium on February 5.

On Wednesday, February 5, Princeton University Concerts (PUC) will continue its Performances Up Close series and Live Music Meditation series with the PUC debut of award-winning 28-year-old Djibouti-French classical guitarist Raphaël Feuillâtre.

PUC’s Performances Up Close programs invite the audience to sit alongside the musicians on the stage of Richardson Auditorium for an hour-long program, making for an intimate, informal, and schedule-friendly concert experience. At 6 and 9 p.m., Feuillâtre will perform a program grounded in translating works originally written for baroque instruments into music for the classical guitar. The repertoire includes works by Julián Arcas, J.S. Bach, François Couperin, Jacques Duphly, Augustín Barrios Mangoré, Astor Piazzola, Pancrace Royer, Miguel Llobet Solés, and Francisco Tarrega. more

Seven-time Grammy nominee Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), known as a revolutionary force in jazz, will perform at McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, on Thursday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.

A multi-instrumentalist in contemporary jazz, Adjuah has been redefining the genre since 2002. His performances blend jazz, soul, funk, and African traditions, continuously pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Adjuah, the grandson of the late Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr., and the nephew of jazz innovator and NEA jazz master saxophonist-composer Donald Harrison Jr., is part of a musical dynasty deeply rooted in New Orleans’ rich jazz heritage. His upbringing in a musical family has played a crucial role in shaping his unique artistic voice.  more