12-10 All Pages by Community News Service

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Opportunities: Call for Art

Submissions are open through February 13, 2026, for the New Jersey Arts Annual, a unique series of exhibitions highlighting the State’s visual and performing artists. In partnership with major museums around the state, one exhibition takes place each year, alternating between host institutions. These exhibitions are open to any artist over the age of 18 currently living or working in New Jersey.

The Arts Annual series is sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.

world joins the art of our time in displays throughout the Museum’s purpose-built spaces and within the historic Twin Oaks mansion.

The Morris Museum invites submissions for the New Jersey Arts Annual 2026, Grounded: Contemporary Sculpture in the Open, a juried outdoor sculpture exhibition that will transform the Museum’s 8.4-acre campus into a dynamic landscape of contemporary art.

Between The Lines

Since 1984, the New Jersey State Arts Council has cosponsored the prestigious Annual in keeping with its mission to encourage and foster public interest in the arts, promote freedom of expression in the arts, and to facilitate the inclusion of art in every building in New Jersey. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

The 2026 exhibit will be hosted at the Morris Museum. Founded in 1913 and located on 8.5 acres in Morris Township since the mid1960s, the museum draws visitors across the region to its dynamic and acclaimed art exhibitions program and performing arts events. Its 45,000+ object collection of art and material culture from around the

U.S. 1 WELCOMES letters to the editor, corrections, and criticisms of our stories and columns. E-mail your thoughts directly to our editor: hastings@princetoninfo. com.

Submitted works should respond to scale, terrain, materiality, and public space — works that provoke curiosity, invite movement, and reimagine how art lives in shared environments. Whether abstract or figurative, playful or contemplative, temporary or durable, submissions should embody a sense of place, community, or collective experience on a large scale. The exhibition seeks sculptures and installations that engage thoughtfully with the outdoors— works that respond to light, weather, and the natural environment, or that reimagine our relationship to landscape and community. Artists are encouraged to submit pieces that demonstrate technical excellence, conceptual depth, and a strong sense of spatial dialogue.

Through Common Ground: NJ Artists Think Monumental, the Morris Museum continues its commitment to presenting contemporary art beyond traditional gallery walls — celebrating the power of sculpture to transform open space into a site of reflection, discovery, and wonder.

Juried by Johannah Hutchinson, executive director of the International Sculpture Center, Common Ground celebrates the creativity and innovation of New Jersey–based sculptors. There is no entry fee. To submit

their artwork, interested artists must apply online at www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ). Submissions via email will not be accepted. Artists may submit work samples representing up to three total sculptural works in any media for consideration. Total work samples may be up to 16 representing no more than three completed works. Submissions must also include:

• A current résumé

• Brief artist biography (no more than 500 words)

• An artist’s statement (no more than 150 words)

• Complete and accurate dimensions (in inches) of no more than three (3) completed works. Height x Width x Depth; approximate weight of the work submitted. For works selected for the exhibition, artists must be prepared to submit high resolution images to be used in the catalogue, on the Museum website and publications, programs, and/or for press purposes. If you do not choose to have your images retained by the Museum, please note that at the top of your artists’ statement document. The Museum reserves the right to edit the artist’s statement with the artist’s approval.

All work samples must be submitted via the CaFÉ application portal. Each digital file must include the following as accompanying information in the CAFÉ upload: artist’s name, title of work, date, medium and dimensions (in inches, height x width [x depth, if appropriate]; approximate weight ; (Example: “Jane Smith, Untitled, 2021, oil on canvas, 24 x 24”)

Artwork must be ready to install and include all necessary installation hardware — mounts, screws etc. Sculpture pads will be provided. If artwork is not inherently balanced or stable, an appropriate mount or method must be provid-

INSIGHTS & ARGUMENTS

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U.S. 1 has distribution to news boxes located in downtown Princeton and Trenton, at train stations, and in other high-traffic outdoor areas. Additionally, it is now possible to browse full PDFs of recent issues on U.S. 1’s website, www.princetoninfo.com. Click on “Read This Week’s Digital U.S. 1 E-Edition Here.” A full digital edition of U.S. 1 is also distributed by e-mail every Wednesday. Subscribe at www.communitynews.org/ newsletter.

ed.

Electrical requirements must be stated; US/North America standard: 115/120V, 60hz; no more than 15 amp. Delicate electronics must include their own battery back-up (UPS). Audio, video and media works must be accompanied by all the necessary AV equipment. They must have the ability to automatically restart components and initialize the multimedia program if power is interrupted. Multimedia must function without active WiFi and all auto update features should be disabled. Sound volume must be adjustable.

Following the February 13 submission deadline, juror review takes place from February 14 through 25. Acceptance notifications will go out on or before March 1. Shipping and installation of artwork takes place April 1 through May 23. The exhibit runs May 28 through August 23.

Visit artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info. php?ID=14255 for full submission information.

ESSAYS & SOLILOQUIES

IN TERCHANGE

A Sad Fate foR SUBURBan and URBan TRees

by Alison Mitchell

cross towns and cities, the trees that define our neighborhoods, cool our homes, and help tie our landscapes together are disappearing one construction project and “routine” removal at a time.

We need trees, yet every day they’re senselessly removed because they crack sidewalks or stand in the way of a new swimming pool. Homeowners are sometimes told by insurance companies that perfectly healthy trees are “hazards.” Due to fear of liability, falling limbs, and claims denied, our irreplaceable green giants are destroyed.

It’s death by a thousand cuts, and the cumulative impact is profound.

tive, invasive ornamental plants dominate many neighborhoods; uniform lawns contribute nothing to biodiversity; and tree canopy coverage is shrinking in some of our most built-out suburban counties. We’re losing the big, ecologically valuable trees that anchor the entire system — and the summer temperature moderation they provide.

Climate change makes the situation even more precarious. Stronger storms take down weakened or isolated trees that lack the protection of a robust canopy network. Hotter, drier summers stress species already threatened by often fatal alien insect pests and imported bacterial and viral pathogens. And longer drought seasons dry out trees and make their root systems vulnerable.

A 70-year-old maple will cool a suburban home on a summer afternoon, cutting energy bills dramatically. Trees intercept thousands of gallons of stormwater each year, easing pressure on our overworked drainage systems and mitigating soil erosion. They capture carbon, reduce noise pollution, stabilize soil, and are home to all sorts of beneficial wildlife. Without them, we lose critical mental and physical health benefits, and we starve the natural world. No tidy sidewalk or strip mall can replace those benefits. But in community after community, we treat mature shade trees as disposable obstacles.

New Jersey’s suburban landscapes give the illusion of abundance. There’s plenty of greenery — lawns, shrubs, isolated street trees — and we assume the environment is thriving. But this green is deceiving. Nonna-

o stem this spiral, municipalities must adopt stronger tree-protection ordinances. A single development can erase a century of growth in one day. Local governments should require protection of existing mature trees in communities and meaningful replacement ratios with diverse native plantings whenever possible.

Homeowners need guidance and incentives to maintain mature trees rather than getting rid of them. Too many removals begin with a misunderstanding of what constitutes risk. We need to work together to save healthy trees, not be forced by often well-

SURVIVAL GUIDE

Business Meetings

Wednesday December 10

Networking, BNI Falcons, IHOP, 610 Route 33, East Windsor, 877-264-0500. www.bninjpa.org. Hybrid meeting. Speakers: David Gulino, electrical contracting; and Tahiv Grantham, notary. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Business Before Business Virtual Speed Networking, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, 609-924-1776. www.princetonmercerchamber.org. Network over morning coffee and re-engage with chamber friends. Register. $15; free for members. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Thursday December 11

Networking BNI Tigers Chapter, Conference Center at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3237. www.bninjpa.org. In-person meeting. Speaker: Jon Castaneda, insurance. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Networking, BNI Top Flight, Town Diner, 431 Route 130, East Windsor, 609-4438222. www.bninjpa.org. 7 a.m.

Women in Business Alliance Holiday Brunch, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cobblestone Creek Country Club, 2170 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, 609-924-1776. www.princetonmercerchamber.org. Brunch, mimosas, and lively conversation. Bring a toy, item, or donation for partners at Sheltered Yoga. Register. 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Webinar: Introduction to Proposal Writing, New Jersey State Library. www. njstatelib.org. Free webinar provides an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation, including: The basic elements of a grant proposal; The “do’s” and “don’ts” of writing and submitting a proposal; and how to follow up whether the answer is yes or no. Register. Noon to 1 p.m. Holiday Networking Princeton Tech Meetup, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. Members of the Princeton area tech community, including creatives, entrepreneurs and investors are invited to attend this networking event. Register. All are welcome. 6:30 p.m.

Pedagogy in the Age of AI Princeton Chapter of ACM, Friend Center 004, William Street, Princeton University. princetonacm.acm.org. Computer professional society’s monthly meeting features presentation by Noah Cowit, Computer Research Association. Hybrid meeting (in-person and

Princeton Public Library hosts a Zoom-based discussion of current economic trends by Nicol Nicola, above, on Wednesday, December 17.

online). Free. 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Friday December 12

Networking BNI Driven, Elks Lodge #2622, 1580 Kuser Road, Hamilton, 609585-9610. www.bninjpa.org. Speakers: Fred Ewig, coaching; and Brandon Blackford, website optimization. 7 a.m.

Networking, X-Factor BNI, VFW 133, 485 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, 908-4216151. www.bninjpa.org. Speaker: Carla Scaturro, insurance market update. Guests always welcome. RSVP suggested. Contact distinguished@rocketmail.com for more. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

JobSeekers, Professional Service Group of Mercer County, Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro. www.psgofmercercounty.org. Madeleine Elmgren presents “Job Search in the AI Era.” 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday December 17

Networking, BNI Falcons, IHOP, 610 Route 33, East Windsor, 877-264-0500. www.bninjpa.org. Hybrid meeting. Speakers: Otto Kostbar, law; and Olin Johnson, painting. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Holiday Business After Business, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stark & Stark, 100 American Metro Boulevard, Hamilton, 609-924-1776. www. princetonmercerchamber.org. Mingle with fellow Chamber Members and guests over food, beer, wine, and desserts. Register. 5 to 7 p.m.

The Current Economy and Future Projections Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. Nicol Nicola explores current economic trends and data-driven forecasts to help businesses, job seekers and others make informed strategic decisions in a rapidly evolving economy. Via Zoom. Register. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

intentioned towns and insurance companies to cut them down without proper assessment. Ironically, we’ve witnessed a surge in tree-removal recommendations for rooftop solar panels — sacrificing shade and carbon uptake that takes decades to generate in an effort to gain a bit of solar energy. Rooftop solar has its place in the clean energy shift, but not at the expense of trees.

We can approach replanting as a generational investment rather than a quick aesthetic fix. Choosing native species, planting in clusters rather than isolated rows, and giving young trees proper soil and space are critical for ensuring suburban canopy for the next 50 to 100 years.

We need a cultural shift where we stop seeing trees as threats and start seeing them as the infrastructure they truly are. Look up tree planting initiatives in your

town or nearby cities and get involved. Scrutinize decisions to remove trees by municipalities, utilities, and insurance companies. Of course, some present a true hazard to be addressed, but many of those being felled do not. We’re the Garden State and caring for our trees calls for informed action. Let’s not let our many healthy trees go down without a fight!

To learn more about how you can help preserve New Jersey’s natural resources, visit the New Jersey Conservation Foundation at www.njconservation.org or reach out to us at info@njconservation.org.

Alison Mitchell is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. Their “State We’re In” column is released weekly.

ART FILM LITERATURE DANCE DRAMA MUSIC PRE VIEW

DAY-BY-DAY EVENTS, DECEMBER 10 TO 17

Event Listings: E-mail events@princetoninfo.com

While many venues have returned to hosting in-person events, others are still taking place online. Event descriptions specify if an event is being held virtually or in a hybrid format. To include your virtual or in-person event in this section email events@princetoninfo.com.

Wednesday December 10

Classical Music

Live Music Meditation: Théo Ould, Accordion, Princeton University Concerts, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. concerts.princeton.edu.

Breathe in sound and silence meditating to the playing of accordionist Théo Ould, guided by Matthew Weiner, associate dean in the Princeton University Office of Religious Life. Free. Noon.

In a Holidaze

The State Theatre in New Brunswick presents Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a family holiday spectacular that wraps a Broadway-style production around awe-inspiring contemporary circus arts, on Friday, December 12.

Carols of Many Nations Chapel Princeton Theological Seminary, 609-430-2771. www.ptsem.edu.

Three identical services include scripture readings, anthems, and carols offered in various languages that represent the diversity of the Princeton Seminary community. Services led by the Princeton Seminary Chapel Choir and C.F. Seabrook Director of Music Martin Tel. Free; at capacity as of press time. 3:30 p.m. 6, and 8 p.m.

Théo Ould, Accordion, Princeton University Concerts, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. concerts.princeton.edu. French accordionist makes his Princeton University Concerts debut with a bold, tango-inspired program that proves his instrument’s rightful place in the classical world. In collaboration with Princeton Sound Kitchen. $43. 6 and 9 p.m.

Live Music

Live Band Jam, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, 609-393-7300. www.coopersnj.com. PA, full backline with drums, amps, and house band to sit in with. Sign-up for musicians starts after 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Art

Festival of Trees, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-924-8144. www.morven.org. Annual juried collection of ornamental trees and mantels displayed throughout the museum’s galleries. On view through Wednesdays through Sundays through January 11. $12. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Stage

Elf: The Musical, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main

Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania, 215-862-2121. www.bcptheater. org. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 1:30 p.m.

Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show, George Street Playhouse, Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.georgestreetplayhouse.org. This fast, funny, and full-of-surprises reimagining of A Christmas Carol takes Dickens’ classic tale and gives it a fresh, local twist. Expect all the traditional ghosts — Past, Pres-

ent, and Future — along with plenty of Garden State spirit, unexpected laughs, and a dash of holiday magic. $35 and up. 2 and 7:30 p.m.

The Nice List, Bristol Riverside Theater, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pennsylvania. www.brtstage.org. When Santa announces he has to leave the North Pole for an important trip, he puts two elves in charge of the all-important Nice List. As they struggle to decide who’s naughty and who’s nice, the list gets shorter and shorter until it seems like no one will get presents at all. Family friendly musical adventure. $20 to $68. 7 p.m.

A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. www. mccarter.org. Charles Dickens’ classic story of redemption and generosity adapted and directed by Lauren Keating. Cameron Knight stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. 7:30 p.m.

Film

Morning Movies, Trenton Free Public Library, 120 Academy Street, Trenton. www.trentonlib. org. “Eight Crazy Nights.” 10 a.m. Crafty Cinema: “Clueless”, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. Bring

your needlework or other craft to work on while we celebrate the 30th anniversary of this modern retelling of Austen’s novel “Emma.” PG-13. 1 hour, 37 minutes. 4 to 6 p.m.

Home Alone, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary. org. Macaulay Culkin gives an alltime memorable performance as troublemaker Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old kid who is mistakenly left home alone when his family heads to Paris for the holiday season. His excitement at having the house to himself soon sours when a pair of burglars plan to rob his residence on Christmas Eve, leaving Kevin no choice but to defend his domain. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Health

Webinar: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, New Jersey State Library. www.njstatelib.org. Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory, thinking, and behavior changes that interfere with daily living. Noticing these early changes and being proactive at their onset can have lasting impacts in care and quality of life. Join the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association to learn about common warning signs of Alzheimer’s and what symptoms to look for in yourself and others, as well as tips to approach someone who is experiencing changes in their memory, the benefit of early detection and diagnosis, and more. Free webinar. Register. Noon to 1 p.m.

For Families

Gingerbread House Decorating and Family Night, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-924-8144. www.morven.org. Enjoy festive treats and holiday music while you create your own gingerbread house, complete with four gingerbread people to personalize with candy and icing. Register. $8 individual; $25 family of 4. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Science Lectures

The Nerdy Nook: True Tales from the Lab’, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary. org. Local scientists, engineers, historians, anthropologists and others discuss the whacky and wild histories behind their areas of expertise, as well as the work they do in the lab. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Socials

Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Princeton Comic Makers presents: JERSEY ART MEETUPS (JAM), a weekly social event connecting creatives within the greater Central Jersey area through a shared passion for sequential art and new media. Attendees may use this open workshop space to draw, write, and develop their own artwork, with an opportunity to receive peer review and feedback from other members if desired. Illustrators, animators, writers, and generalists are all welcome to join and discuss their art and career goals, share learning resources, promote current projects, or find friends and collaborators. Must be 16+ to attend. Free. 7 to 9 p.m.

For Seniors

Winter Wonderland Bash, Center for Modern Aging Princeton, Suzanne Patterson Building, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton. www. princetonsenior.org. Enjoy festive singalongs led by Dave Saltzman at the piano, joined by the jolly Jingle Belles, and more. Holiday buffet, seasonal treats, and fun door prizes. Register. $5. 1 p.m.

Thursday December 11

Jazz & Blues

Kenny G — The Miracles Holiday

and Hits Tour State Theater New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.stnj. org. The “king of smooth jazz” visits New Brunswick. $58 to $194. 7:30 p.m.

Live Music

Lovelight, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, 609393-7300. www.coopersnj.com. Grateful Dead tribute. Reservations recommended. 7 p.m. Sounds of the Season, Lawrence Community Concert Band, Hamilton Senior Center, 409 Cypress Lane, Hamilton. lawrencecommunityband.org. Enjoy familiar holiday favorites, complete with an old fashioned singa-long. Free. 7 p.m.

Art

Opening Reception: “Threads Of Coexistence” Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. Artist Spriha Gupta, whose work is on view in the Reading Room, discusses the theme of the exhibit, and her technique, at this drop-in event. Refreshments served. 6 to 7 p.m.

On Stage

Elf: The Musical, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania, 215-862-2121. www.bcptheater. org. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The Nice List Bristol Riverside Theater, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pennsylvania. www.brt stage.org. When Santa announc es he has to leave the North Pole for an important trip, he puts two elves in charge of the all-impor tant Nice List. As they struggle to decide who’s naughty and who’s nice, the list gets shorter and shorter until it seems like no one will get presents at all. Family friendly musical adventure. $20 to $68. 7 p.m.

Good Causes

Joy to the World, Trenton Circus Squad, 675 South Clinton Ave nue, Trenton. trentoncircussquad. org. Free showcase of skills young circus artists have developed over the last few months. Popcorn available for $5 donation. Register for free ticket. 6 to 7 p.m.

Lectures

Schools

Middle & Upper School Info Session, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton. www.stuartschool.org/openhouse. Meet faculty and student leaders, explore our campus, and hear firsthand how Stuart girls grow into confident scholars and compassionate leaders. Register. 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Shopping News

Artist Winter Village, Arts Council of Princeton, Hinds Plaza, Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Festive pop-up shops, run by talented regional creatives, offer fun and unique gifts in cozy textiles, jewelry, hand-poured candles, charming children’s wear, pottery, wood, and more. Noon to 6 p.m.

Friday December 12

Classical Music

Caroling with the Choirs Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609924-8144. www.morven.org. Westrick Music Academy performs amidst the Festival of Trees display, then strolls to the Present Day Club for a musical gathering and optional VIP experience “Around the Baby Grand piano” that includes festive music, open bar, and appetizers. Register. $40; $100 VIP (ages 15+). 6 to 9 p.m.

An Evening of Readings and Carols, Westminster Choir College, Princeton University Chapel. www.rider.edu/about/events/ evening-readings-carols. Holiday music and readings featuring performances by Chapel Choir, Symphonic Choir, Jubilee Singers, Concert Bell Choir and the Westminster Choir. $25 to $70. 8 p.m.

Folk Music

Michael Gabriele/New Jersey Folk Revival Music: History & Tradition & Spook Handy/Remembering Pete Seeger, Princeton Folk Music Society, Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut

The Princeton Folk Music Society presents a night of folk music history on Friday, December 12, at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Author Michael Gabriele, top, explores the evolution of New Jersey’s music, and Spook Handy, above left, celebrates Pete Seeger’s legacy.

Lane, Princeton. www.princetonfolk.org. A night of folk music history: Gabriele explores the evolution of New Jersey’s music (1700s bawdy tavern songs, Pine Barrens bluegrass, old-time traditions, and contemporary folk), Spook Handy celebrates Pete Seeger’s legacy. $25 online or at the door. 8 p.m.

Live Music

Just Us, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609-737-4465. www.

Notre Dame de Paris – Before and After the Fire, Alliance Francaise. allianceprinceton. com. After the Fire: La Restauration de Notre-Dame de Paris, avec Philippe Villeneuve. In French with English subtitles available. Register. 1 p.m.

S.T. Lee Lecture: Dorothea Weltecke, Institute for Advanced Study, Wolfensohn Hall, Einstein Drive, Princeton. www. ias.edu. Dorothea Weltecke, chair for medieval studies at Humboldt University in Berlin, gives a talk titled “’The characteristic of the Syrians is a certain mediocracy’: Western pioneers of Syriac studies and their contempt.” Register. 5 p.m.

hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. Rock. 5 to 8 p.m.

World Music

Holiday Concert, Princeton Symphonic Brass, Community Middle School Auditorium, 95 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro. psbrass.square.site. Carols, Christmas classics, Hanukkah music, and a sing-along under the baton of Lawrence Kursar. $25 in

Continued on following page

Off the Presses: ‘Karl Marx: The Divine Tragedy’ by Robert Orlando

Author and filmmaker Robert Orlando visits Princeton on Saturday, December 13, for a discussion of his new book, “Karl Marx: The Divine Tragedy,” a work that reframes Marx’s life through the structure of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

The event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Erdman Center at Princeton Theological Seminary, 20 Library Place. It is free and open to the public, though seating is limited.

Orlando will deliver a presentation from the book, screen a segment of the companion film, and lead a conversation on Marx’s influence on modern culture, politics and faith.

Orlando is known for documentaries that have been featured at the White House, the Vatican and international venues. Organizers say his decades of research and storytelling experience inform the project’s exploration of Marx’s legacy.

Signed advance copies of the book will be available. Attendees are encouraged to call Roslyn Verone at 917-301-3439 or email her at Rdjmverone@yahoo.com to reserve a seat.

December 12

Continued from preceding page

advance; $30 at the door. 7:30 p.m.

Auld Lang Syne, Princeton University Office of Religious Life Chancellor Green Rotunda, Princeton University. religiouslife.princeton.edu. A quartet of Celtic musicians weave the music of the Solstice, Christmas, and Hogmanay (the Scottish New Year) into an ethereal and charming program. Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m.

On Stage

Cirque Dreams Holidaze, State Theater New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.stnj.org. Family holiday spectacular that wraps a Broadway-style production around aweinspiring contemporary circus arts. $39 to $139. 7 p.m.

A Levittown Christmas Carol, New Hope Arts, 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope, Pennsylvania. www.newhopearts.org. The original musical by Righteous Jolly and David Garrett Shaw takes a gritty, hilarious, and heartfelt spin on reimagining of Dickens’ holiday classic. $35. 7:30 p.m.

A Christmas Carol McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. www. mccarter.org. Charles Dickens’ classic story of redemption and generosity adapted and directed by Lauren Keating. Cameron

Author and filmmaker Robert Orlando discusses his new book, ‘Karl Marx: The Divine Tragedy,’ on Saturday, December 13, at Princeton Theological Seminary. Continued

The Kingston Greenways Association leads the Kingston segment of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 14, starting from the Lock Tender’s House in D&R Canal State Park on Route 27.

Knight stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. 7:30 p.m.

A Merry Little Christmas Carol, Playhouse 22, East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, 732-254-3939. www.playhouse22.org. Play written by Mark Shanahan and directed by Erik Hall is a new take on the old Charles Dickens classic. $24. 8 p.m.

Inspecting Carol, Actors’ NET, 635 North Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, PA, 215-295-3694. www. actorsnetbucks.org. Behind the scenes of a struggling theatre company’s annual slapdash production of “A Christmas Carol,” rehearsals are at a standstill. Tim is no longer tiny, Scrooge wants to do the show in Spanish and their funding is on hold pending an inspection. When an impossibly bad actor is mistakenly identified as the inspector, the troupe does everything to accommodate his craziest wishes. Mistaken identities lead to side-splitting comedy as opening night draws closer and it seems only a Christmas miracle will save this production. $24. 8 p.m.

The Nice List, Bristol Riverside Theater, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pennsylvania. www.brt-

stage.org. When Santa announces he has to leave the North Pole for an important trip, he puts two elves in charge of the all-important Nice List. As they struggle to decide who’s naughty and who’s nice, the list gets shorter and shorter until it seems like no one will get presents at all. Family friendly musical adventure. $20 to $68. 8 p.m.

A Christmas Carol, Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www.musicmountaintheatre.org. Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than happiness. But, on Christmas Eve, he is forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts lead him through his Past, Present, and Future. 8 p.m.

Review: ‘Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show!’

Gby Neal Zoren

ordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen found a formula that works.

They take classic stories by Pantheon writers — Dickens, Dostoevsky, Stoker — and move them from London, Russia, or Transylvania to local settings filled with local references and inside jokes that charm and tickle hometown audiences,

In “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show!,” Greenberg and Rosen find a context to whisk literature’s most miserly malcontent from Victorian London and settle him in 19th century New Brunswick, New Jersey, with touches that smack of current times.

In the George Street Playhouse production of “Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show!,” Scrooge’s house is not in the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral but on George Street, just past some familiar restaurants and Rutgers. Characters speak of the Brunswick Square Mall, Wawa, and other local joints, often to hearty audience response.

Greenberg directs, so his intentions and style of presenting them are clear. This staging of “Scrooge’s Big Christmas Show” seems neatly tailored to do well by Dickens, his time-honored story, and the various Mid-Jersey landmarks it mentions. Scrooge, in one of his ghost-led visions, even receives a festive Christmas sweater in bright green with a prominent New York Jets logo. (Of course when this Philadelphian who considers Boston to D.C. his hometown saw the green, he was about to cheer for his favorite, the Eagles.)

Having Greenberg on site is an advantage. “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Christmas Show” is available to any theater that chooses to stage it. In an interview I did with Greenberg and Rosen, they spoke of providing a script that leaves blanks where local references are needed. The title in each locale is changed so where the George Street production reads “Big Jersey Christmas Show,” the traveling script replaces “Jersey” with “Your Town Here.”

The balance of Dickens, light comic hijinks, and local color makes for an amiable show that remains breezy and entertaining for its 80-minute duration.

Fun is stressed over substance, so while emotion is elicited, the George Street production does not attain the depth a traditional “Christmas Carol” might. Ease is Greenberg’s ticket, laughs his aim, so the ghosts of Christmas past and present can be as sarcastic as they are instructive, and sequences that usually tug one’s heart are often mitigated by a joke or sight gag. Tiny Tim is represented by a puppet that sits on Bob Cratchit’s lap and is worked by actor Nehal Joshi, who gives Tim a reedy, falsetto voice.

As befits a puppet.

Greenberg and Rosen designed their show to be economical, so Scrooge’s nephew’s Christmas gettogether is populated by his immediate family, including young children and not the festive adult crowd usually seen. Neither Fezziwig nor his opulent Christmas party receive much prominence, Scrooge’s aborted engagement to a renamed Belle — George Street’s stingy advertising card passing for a program again tells you nothing … unless you use a QR code that reinforces how businesses today, even theaters, place burden on their customers instead of congenially providing service — being used more as a means, funny in its way, of get-

ting Scrooge to America, than showing how he gave up his one chance at varied life and love.

Any expectation of being touched by the Dickensian would be in vain, but the talent of Greenberg’s cast and the sure-handed comic tone of the production provide their own rewards. Greenberg and company are amusing. They may take for granted you know Scrooge’s story and have seen enough productions of “A Christmas Carol” that put sentiment ahead of merriment, but I found myself smiling and enjoying Greenberg and Rosen’s invention and the cast’s excellently executed antics throughout the show.

“Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show!” is not only a

‘Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show!’ is not only a clever idea. It is a cheery divertissement that provides a good time and has an ending that brings the holiday spirit directly to you.

clever idea. It is a cheery divertissement that provides a good time and has an ending that brings the holiday spirit directly to you.

That ending is the culmination of a running joke.

Throughout the “Big Jersey Christmas Show,” the depicted New Brunswick residents lament they have no theater or place in town to stage a Christmas extravaganza.

Look at Greenberg and Rosen’s title, and you’ll guess what happens.

Knowing doesn’t spoil the moment Scrooge produces the show his fellow citizens crave.

Talk about redemption!

And a rousing sing-along to go with it.

Greenberg’s cast is uniformly marvelous, four of the five playing at least a dozen characters, some within seconds of each other.

Only Kevin Pariseau, as Scrooge, gets to play a lone role, and he does so expertly.

Pariseau’s first mention of Scrooge makes fun of the usual portrayal of the miserly misanthrope. On cue, he turns to the audience, makes a clawlike motion with his right hand, and says “Ebenezer Scrooge” in a stock sinister voice.

After that, Pariseau does what a canny actor playing Scrooge, especially a Scrooge with comic undertones, should do. He plays him as a man who seems oblivious towards other people’s attitude about him, whether it be fear or disdain.

Pariseau’s Scrooge is everyday and matter-of-fact in his demeanor and habits. He does not preach or admonish people. He simply states his point of view and chides others for what he regards as the folly of theirs.

Pariseau is never bitter or mean as Scrooge, only direct and to the point he intends of make. He sees his behavior and stances as quite within a realm of ordinary comic sense.

By not exaggerating Scrooge’s stinginess, cruelty, or disregard for what others deem important, Pariseau neatly sets up the scenes in which he travels with the Christmas ghosts and sees his past and the way his present should be.

He’s open to the visions and enjoys the memories. They may not make him as sad or reflective as they would in a traditional “Christmas Carol.” Pariiseau instead becomes curious when shown his life and what he may be missing. He shows you Scrooge’s awakening without overplaying it.

This makes Scrooge’s transition all the more logical. Pariseau’s Scrooge seems impressed with what could have been and can be. There’s a nice moment in which he hesitates before boarding the ship that takes Scrooge to America. It’s one of the more serious parts of Greenberg’s production. The joke that accompanies Scrooge’s walk up the gangplank also resonates more because of Pariseau’s pause.

Nehal Joshi, who plays Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, and Tiny Tim among others, is gregariously conventional as Fred while going into various modes as he goes through his slew of roles.

Orville Mendoza is a refreshing Bob Cratchit. He never cringes in Scrooge’s presence. Nor does he seem to ever get angry or upset as his boss’s insults or penchant for making Cratchit work under hard conditions.

On the contrary, he takes Scrooge’s hard treatment in stride, smirking as if he knows his employer and is more amused than dismayed by him. As with the entire cast, Mendoza aces all the other roles Greenberg and Rosen assign him.

It’s a good thing I’ve been a Michele Ragusa fan since seeing her in “Nunsense” at the bygone Pennsylvania Stage Company 35 years ago.

Kevin Pariseau, right, stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show’ on stage at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick through Sunday, December 21.

Otherwise, I’d have had to resort to the dreaded QR code to distinguish her from Carolyn Wake, another I’ve enjoyed in several productions, as they play roles that seem interchangeable and are often done in tandem.

Ragusa is hilarious as the nononsense ghost of Christmas past who speaks in a strong regional accent, hurries Scrooge along, and rolls her eyes when he seem to express regret or surprise at something he left behind or once enjoyed. She’s more like the teacher archly goading you into doing better than someone coddling or sympathetic.

Wake can also be testy as the ghost of Christmas present, looking askance as Scrooge sees and hears what he doesn’t know is happening around him, and taking delight when he seems to be realizing his faults or evaluating what he’s been missing.

Wake also provides an impressive operatic trill in a running joke in which she and Ragusa, playing sisters, are almost blown away by the wind coming through Scrooge’s

doorway.

Tristan Raine’s costumes are period enough to suggest an earlier time while being witty in regard to the character he’s dressing. Adam Koch’s efficiently mobile set, including a doorway that seems acrobatic for something inanimate, keeps Greenberg’s production moving at a brisk pace. Rob Denton’s lighting gives texture to scenes, in particular when the Cratchits visit a cemetery or during Scrooge’s Christmas Eve walk home. Carolyn Wake also serves as music director and should be lauded for the tight harmonies and festive tone she and her casemates achieve.

Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show!, George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Through Sunday, December 21. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. $64 to $110. www.georgestreetplayhouse.org or 732-2467717

Photo by Daniel Rader.

December 12

Continued from page 6

in the Christmas Pageant. Plus, the family is preparing for the birth of a new brother or sister. Will the baby wait until January? Will Vicky mess up her big role? Will Christmas be ruined? $24. 8 p.m.

Film

Film: “Pride and Prejudice”, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. This first adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic 1813 romance novel features Academy Award-winners Sir Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson. 1940. PG. 1 hour, 57 minutes. 3:30 p.m.

Film: “Heightened Scrutiny”, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. This documentary follows ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he fights a legal battle to overturn Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. 1 hour, 25 minutes. Register. 7:30 p.m.

Dancing

Friday Night Folk Dance, Princeton Folk Dance, Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.princetonfolkdance.org. Lesson followed by open dancing. No partner necessary. $10. 8 p.m.

Comedy

Jerrold Benford, Catch A Rising Star, Hyatt Regency Princeton, 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, 781-568-1471. www.catcharisingstar.com. Benford’s distinctive perspective on dating and marriage topics combines with a high energy, friendly delivery to create wickedly clever content and a wildly funny act. Two item per person minimum. $30 to $39. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Lectures

Art Talk: Klimt, Pennington Public Library. www.penningtonlibrary.org. Talk by Janet Mandel discusses the important relationship Gustav Klimt, art star of Vienna’s Golden Age, had with his many Jewish patrons. See some amazing paintings and learn the tragic stories of what happened to these works and to their enlightened, forward thinking collectors during the Nazi era and beyond. Via Zoom. Register. 1 to 2:15 p.m.

Schools

The Intersections of Quaker & Progressive Education at Princeton Friends, Princeton Friends School, 470 Quaker Road, Princeton. www.princetonfriendsschool.org. Hear from Princeton Friends alums about how Quaker values and progressive education come together to create a vibrant, rigorous, and student-centered learning experience. Alums from across graduating years share how their time at Princeton Friends continues to shape their lives today — academically, personally, and professionally. Faculty present share how the school’s approach makes possible the kind of lifelong impact our graduates so often describe. Register. 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Shopping News

Artist Winter Village, Arts Council of Princeton, Hinds Plaza, Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Festive pop-up shops, run by talented regional creatives, offer fun and unique gifts in cozy textiles, jewelry, hand-poured candles, charming children’s wear, pottery, wood, and more. Noon to 6 p.m.

The Art of Giving Joy Holiday Art Reception, Wholehearted Arts, Chambers Walk Cafe & Catering, 2667 Main Street, Lawrenceville. Christian art and books for children. Chance to win a free painting. Refreshments served. See Facebook for more information. 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Saturday December 13

Classical Music

Holiday Pops, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University, 609-497-0020. www.princetonsymphony.org. Grammy-winner John Brancy and Kara Dugan lend their talents to seasonal melodies along with the spirited voices of the Princeton High School Choir. John Devlin conducts the festive program. $30 to $110. 3 and 6 p.m.

Hope for Light - Carols from around the World Bucks County Choral Society, St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 301 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA. www. buckschoral.org/tickets. Annual Festival of Christmas Music features Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” with Elaine Christy, harp and Timothy Harrell, organ. Reception follows concert. $30 to $35. 4 p.m.

The Gift of Being Together Voices Chorale NJ, Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton. www. voiceschoralenj.org. Program features the regional premiere of “A Garland for Christmas” by composer John Whittaker, along with other works celebrating the joy and connection of the holiday season. $30 general admission. 4 p.m.

Live Music

Weekend Music Series Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 609-924-2310. www. terhuneorchards.com. Live music from 1 to 4 p.m. by Jerry Steele. Fire pits, cafe favorites, hot mulled wine, and wine by the glass available. Hot cocoa and s’mores kits for kids. Noon to 5 p.m.

Carmen Marrenco & Bud Belvisio Hopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609737-4465. www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. Rock/folk. 5 to 8 p.m.

Tiny Cities, Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.smallworldcoffee.com. Folk/ Americana. 7 p.m.

Pop Music

Punk Rock Dance Social, Randy Now’s Man Cave, 119 West Ward Street, Hightstown. www.mancavenj.com. DJ Ed Wong, a radio icon with more than 40 years on WRSU 88.7 FM, spins the essential sounds of Alt, Punk, Ska, and Protopunk. $12. 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Art

Artwork by Liz Aubrey Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro. www. plainsborolibrary.org. Meet the artist reception for exhibit of works by the Bordentown City-based painter noted for works depicting abstract interpretations of nature, open space, and industrial sites. Currently, she is working on a series of paintings on coffee filter paper. On view through December 31. 2 to 4 p.m.

On Stage

Cirque Dreams Holidaze State Theater New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.stnj.org. Family holiday spectacular that wraps a Broadway-style production around aweinspiring contemporary circus arts. $39 to $139. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. www. mccarter.org. Charles Dickens’ classic story of redemption and generosity adapted and directed

‘A Christmas Carol,’ adapted and directed by Lauren Keating and featuring Cameron Knight as Scrooge, is on stage at McCarter Theatre in Princeton through Sunday, December 28. The production features a children’s ensemble including, clockwise from left, Atticus Kragseth, Zayda Knowles, Skarlett Rose Willis, Stella Malone, Ishaan Sebastian, Evie Moore, Rafella Mousa, Mikayla Irene, and Caryna Desai Shah.

by Lauren Keating. Cameron Knight stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. 1 and 5:30 p.m.

expected laughs, and a dash of holiday magic. $35 and up. 2 and 7:30 p.m.

The 24 Days Before Christmas, Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, 908369-7469. www.svptheatre.org. The Austin family has a cherished tradition of doing something special every day counting down to Christmas – from baking cookies to decorating the tree. This year is a stressful one for Vicky Austin, as she’s cast as the youngest angel in the Christmas Pageant. Plus, the family is preparing for the birth of a new brother or sister. Will the baby wait until January? Will Vicky mess up her big role? Will Christmas be ruined? $24. 2 and 8 p.m.

Family Theater

Frosty & Rudolph, Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www.musicmountaintheatre.org. School is out, and the neighborhood children decide to build a snowman. When they place an enchanted hat on his head, he springs to life. To be sure he doesn’t melt, the kids take Frosty to the North Pole where he meets Rudolph, and they hatch a plan to save Christmas by using the reindeer’s incredible red nose to guide Santa’s sleigh. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Tim Burton’s THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS – Interactive Movie Event, Kelsey Theater, Mercer Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3333. www.kelseyatmccc.org. Enjoy the heartfelt tale of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town and all things that go bump in the night. Come in costume and play-along with this cult classic, interactive goody bag included. $20 to $22. 2 p.m.

Film

Elf Princeton Garden Theatre 160 Nassau Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. Will

Ferrell is Buddy, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who after inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size – is sent to New York in search of his father. $5. 10 a.m.

Literati

Poetry Reading Group West Windsor Public Library, 333 North Post Road, West WiIndsor. www.poetryreadinggroup.wordpress.com. Read, share, and discuss the best in classic and contemporary poetry. Free. 2 p.m.

Karl Marx: The Divine Tragedy, Erdman Center, Princeton Theological Seminary, 20 Library Place, Princeton. Talk and Q&& with author, filmmaker, and public speaker Robert Orlando about his forthcoming book. 3 to 5 p.m.

Good Causes

10x10 Red Dot Art Sale, Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton. www.artworkstrenton. org. Opening reception and start of sales for annual fundraiser in which area artists create works on 10x10” canvas. All works priced at $100. Sales support Artworks and the Trenton arts community. In person and virtual exhibit with sales continuing through January 10, 2026. 6 to 9 p.m. Holiday Drag Show Fabulously Festive Fundraiser, Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, 12 Stockton Street, Princeton. brcsjholidaydragfundraiser. eventbrite.com. Featuring Miss Cissy Walken in a performance to benefit the nonprofit serving LGBTQIA+ youth and intersectional families. Register. $33.85. 7 p.m.

Comedy

Jerrold Benford Catch A Rising Star, Hyatt Regency Princeton, 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, 781-568-1471. www.catcharisingstar.com. Benford’s distinctive perspective on dating and marriage topics combines with a high energy, friendly delivery to create wickedly clever content and a wildly funny act. Two item per person minimum. $30 to $39. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Farm Markets

Winter Farmers Market, Chickadee Creek Farm, 80 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. chickadeecreekfarm.com. 8-11 local vendors on site. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

History

Washington’s War Tent, Lawrence Historical Society, Brearley House, 1761 Meadow Road, Lawrence. www.revnj.org. “First Oval Office Project” traveling exhibit is a full-scale replica of

Art Exhibits on View at a Public Library Near You

Princeton Public Library: ‘Threads of Coexistence’

‘Threads of Coexistence,” an exhibit of paintings by Skillmanbased artist Spriha Gupta, is on view through January 31 at Princeton Public Library. The mixed-media texture art, examines the delicate balance between humanity and nature.

An opening reception for the exhibit, where the artist will discuss her technique and the theme of the exhibit, takes place in the Newsroom on Thursday, December 11, from 6 to 7 p.m.

In her artist statement, Gupta says she is “strongly influenced by her Indian cultural roots” and “fearless in her use of colors.”

“Practicing intuitive painting, Spriha’s work becomes a journey through layers of texture, rhythm, and movement — a profound interpretation of the natural world,” the statement continues. “Layering acrylic paints with an array of elements such as modeling paste, gels, tree bark, cheesecloth and paper, (the artist) crafts compositions that possess both depth and fluidity giving a second life to them.”

The exhibit is on view in the Reading Room and History Hallway on the library’s second floor.

Princeton Public Library is located at 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org

Plainsboro Public Library: ‘Artwork

by Liz Aubrey’

The Plainsboro Library presents “Artwork by Liz Aubrey” through December 31. A free opening reception and meet-the-artist event takes place Saturday, December 13, from 2 to 4 p.m.

‘Woven by Waste Bound by Nature,’ above, is part of an exhibit by mixed media artist Spriha Gupta on view at Princeton Public Library. At right are Liz Aubrey’s works ‘After the Burn,’ top, and ‘Contemplating the Day,’ on view at Plainsboro Library.

Aubrey, a resident of the City of Bordentown, is a Greater Trenton artist noted for works depicting abstract interpretations of nature, open space, and industrial sites. Currently, she is working on a series of paintings on coffee filter paper.

She has exhibited at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton City Museum, Prince Street Gallery in New York City, Muse Gallery in Philadelphia, Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, and the Pennswood Art Gallery in Pennsylvania.

In addition to being included in the Trenton Artists Workshop’s international exhibition in Moscow, she has participated in group shows featuring prominent American art-

George Washington’s Revolutionary War headquarters tent. The exhibit tells the story of Washington and all who served beside him, from soldiers to civilians who shaped a new nation. Event features a walk through Washington’s War Tent; chance to meet Revolutionary-era interpreters; and a celebration of history and community. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

History/Nature Hike at Institute Woods, Historical Society of Princeton, Princeton Battlefield Parking Lot, 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. www.princetonhistory.org. Hike through the Institute Woods to explore bits of history, as well as the sites and sounds that form this unique and serene setting. Hear stories about the Woods’ origin and the ways IAS mathematicians, physicists, and other members have engaged with it. Stops along the way will highlight the history of early Stony Brook, the Battle of Princeton, the Old Trolley trail, the establishment of the Institute for Advanced Study, and Founders Rock. Special stop at the Swinging Bridge, then hike over to the observation decks at the adjacent Rogers Wildlife Refuge. Register. $20. 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Thompson-Neely Evening Encampment Tour Washington Crossing Historic Park, Thompson-Neely Farmstead, 1638 River Road, New Hope, Pennsylvania. www.washingtoncrossingpark.org. General George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River evokes memories of the Continental Army struggling for its survival through the harsh winter weather, poor shelter, and scant clothing. Living historians take you back in time to experience the reality of the encampment at the ThompsonNeely farm on which several regiments of the Continental army were quartered. Tour recommended for ages 12 and up. Register. $10. 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Lectures

ists Mel Leipzig, Huey Lee Smith, Bernarda Bryson Shahn, Bob Birmelin and Jacob Landau.

Aubrey is a recipient of a Mercer County Purchase Award and has coordinated exhibitions with the Trenton’s Sage Coalition. She curates the current series of exhibitions at the Trenton Free Public Library and is on the exhibitions committee at The Trenton City Museum.

An opening reception and meet the artist is set for Saturday, December 13, 2 to 4 p.m. The events are free and open to the public.

Plainsboro Public Library is located at 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro Township. www.plainbsborolibrary.org

A World of Discovery: Nurturing Sensory Wildscapes through Creative Land-healing Efforts Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA. www.bhwp.org. Presentation by Nancy Lawson. Conventional landscaping practices interfere with other organisms’ abilities to interact with their environment in hidden and unintended ways. The lexicon we use to describe habitat restoration efforts often reinforces these dynamics. Through science, heart, our powers of observation, and a more expansive language for our approaches to land-healing, we can learn to mitigate these disruptions and create sensory refuges in an increasingly noisy world. Register. $15. 2 to 3 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Saturday Morning Walking Club, Lawrence Hopewell Trail. www.lhtrail.org/ walkingclub. Walks are generally 2-3 miles. See the website for the meeting point and other details. Free. 9:30 a.m.

The Geology of Trenton, Trenton Walks!, State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton. gmtma.org/trail-happenings. Pierre Lacombe, retired hydrogeologist with 34 years of experience with the U.S. Geological Survey, leads a walk showing the pivotal role geology and geography played in Trenton’s history. From the Stone Age to the American Revolutionary War to the Industrial Revolution and more, the rocks of Trenton enabled the city to make nearly everything. Learn more about those rocks and what they’ve been used to make, including the Falls of the Delaware, the State Capitol, the Petty’s Run Archeological Excavation, Thomas Edison State University, the Old Barracks, and the Masonic Temple. 1.1-mile walk. 9:30 a.m.

Princeton Canal Walkers, Turning Basin Park, Alexander Road, Princeton. 3 mile walk on the towpath, weather permitting. Free. Register to canalwalkers@googlegroups.com for notices of weather-related cancellations. 10 a.m.

Shopping News

Christmas on the Farm, HolcombeJimison Farmstead Museum, 1605 Daniel Bray Highway (Route 29), Lambertville. www.holcombe-jimison. org. Artisan and craft vendors, photo ops, old time crafts, theme related Christmas ornaments for younger visitors, and a special visit with Santa. The 1711 House will be decorated in rustic décor with a nutcracker theme. Live music by Long Hill String Band from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 admission. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ohlala! French Boutique, Hopewell Train Station, 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell. Artists and artisans -- all francophones or francophiles -- present art, fashion, crafts, jewelry, gourmet foods, decor, and more. Portion of proceeds benefits Blue Bears Special Meals. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wreck the Halls, Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market, The Dome at Adventure Crossing, 515 Monmouth Road, Jackson. www.punkmarket.com. Hundreds of vendors, makers, and artists; dozens of food trucks; celebrity guests; live DJs; on-site tattooing; and sideshow performances. $15 general admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Artist Winter Village, Arts Council of Princeton, Hinds Plaza, Witherspoon

Continued on following page

Poet Barbara Krasner, a Pushcart Prize nominee and teacher at Mercer County Community College, leads a workshop on ekphrastic poetry — poetry inspired by visual art — on Wednesday, December 17, at the Lawrence Library.

Princeton Makes to Host Second Sunday Poetry Reading

Princeton Makes, a Princeton-based artist cooperative, and Ragged Sky Press, a local publisher focused on poetry, hosts a Second Sunday Poetry Reading on Sunday, December 14 at 4 p.m.

The readings take place at the new Princeton Makes store in the Princeton Shopping Center. The new store is located between Princeton Nassau Pediatrics and Rita’s.

The December reading features poetry by Lois Harrod and Chris Reed. Their readings are followed by an open mic available to up to 10 audience members who would like to read their original poetry.

Lois Marie Harrod’s l9th collection of poetry, “The Bed the Size of a Small Country,” appeared September 2025. Her “Spat” was published in May 2021, and her 17th collection, “Woman” was published by February 2020. “Nightmares of the Minor Poet” appeared in June 2016 Oaks; her chapbook “And She Took the Heart” appeared in January 2016; “Fragments from the Biography of Nemesis” (Cherry Grove Press) and the

December 13 Continued from preceding page

Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Festive pop-up shops, run by talented regional creatives, offer fun and unique gifts in cozy textiles, jewelry, hand-poured candles, charming children’s wear, pottery, wood, and more. Additional artists join from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Noon to 6 p.m.

Off the Wall Holiday Market West Windsor Arts Council, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. www.westwindsorarts.org. Holiday market featuring artisanmade products, from pieces of fine art to individually curated, handcrafted artisanal items. 2 to 4 p.m.

History

Scuttled by Revolution: Vandalia and the Grand Ohio Company William Trent House, 15 Market Street, Trenton. tinyurl.com/TalkDec7. Talk by Derrick Jason Cherry to describe plans developed during the early 1770s for a fourteenth American colony to be known as “Vandalia” and its fate as rebellion arose in the other colonies.. 4 p.m.

Sunday December 14

Chanukah begins at sunset Classical Music

A Feast of Carols Princeton Pro Musica, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. www.princetonpromusica.org. Favorites from Handel’s Messiah and favorite carols from across the ages in choral-orchestral arrangement with the 100-voice choir, two vocal soloists, and a full orchestra. Sold out at press time. 4 p.m.

Jazz & Blues

L.O.V.E. Jazz Orchestra Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing, 268

chapbook “How Marlene Mae Longs for Truth” (Dancing Girl Press) appeared in 2013. Dodge poet, life-long educator and writer, she is published in literary journals and online ezines from American Poetry Review to Zone 3. She presently teaches courses at the Center for Modern Aging, Princeton.

Chris Reed’s first collection of poems, “Two Years and Two Months,” published by Finishing Line Press, appeared last month, November 2025. The poems tell the story of the time her mother lived with her in Princeton, during the pandemic.

Chris Reed, a Unitarian Universalist minister with a focus on social justice issues, served the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton for 22 years, and as a Unitarian Universalist chaplain at Princeton University for 10 years. During her ministry she developed and wrote a guide for interfaith visits, “Neighboring Faiths” (Skinner

Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, 609-737-0515. www.uucwc.org. The large jazz ensemble featuring the most indemand jazz musicians in Philadelphia performs big band arrangements of jazz standards and holiday classics, as well as brand new compositions by members of the band. Suggested donation $20. Noon.

Trenton Makes Jazz Series: Jerry Compere Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, 609-989-1191. www.ellarslie.org. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for light refreshments. Register. Free; donations welcome. 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Live Music

Weekend Music Series Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 609-924-2310. www. terhuneorchards.com. Live music from 1 to 4 p.m. by Andrew Lobby. Fire pits, cafe favorites, hot mulled wine, and wine by the glass available. Hot cocoa and s’mores kits for kids. Noon to 5 p.m.

Darla, Rich, and Friends, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609-7374465. www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. Jazz. 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Soiree, Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown City. www.facebook.com/OldCityHallRestoration. Featuring the music and thoughts of Bordentown-based jazz and classical musician and composer Justin Lee. Free. 4 p.m.

Pop Music

Ed Hamell/Hamell on Trial, Randy Now’s Man Cave, 119 West Ward Street, Hightstown. www. mancavenj.com. Hamell is a selfdescribed one-man punk band who plays “loud, fast music informed by politics, passion, energy, and intelligence.” $20. 5 to 7 p.m.

Art

Open Studios, The Art Station, 148 Monmouth Street, Hightstown. www.artstationstudios. com. View the art and meet the artists during the semi-annual open studios at the historic building. Enjoy light refreshments and conversation. Learn what inspires the artists and about their creative process. Mix of art for sale includes painting, drawing, textiles,mixed media, collage, assemblage, sculpture, video, jewelry, ceramics and interactive art. Refreshments available. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

House) and before going into ministry, co-wrote a novel with her husband J.D. Reed, “Exposure” (Soho Press). Retired from active ministry, she has turned to writing poetry and stories.

Princeton Makes is a cooperative comprising 37 local artists who work across a range of artistic genres, including painting, drawing, stained glass, sculpture, textiles, and jewelry. Customers will be able to support local artists by shopping for a wide variety of art, including large paintings, prints, custom-made greeting cards, stained glass lamps and window hangings, jewelry in a variety of designs and patterns, and more.

Ragged Sky is a small, highly selective cooperative press. We work with our authors closely. Authors retain copyright and we use our experience and professional resources to support the author’s work through the editing, production, and design process. Ragged Sky Press has historically focused on mature voices, overlooked poets, and women’s perspectives.

Additional information is available at www. princetonmakes.com, and everyone is invited to follow Princeton Makes on Facebook and Instagram.

On Stage

Grammy-winning baritone John Brancy, right, and mezzo-soprano Kara Dugan, left, lend their talents to seasonal melodies along with the spirited voices of the Princeton High School Choir at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concerts on Saturday, December 13, in Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University.

p.m.

A Levittown Christmas Carol New Hope Arts, 2 Stockton Avenue, New Hope, Pennsylvania. www.newhopearts.org. The original musical by Righteous Jolly and David Garrett Shaw takes a gritty, hilarious, and heartfelt spin on reimagining of Dickens’ holiday classic. $35. 2 and 7:30 p.m.

A Merry Little Christmas Carol, Playhouse 22, East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, 732-254-3939. www.playhouse22.org. Play written by Mark

Shanahan and directed by Erik Hall is a new take on the old Charles Dickens classic. $24. 2 p.m.

Inspecting Carol Actors’ NET 635 North Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, PA, 215-295-3694. www. actorsnetbucks.org. Behind the scenes of a struggling theatre company’s annual slapdash production of “A Christmas Carol,” rehearsals are at a standstill. Tim is no longer tiny, Scrooge wants to do the show in Spanish and their funding is on hold pending an inspection. When an impossibly

Poets Lois Harrod and Chris Reed read from their work at Princeton Makes on Sunday, December 14.

bad actor is mistakenly identified as the inspector, the troupe does everything to accommodate his craziest wishes. Mistaken identities lead to side-splitting comedy as opening night draws closer and it seems only a Christmas miracle will save this production. $24. 2 p.m.

The 24 Days Before Christmas, Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, 908369-7469. www.svptheatre.org.

The Austin family has a cherished tradition of doing something special every day counting down to Christmas – from baking cookies to decorating the tree. This year is a stressful one for Vicky Austin, as she’s cast as the youngest angel in the Christmas Pageant. Plus, the family is preparing for the birth of a new brother or sister. Will the baby wait until January? Will Vicky mess up her big role? Will Christmas be ruined? $24. 2 p.m.

White Christmas Movie SingAlong, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.org. Featuring the Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney film classic. Come early for holiday treats and an ugly sweater contest. $20 to $22. 2 p.m.

Literati

Author Talk: The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook with Becky Diamond, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, 609-924-8144. www.morven.org. Spend a cozy morning enjoying tea and cookies while author and historian Becky Diamond leads an illustrated talk exploring her newest book, “The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook: Cookies and Treats from America’s Golden Era,” which features authentic recipes from sugar plums to jelly doughnuts, and holiday traditions dating back to the 19th century. $5 to $40, with Festival of Trees admission and copy of book. 11 a.m. to noon.

Second Sunday Poetry Reading, Princeton Makes & Ragged Sky Press, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. www.princetonmakes. com. Featuring Lois Harrod and Chris Reed. Limited open mic follows, first 10 to sign up. For more information, contact Jim Levine: princetonmakes@gmail.com. 4 p.m.

Faith

Service of Lessons and Carols St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, York and Main streets, Lambertville. www.standrewslambertville. org. The service follows that of King’s College, Cambridge, Eng-

Sounds of the Season: Voices Chorale, above, presents its holiday concert, ‘The Gift of Being Together,’ on Saturday, December 13, at Trinity Church in Princeton. Right, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lambertville offers a free Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 14.

land, adapted from an 1880 Christmas Eve service in Truro, England. It offers nine Lessons from Christian scripture, hymns, carols, and anthems. The choir, under the direction of Michael T. Kevane, leads singing of traditional carols presents Renaissance motets of Tomas Luis da Victoria and William Byrd, settings of traditional carols, and 20th century works by John Rutter and John Gardner. Free. 4 p.m.

Wellness

Free Class, Yoga4Sobriety, Plainsboro Municipal Building, 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro. Yoga4Sobriety.com/schedule.

Free 12 step-based yoga class. Beginners welcome; no experience required. Bring a mat and an open mind. No registration required for in-person attendance; visit website for access via Zoom. 9 to 10:15 a.m.

History

George Washington’s Delaware River Crossing, Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA. www.washingtoncrossingpark.org. Reenactment of the Christmas 1776 crossing at 1 p.m. Full day of activities and demonstrations that highlight 18th-century civilian and military life. Tom Hand, founder of Americana Corner, serves as guest narrator and featured author. Register. $9. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Princeton History Walking Tour Historical Society of Princeton, Princeton Battle Monument, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. www. princetonhistory.org. Walk around downtown Princeton and the University campus as you learn about historic sites in the area, including Nassau Hall, University Chapel and Palmer Square. $20. Register. 2 to 4 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Kingston Segment, Kingston Greenways Association, Lock Tender’s House, D&R Canal State Park, Route 27, Kingston. kingstongreenways.org. Catch the “early birds” until noon, break for lunch, then continue the count until dusk. Join for the morning, lunch, afternoon, or all of them. Help from experienced birder appreciated but novices welcome. Dress warmly and bring binoculars if you have them. Call Karen Linder at 609-683-0483 for more information. 7:30 a.m.

Shopping News

Christmas on the Farm, Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum, 1605 Daniel Bray Highway (Route 29), Lambertville. www. holcombe-jimison.org. Artisan and craft vendors, photo ops, old time crafts, theme related Christmas ornaments for younger visitors, and a special visit with Santa. The 1711 House will be decorated in rustic décor with a nutcracker theme. Live music by

Sawmill Run Old Time String Band from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 admission. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ohlala! French Boutique, Hopewell Train Station, 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell. Artists and artisans -- all francophones or francophiles -- present art, fashion, crafts, jewelry, gourmet foods, decor, and more. Portion of proceeds benefits Blue Bears Special Meals. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wreck the Halls Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market, The Dome at Adventure Crossing, 515 Monmouth Road, Jackson. www. punkmarket.com. Hundreds of vendors, makers, and artists; dozens of food trucks; celebrity guests; live DJs; on-site tattooing; and sideshow performances. $15 general admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Artist Winter Village Arts Council of Princeton, Hinds Plaza, Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Festive pop-up shops, run by talented regional creatives, offer fun and unique gifts in cozy textiles, jewelry, hand-poured candles, charming children’s wear, pottery, wood, and more. Additional artists join from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Noon to 6 p.m.

Socials

Holiday Party, Astrological Society of Princeton, Romeo’s Ristorante Italiano, 10 Schalks Crossing Road, Plainsboro, 732970-3709. www.aspnj.org. Food, astrological games, and door prizes. RSVP to aspinfo@aspnj.org or call 732-705-1351 by Wednesday, December 10. Free for members and their guests. BYOB. 1 p.m.

Monday December 15

Classical Music

The Brandenburg Concertos, McCarter Theater, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University, 609-258-2787. www.mccarter. org. Performed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. $59 to $104. 7:30 p.m.

Film

Diane Keaton Film Series: The First Wives Club, Ewing Library, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing. www.mcl.org. Rated PG, 1996. Wwith Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton. Reunited by the death of a college friend, three divorced women seek revenge on the husbands who left them for younger women. 103 minutes. 2 to 4 p.m.

Literati

Patti Smith: Bread of Angels Book Tour, McCarter Theater & Labyrinth Books, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. www.mccarter.org. Evening of

storytelling and reflection as Patti Smith celebrates the release of her deeply personal new memoir, “Bread of Angels.” In conversation with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, poet, and Director of Princeton University’s Program in Journalism, Eliza Griswold, Smith shares passages that chart her journey from her childhood in postwar America to her creative awakening and life as one of rock’s most influential voices. Conversation includes an intimate performance of a select few of Patti’s favorite songs with acoustic accompaniment. Sold out at press time. 7:30 p.m.

Good Causes

Arm In Arm Mobile Food Pantry, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. www.arminarm.org. Food and personal care products made available to those in need. No registration required. The Lawrence Township Health Department, the Mercer County Board of Social Services and the Mercer County Nutrition Program will have informational tables. 2 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday December 16

On Stage

A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. www. mccarter.org. Charles Dickens’

classic story of redemption and generosity adapted and directed by Lauren Keating. Cameron Knight stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. 7:30 p.m.

Dancing

Tuesday Night Folk Dance, Princeton Folk Dance, Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton. www.princetonfolkdance.org. No partner necessary. $5. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Food & Dining

Exploring Vegetarian Cooking: Pumpkin French Toast Casserole Hopewell Library, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. events.mcl.org. Explore a variety of vegetarian dishes, taste the featured dish, and leave with the recipe to inspire you at home. Register. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Socials

Annual Menorah Lighting, Palmer Square, Nassau Inn Patio, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton. www. palmersquare.com. Join for the ceremonial festivities, live music, and other fun. 4 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday December 17

Classical Music

Holiday Favorites and SingAlong Westminster Community Orchestra, Cullen Center, Hillman Performance Hall, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton. www.rider. edu/events. Concert of holiday favorites conducted by Ruth Ochs. Free; donations accepted to benefit area food pantries and service organizations. 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Art

Downtown Holiday Storefront Contest

Brings Creativity & Foot Traffic to Trenton

Downtown Trenton is getting a festive boost this season with the Downtown Holiday Storefront Contest, a community-driven initiative that pairs local artists with small businesses to transform storefront windows into creative holiday displays.

Sixteen downtown businesses are participating this year, showcasing a wide range of approaches—from painted murals and vinyl graphics to hand-crafted resin suncatchers. Each installation was created specifically for the hosting business, offering a unique blend of artistry and local identity.

The project helps businesses stand out during the holidays while giving artists paid work and visibility.

Public voting runs through Sunday, December 14. Visitors can cast their votes by scanning QR codes placed at each storefront or by using the online voting link shared on social media and partner websites. Each person may cast one vote.

After the voting period closes, the top eight designs will advance to the finalist round. The top three winners will then be selected by a neutral judging panel made up of members of the local artist community. The winning artist–business teams will receive $500, $300, and $200 respectively — with both the artist and the business receiving the prize amount.

Voters may also enter a raffle for

December 17

Continued from preceding page

a chance to win one of four LoveLocal gift cards (courtesy of the Trenton Downtown Association), redeemable at downtown businesses.

A Holiday Window Walk will take place on Friday, December 12, at 5:30 p.m. The event is aligned with the city’s Second Friday arts series, Trenton2Nite, and invites residents and visitors to tour all 16 artworks, enjoy free hot chocolate, and explore nearby shops and restaurants. Most storefronts are with-

through Wednesdays through Sundays through January 11. $12. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Stage

Elf: The Musical, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania, 215-862-2121. www.bcptheater.org. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The wouldbe elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 1:30 p.m.

Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show, George Street Playhouse, Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.georgestreetplayhouse.org. This fast, funny, and full-ofsurprises reimagining of A Christmas Carol takes Dickens’ classic tale and gives it a fresh, local twist. Expect all the traditional ghosts — Past, Present, and Future — along with plenty of Garden State spirit, unexpected laughs, and a dash of holiday magic. $35 and up. 7:30 p.m.

A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. www.mccarter.org. Charles Dickens’ classic story of redemption and generosity adapted and directed by Lauren Keating. Cameron Knight stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. 7:30 p.m.

Film

Wednesday Film Festival: Devil in a Blue

in a comfortable walking distance, but a free GoTrenton! shuttle will be available to help visitors reach the locations that are farther away.

“These displays draw attention. That’s good for businesses, and it gives artists a chance to show what they can do,” said Christopher Shimchick of Isles, Inc.

After the walk, visitors are invited to Much Better Studios for the Trenton Creatives Artist Spotlight Show — a pop-up photo gal-

Author and historian Becky Diamond leads an illustrated talk exploring her newest book, ‘The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook: Cookies and Treats from America’s Golden Era,’ on Sunday, December 14, at Morven Museum and Garden.

Dress West Windsor Public Library, 333 North Post Road, West WiIndsor. www.poetryreadinggroup.wordpress.com. 1995 film starring Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle, Maury Chaykin, and Terry Kinney. Rated R, 101 minutes. 2 p.m.

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Lawrence Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence. events.mcl.org. Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their home. 192 minutes. Rated PG-13. Register. 4:30 to 7:45 p.m.

It’s a Wonderful Life, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. Jimmy Stewart stars as a selfless small-town banker on the verge of ruin. Contemplating suicide, he is visited by an angel who shows him that, despite his lost dreams, the impact of his good work has improved countless lives. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Literati

Artful Writing: An Ekphrastic Workshop Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. www.mcl.org. Discover the power of visual art to spark poetic and narrative expression in this generative workshop led by Barbara Krasner, author of “Poems of the Winter Palace” and “The Night Watch.” Using works from Impressionists to Surrealists, participants explore tone, mood, and form through timed prompts in any genre. Krasner, a Pushcart Prize nominee, teaches at Mercer County Community College and edits its literary magazine, Kelsey Review. 2:30 p.m.

lery featuring work by local photographers. A full list and map of participat-

ing storefronts and the voting link, can be found at www.creektocanalcreative.org

Wellness

Wild Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA. www.bhwp.org. Gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems with Priscilla Hayes. Register. Pay what you can, $8 and up. 8 to 9 a.m.

Lectures

Charles M. Schulz: An American Cartoonist, Mercer County Library. events.mcl. org. This year marks 75 years since Charles M. Schulz’ beloved “Peanuts” comic strip debuted on October 2, 1950. Take a pictorial journey through Schulz’ life and career and learn why “Peanuts” is one of the most popular and influential comic strips ever. Presented by Jessica Ruskin, Education Director at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. Virtual program; register to receive link. 6 p.m.

Socials

Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princ-

eton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Princeton Comic Makers presents: JERSEY ART MEETUPS (JAM), a weekly social event connecting creatives within the greater Central Jersey area through a shared passion for sequential art and new media. Attendees may use this open workshop space to draw, write, and develop their own artwork, with an opportunity to receive peer review and feedback from other members if desired. Illustrators, animators, writers, and generalists are all welcome to join and discuss their art and career goals, share learning resources, promote current projects, or find friends and collaborators. Must be 16+ to attend. Free. 7 to 9 p.m.

For Seniors

From Petals to Pine: Holiday Arrangement Workshop, Center for Modern Aging Princeton, 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton. www.cmaprinceton.org. Festive bouquet-making workshop where fragrant evergreens, vibrant holiday blooms, and cheerful accents come together in your very own one-of-a-kind arrangement. No experience needed. Register. $30. 6:30 to 8 p.m

A snowman greets visitors to Fabio’s Pizza while an artist puts the finishing touches on penguinthemed decorations at another Trenton storefront.

PRE VIEW

This Christmas, Treat Yourself to a Local Tree

For New Jersey’s many tree farms, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas bring the crowds they work toward all year — people who come not just to buy a tree, but to take part in something that feels like the official start of the season.

What many don’t know is that Mercer County has bragging rights when it comes to this tradition.

The first commercial Christmas tree farm in the United States took root in Hamilton Township, where William V. McGalliard began planting Norway spruces in 1901. Hoping to turn rocky farmland into profit, he instead helped spark a holiday custom that swept the nation.

He planted 25,000 spruce seedlings and 5,000 saplings from Charles Black of Hightstown. When the first trees matured around 1907, McGalliard sold them for $1 each, long before choosing a tree became the family-centered excursion we know today.

Born in 1857, McGalliard spent his life in White Horse, where he farmed, served on local boards, and built the town’s water works. His blend of entrepreneurship and public service helped transform his community, and his unlikely gamble on Christmas trees grew into a nationwide industry.

Though his farm is now the site of Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home, his legacy lives on in the thousands of tree farms across America.

That same spirit of tradition thrives today at Jack’s Nursery & Landscaping in Hopewell Township, where Edward “Jack” Jackowski and his wife, Anita, have spent nearly three decades tending evergreens and greeting generations of returning families.

Jackowski grows Black Hills spruce, Canaan fir, and Norway spruce — species that do well in the clay-rich soil on his Hopewell Township property.

“The Black Hills spruce look like they’d hurt, but they don’t,” he said while feeling the needles on one of the trees. “Regular spruce trees bite. They hurt you. But the Black Hills don’t.”

Jakowski said that while many families choose from Jack’s precut selection, for parents with young children, he often recommends exploring the fields.

“Kids remember running around out here,” he said. “Anybody can go to Home Depot and get a tree. But when kids come out here, they have a ball picking one. They’ll remember that.”

He stresses the importance of a fresh cut before the tree goes into its stand. “We trim a quarter inch off the bottom,” he said. “If the sap hardens, the water can’t go up.”

Once home, he said customers should get the tree into water immediately. “Warm water and sugar is the old trick, but we sell a product called ProLong. It keeps the sap from sealing over.”

Jack’s also sells a limited num-

ber of ball-and-burlap trees for replanting. Four- to five-foot sizes are the most manageable.

“I tell people to dig the hole before Christmas,” he said. “New Jersey weather is crazy. If the ground freezes, that thing’s not going in.”

Weather has shaped many memorable seasons on the farm. “I’ve sold trees in a T-shirt, and I’ve sold them in 35 degrees and raining,” he said. “We’re out there freezing and people still come.”

One year a sudden freeze encased every tree in ice. “We couldn’t even run ’em through the netting,” he said. “I finally told people, ‘There’s the trees — 20 bucks.’ It was that bad.”

But what keeps him going is the people. “I’ve watched kids grow up out here,” he said. “Some were babies the first time they came. Now they’re bringing their kids. It’s tradition.”

After decades working the fields, Jackowski has come to understand trees from the grower’s point of view — how they behave, how they surprise people, and how families connect with them.

But across New Jersey, other growers see the holiday tree tradition from a broader vantage point, and few know that landscape better than Allison Cole.

Cole, who serves as the executive secretary of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, has seen just about every kind of tree — and every kind of customer — there is.

She said she could usually tell within a few minutes which families wanted a neat, symmetrical fir and which ones would proudly take home something a little wild-looking.

“You’ve got spruces and firs and pines, and they differ in their needles,” said Cole in a past interview with Community News Service.

“There are some exotic, off-thewall varieties, too.”

Her years in the business have taught her that every tree has its own personality. A white pine, with its soft, graceful needles, has a certain elegance — like a dancer twirling in slow motion. The sturdy Colorado blue spruce, meanwhile, has an icy beauty, its steel-blue hue glowing under white lights. But it’s not one to handle carelessly.

“You have to trim that one wearing gloves,” Cole said. “The needles are so sharp even the deer won’t nibble on it.”

Then there are the firs — Douglas, Concolor, and Fraser. Their full branches can hold heavy ornaments, their scent fills a room instantly, and, as Cole said, “they have good needle retention.”

Cole said she sometimes chose her own tree not for perfection but for personality.

“I’ve brought home the tree that was maybe bit by a tractor,” she said with a grin. “I can always make it beautiful.”

Still, practicality matters.

“You’d be surprised how many people forget to measure their ceil-

by Bill Sanservino

ing,” she said. “They find the perfect tree, bring it home, and then realize they don’t have room for the star or angel on top.”

Like any fashion, tree trends come and go. “Twenty-five years ago everyone wanted Scotch pine,” she said. “Now it’s all about the firs.”

Freshness remains central to her advice.

“It’s much better to go to a local tree farm and either cut it yourself or have it cut for you there,” she said. “That way you know it’s fresh.”

Once home, timing and care are crucial. “Get it into water as soon as possible,” she said. If it needs to sit outside before decorating, she said to keep it in a bucket of water in the garage or on the shaded side of the house.

“I usually give mine a gallon of clean water every day or every other day,” she said. “You just have to see what it needs.”

For some families, the love of Christmas trees goes beyond one holiday season. Many farms sell ball-and-burlap trees with roots still attached, ready to be replanted.

“People like to use them in their landscaping and say, ‘Oh, that was our Christmas tree from a few years ago,’” Cole said.

She said real trees remain the environmentally friendly choice.

“You may have an artificial tree for 20 years, but when you throw it out, it sits in a landfill forever because you can’t recycle it,” she said.

In New Jersey, the business of Christmas trees is less about competition and more about community. “We’re all friends,” Cole said. “We help each other out.”

She said the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers’ Association meets throughout the year to share advice, compare species performance, and trade stories from the field.

“It’s a group of people who love what they do,” she said. “We’re all in it for the same reason — because we love trees and we love the holidays.”

That sentiment extends to the public. Buying a tree locally supports small, family-owned farms and turns what could be a chore into a memorable outing.

“You’re not just buying a tree,” Cole said. “You’re making a tradition.”

The Association says it is committed to keeping that tradition alive for generations. Its members grow, prune, shape, and care for thousands of trees so that each December, families can walk through the fields in search of “the one.”

“People come back year after year,” Cole said. “We see their kids grow up. It’s like being part of their Christmas story.”

And that, in the end, is what keeps Cole and her fellow growers smiling even after long, cold December days in the fields.

“It’s worth it,” she said. “You’re part of something that brings people joy.”

Area Tree Farms

A & M Farm and Garden Center, 1203 Route 130, Robbinsville. Fresh-cut Christmas trees, custom wreaths, holiday décor, grave blankets, and seasonal gifts for the home and garden. 609-448-0663 or aandmgardencenter.com/ winter

Barclay’s Tree Farm, 35 Orchardside Drive, Cranbury. Choose-and-cut and a limited selection of pre-cut trees, plus fresh wreaths, stands and local honey. 609-799-1855 or barclaystreefarm.com

Carroll’s Christmas Tree Farm, 3980 Princeton Pike, Lawrence Township. Douglas, Fraser, and Concolor firs (and more); handmade wreaths, swags, and garlands; plus seasonal family activities. Carroll’s Christmas Tree Farm on Facebook. 609-647-2623

Colavita Christmas Tree Farm, 1761 Dolington Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania. Chooseand-cut, pre-cut, and balled trees plus a Wreath Barn making fresh wreaths daily with custom décor, along with roping and bows for doorways and mantels. 215-4933563 or colavitachristmastreefarm.com

Countryview Farm Nursery, 601 Buckelew Avenue, Monroe Township. Fresh-cut and balled firs and spruces, decorated wreaths, grave blankets, and seasonal shrubs. Hot cocoa and Santa visits on select days. 732-446-5141 or countryviewfarmnursery.com

Jack’s Nursery & Landscaping, 10 Woosamonsa Road, Hopewell Township. Fresh-cut trees (plus a limited selection of uncut nursery trees), poinsettias, and greens. 609-737-0224 or jacksnurseryandlandscaping.com

Keris Tree Farm & Christmas Shop, 848 Route 524, Allentown. Choose-and-cut firs/spruces and pre-cut Fraser and Balsam; Christmas shop with handmade ornaments, wreaths, and gifts. 609-2590720 or kerischristmastreefarm. com

Edward ‘Jack’ Jackowski and his wife, Anita, of Jack’s Nursery and Landscaping in Hopewell.

Lazy Susan Tree Farm, 184 Sharon Road, Robbinsville. Family-run with cut-your-own and precut trees, fresh handmade wreaths, and complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes by the firepit. 609208-0784 or lazysusantreefarm. com

Longford Gardens/Makrancy’s, 947 Kuser Road. Hamilton, Historically sells pre-cut trees and holiday greens at the garden center; current online info is inconsistent. Call ahead to confirm hours and availability. 609-981-7667

McLaughlin Tree Farm, 1312 Old York Road, Robbinsville. Selection of choose-and-cut trees with free baling and loading, saws and wagons, hot chocolate and popcorn, handmade wreaths, garland and baked goods. 609-2598122 or intrees.net

Stone Manor Farm (formerly Pleasant Valley), 47 Pleasant Valley Road, Titusville. Classic choose-and-cut experience, specializing in large trees as well. 609818-1241 or stonemanorfarmnj. com

Simonson Farms (Cranbury/ East Windsor) operates several fields, with main locations at 120 Cranbury Neck Road and 118/260 Dey Road. Big species selection, pre-cut at Cranbury Neck Road, and wagon rides on weekends. 609-799-0140 or simonsonfarms. com

Spruce Goose Christmas Tree Farm, 194 Bordentown-Georgetown Road, Chesterfield. Familyrun for 30+ years with choose-andcut firs and spruces, fresh wreaths, and on-farm tools/services. 609298-2498 or sprucegoosefarm. wordpress.com

For more information, tips, and a list of farms near you, visit njchristmastrees.org

Life in the Fast Lane

Management Moves

Dingle Appointed Penn Medicine Princeton Health COO

Penn Medicine Princeton Health recently announced that Dann Dingle has been selected as its chief operating officer (COO).

For the past 21 years, Dingle has served in roles that progressed in scope and responsibility, including director of security, director of support services and emergency management, and most recently, assistant vice president, support services. During this time, he played a pivotal role in directing the Princeton Health COVID-19 pandemic emergency management response.

Dingle led keystone development projects across the hospital campus, including the parking garage and the recently launched Penn Medicine Princeton Cancer Center construction project.

In the COO role, Dingle oversees facility operations and emergency management, along with support services — including environmental services, food and nutrition, security, and engineering — as well as pharmacy, outpatient infusion, and laboratory functions.

A member of the Penn Medicine Princeton Health executive leadership team, Dingle will partner across the organization to maintain a commitment to patient-centered care, multi-stakeholder collaboration, process improvement, financial stewardship, and employee engagement.

Dingle earned his master of science in health science with a focus on clinical operations and healthcare management from The George Washington University. He also earned a bachelor of science in healthcare administration with a focus on emergency management from the University of Phoenix.

Clockwise from above left, Dann Dingle is the new chief operating officer at Penn Medicine Princeton Health; Grant Halloran is the new CEO of Billtrust; Dana Caragine has been named president and CEO of Princeton Federal Credit Union; and Thomas S. Papa has been appointed vice president for finance, chief administrative officer and treasurer of Rider University.

Dingle has gained certifications in Incident Command Systems and Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Programs. Dingle is a certified instructor in Hazmat Operations/Awareness and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

Billtrust Appoints Grant Halloran As New CEO

Billtrust, the Hamilton-based provider of B2B accounts receivable workflow and payment software, has announced the appointment of Grant Halloran as chief executive officer.

Halloran has more than 25 years of leadership experience, most recently as CEO of Planful, where he orchestrated a multi-year transformation that tripled revenue, doubled the customer base and em-

ployee count, and solidified its position as a market leader in financial performance management. Prior to Planful, he served in executive leadership roles at Anaplan, Infor, Heavy AI, and Orbis.

“Grant has an incredible track record of helping enterprise software companies scale globally while staying laser-focused on customer outcomes,” said David Post, Billtrust chairman and senior operating advisor with EQT Partners. “His ability to combine strategic vision with operational excellence will accelerate Billtrust’s mission to redefine how finance leaders manage working capital and customer relationships.”

“I’m thrilled to join Billtrust to serve this talented team and our thousands of customers across the globe,” Halloran said. “While complex mid-market and enterprise companies have partnered

Edited by Sara Hastings

with us for many years to simplify and streamline converting B2B sales to cash, we are now in the era where AI is augmenting these processes. Billtrust is at the vanguard of innovation in this area, which makes this an even more exciting time to join the company.”

Recent innovations by Billtrust in AI-powered accounts receivable automation include Billtrust Autopilot, an advanced agentic AI assistant, and a multi-agent platform architecture designed to transform AR workflows with unprecedented efficiency and insight. In collections, Billtrust has introduced Agentic Email, Cases for dispute management, Credit Review, and Collections Analytics, enabling finance teams to resolve issues faster, reduce risk, and improve customer experience. Most recently, the company launched Collections Agentic Procedures, which autonomously recommends and executes optimal outreach strategies, setting a new standard for intelligent AR management.

More information: www.billtrust.com.

Princeton Federal Credit Union Names New President and CEO

Princeton Federal Credit Union (PFCU) has announced the appointment of Dana Caragine as its new president and chief executive officer, succeeding Samuel J. Paulicelli, who retires following an accomplished 21-year tenure.

“After a comprehensive national search, it was clear that Dana brings the right combination of vision, leadership, institutional understanding, and commitment to member service to guide Princeton Federal Credit Union into its next chapter,” PFCU Board Chair Adam Coyne said. “Her track record of building strong teams and delivering for our members positions us well for the future. The Board is confident that Dana is the right leader to continue strengthening the Credit Union and the communities we serve.”

With more than two decades of experience in banking, wealth and asset management, investment advisory, and private lending, Cara-

gine brings expertise in both financial strategy and digital innovation. She has held senior positions at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Invesco, and privately held lending firms, where her work centered on the intersection of technology, marketing, and client experience.

Caragine joined Princeton Federal Credit Union in April, 2024, as senior director of lending and Mmarketing, reporting to Paulicelli and collaborating closely with CFO Joe Vitti to drive growth and enhance member engagement.

“Their decades of leadership commitment have built a thriving home for members and colleagues at PFCU,” Caragine said. “I am honored and humbled to lead us forward, as someone who fell in love with Princeton early in life and more recently discovered PFCU’s strong culture. I appreciate the vibrant, diverse, and intellectually rigorous mosaic of people who comprise this community — and I’m confident in our future, alongside this incredible group of colleagues.”

A Princeton University Class of 2002 graduate, Caragine earned her bachelor of science in engineering in operations research and financial engineering. Among the early beneficiaries of Princeton’s landmark 2001 financial aid enhancements, she credits that experience with sparking her passion for financial opportunity and inclusion.

Founded in 1972, PFCU serves individuals who live, work, worship, or study in Princeton and surrounding communities. More information: princetonfcu.org.

Papa Named to Rider Leadership Post

Thomas S. Papa has been appointed vice president for finance, chief administrative officer and treasurer for Rider University. His tenure began on November 30. Papa, who has been serving as interim vice president for finance and chief administrative officer since September 15, will oversee the Office of Information Technology, Human Resources, Facilities Management and University Operations, and Finance.

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“In just two short months, Tom’s strategic insight and collaborative leadership style have helped Rider build a pathway toward reinstating the university’s financial stability as we navigate a restructuring and look toward a vibrant, thriving Reimagined Rider,” says John R. Loyack, president of Rider University.

As a member of Loyack’s senior leadership team, Papa has played a key role in informing the March to Sustainability Plan, a restructuring initiative that seeks to reestablish Rider’s financial stability and prepare for a stronger, sustainable Rider University. He has led the Finance Division as it assessed Rider’s current financial position, quantified its level of structural deficit and projected its cash position based on available revenues and projected expenditures.

“I have not been a Bronc long, but it has been an honor to join this passionate and dedicated community,” says Papa. “I believe in Rider University’s life-changing impact on its students and am excited to see how we collectively continue to improve upon and expand that transformative student experience.”

With more than 25 years of C-suite and executive leadership experience across higher education, government and the nonprofit sector, Papa is widely recognized for his ability to lead financial transformation and stabilization. His career includes senior roles at several large organizations as well as the New Jersey Department of Human Services where he managed a $1.7 billion budget and oversaw more than 8,000 employees.

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BriteLife Recovery Acquires Summit Behavioral Health

BriteLife Recovery, a provider of detox and residential substance use treatment across the East Coast, has acquired Summit Behavioral Health, a community-based intensive outpatient program (IOP) for addiction treatment located on Quakerbridge Road in West Windsor.

The acquisition strengthens the continuum of care between residential and outpatient services and marks BriteLife Recovery’s first expansion into outpatient programming.

Through this transition, Summit Behavioral Health’s IOP will join BriteLife Recovery’s broader treatment network. The program provides flexible, structured treatment during daytime and evening hours. Summit Behavioral Health will also benefit from ad-

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ditional resources, including BriteLife Recovery’s transportation services, alumni programming, BALM (Be A Loving Mirror) Family Recovery Program, and expanded clinical training and supervision.

“BriteLife Recovery is committed to providing exceptional clinical care across the full continuum of treatment,” said Dr. Jennifer Richards, chief clinical officer of BriteLife Recovery. “Integrating our model of care into an outpatient setting ensures clients receive the same robust, relationshipcentered treatment found in our residential programs, delivered with the flexibility needed to support long-term engagement and sustained recovery.”

“For more than 10 years, Summit Behavioral Health has been a local leader in intensive outpatient addiction treatment,” said Courtney Feldscher, clinical director of Summit Behavioral Health. “Joining BriteLife Recovery strengthens that legacy and expands the support we can offer to individuals and families throughout the region.”

The combined organization hosts a Community Open House on Thursday, December 11, from noon to 3 p.m. at the facility at 4065 Quakerbridge Road. Attendees may tour the center, meet the care team, and learn more about the expanded services now available. Register at www.britelife.com/njopen.

Zone 7 Absorbs Just Farmed

Zone 7 LLC, a Ringoes-based wholesale local food hub founded in 2008, announced on December 2 the absorption of Just Farmed, the New Jersey-based directto-consumer (DTC) local farm box delivery service. The move brings more than a decade of partnership under one roof, reinforcing Zone 7’s mission to strengthen the local and regional food system across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Zone 7 has been the primary supplier for Just Farmed since the delivery service’s inception in 2013, solidifying a close operational relationship in 2020 by assisting with delivery logistics using Zone 7’s refrigerated vehicles. This absorption marks a natural evolution of that long-standing collaboration.

“This is an incredibly exciting step in the evolution of Zone 7,” said Mikey Azzara, Lawrenceville native and founder and owner of Zone 7. “By officially bringing Just Farmed into Zone 7, we are gaining invaluable expertise and we are excited to expand our reach and deliver more good food directly to families across our region, all while maintaining our high-quality service for our wholesale customers.”

Beginning January 1, Zone 7 will fully in-

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tegrate Just Farmed’s operations and begin delivering directly to households. A core component of this transition is the retention of key talent and systems from the Just Farmed team, including founder Meredith Lehman, to ensure a seamless experience for all customers.

“For over a decade, Just Farmed and Zone 7 have been committed partners in bringing fresh, local food from the farm to the customer,” Lehman said. “This absorption is a seamless transition that preserves the integrity of the farm box model while leveraging Zone 7’s infrastructure and extensive network. I look forward to working with Mikey and the entire Zone 7 team to expand the impact of local agriculture and connect consumers to the best local and regional food our farmers have to offer.”

More information: www.freshfromzone7. com.

City of Trenton Opens RFIs for Development Opportunities

The City of Trenton’s Department of Housing and Economic Development has released multiple Requests for Information (RFIs), inviting qualified developers, builders, and community development organizations to submit information and expressions of interest for the redevelopment of infill housing, mixed-use projects, and historic residential properties. These RFIs are part of the city’s ongoing efforts to expand housing opportunities, strengthen mixed-use corridors, and preserve historically significant buildings.

Historic Renovation: 48-54 Passaic Street. The City invites qualified developers, builders, and community development organizations to submit information and expressions of interest for the preservation and redevelopment of a historic residential property.

Originally constructed in 1690, it was a stone structure as first built as a barn for stor-

Ringoes-based Zone 7 LLC has absorbed direct-to-consumer farm box delivery service Just Farmed.

ing goods along Canal Street, reflecting Trenton’s early colonial roots. Over time, the building was converted into townhousestyle residences, featuring private yards, full baths and gas heat.

Believed to date back to the early 1700s, the building originally served as a stone barn along the Delaware & Raritan Canal, reflecting Trenton’s early industrial and colonial roots. Over the centuries, it evolved into a row of townhouse-style residences.

Mixed-Use Development: 1250-1260 MLK Boulevard. Redevelopment of six contiguous city-owned parcels.

Infill Residential Development: 100 Asbury Street, 102 Asbury Street, and 2 Asbury Place. Redevelopment of three contiguous city-owned parcels.

Redevelopment of five contiguous Cityowned parcels located at 618 Edgewood Avenue, 620 Edgewood Avenue, 622 Edgewood Avenue, 624 Edgewood Avenue and 626-628 Edgewood Avenue, Trenton.

Redevelopment of two contiguous Cityowned parcels located at 53 Asbury Street and 55 Asbury Street, Trenton.

Redevelopment of three contiguous Cityowned parcels located at 58 Asbury Street, 60 Asbury Street and 62 Asbury Street, Trenton.

Redevelopment of six contiguous Cityowned parcels located at 241 Third Street, 111 Temple Street, 113 Temple Street, 115 Temple Street, 117 Temple Street, 119 Temple Street, Trenton.

Redevelopment two contiguous Cityowned parcel lots located at 233 North Broad Street, 235 North Broad Street, 237 North Broad Street, 245 North Broad Street, 249 North Broad Street, 251 North Broad Street, 253 North Broad Street, and 255 North Broad Street, Trenton.

Full details of the RFIs can be viewed on the City of Trenton’s website at www.trentonnj.org/buyproperty.

Happy Holidays!

BEST WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON AND A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH PEACE, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

@capitalhealthnj

Healthy Eating After the Holidays

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 6 p.m. | Location: Zoom Meeting

Get back on track after the holidays with DR. KASHIF ANWAR and registered dietitian EMILY SANTORA from Capital Health Metabolic and Weight Loss Center. They’ll share tips for creating healthy eating habits that last, including mindfulness, exercise, and healthy nutrition.

This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

@capitalhealthnj