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Entrepreneur Certificate Program.

Entrepreneurs looking for a more structured learning experience can enroll in the New Jersey Small Business Development Center’s Entrepreneur Certificate Program, which begins Saturday, July 18.

The online program runs through September and covers business startup fundamentals, business planning, financing, record keeping and marketing. It is designed for aspiring business owners as well as entrepreneurs who recently launched a venture and want a stronger foundation before taking the next step.

The schedule includes sessions on business startup basics, business plans, financing a small business, record keeping and marketing strategies for small businesses. The program is offered through the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College. The fee is $590. For more information go to njsbdc.com. *** HomeFront Career And Volunteer Fair. HomeFront will hold a career and volunteer fair Wednesday, July 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at its new resource hub, 222 North Hermitage Avenue, Trenton.

The event is designed for people interested in working or volunteering in a socialservices and community-oriented setting.

HomeFront works with families experiencing homelessness, poverty, hunger and housing instability, and the fair gives prospective applicants and volunteers a chance to learn more about available roles and ways to get involved.

The fair may appeal to people looking

for full-time work, mission-driven employment, community-service opportunities or a first step toward volunteering with a nonprofit that serves families and children in Mercer County. For more information go to homefrontnj.org. *** AI Basics For Businesses. The New Jersey Small Business Development Center will offer “Make AI Work for You” on Thursday, July 23, from 4 to 5 p.m.

The online workshop is designed for small business owners and their teams.

No prior artificial intelligence knowledge or technical background is required. Participants are asked to bring business challenges and a laptop, suggesting the session is meant to be practical rather than theoretical.

The program may be useful for business owners trying to understand how AI tools can support productivity, marketing, customer service, operations or everyday problem-solving without requiring a major technology investment. The workshop is offered at no cost. For more information go to njsbdc.com. *** Online Visibility Workshop. SCORE will offer “Get Ranked & Recommended with SEO & GEO” on Thursday, July 23, at noon.

The online workshop focuses on improving online visibility through Google Search, Google Maps and emerging AI-driven platforms. It is aimed at business owners who want customers to find them more easily online and understand how search is changing as artificial intelligence tools become part of the discovery process.

The program may be useful for small businesses, consultants, retailers, restaurants, service providers and nonprofits trying to make better use of their websites, listings and online presence. For more

information go to score.org.

AI Grant Writing For Nonprofits.

SCORE will offer “The Art of Grant Writing with AI for your Nonprofit” on Tuesday, July 28, at noon.

The webinar will focus on using artificial intelligence tools to support grant writing while still aligning proposals with grant-makers’ priorities and maintaining a personal touch. The program is aimed at nonprofit leaders, staff members and volunteers involved in fundraising, development or program support.

The session may be useful for small nonprofits that need to pursue grants but do not have large development departments. It also fits organizations trying to understand where AI can help with drafts, research and structure without replacing judgment, mission knowledge or human voice. For more information go to score. org.

Arts & Creativity

Shakespeare Auditions At Kelsey.

Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College has posted open auditions for a Shakespeare production, with auditions scheduled Sunday, July 19, from noon to 4 p.m. at MCCC and Monday, July 20, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The College of New Jersey.

Actors are encouraged to prepare a twominute comic or romantic Shakespeare monologue of their choice or select from provided speeches. Specific room information will be provided in audition confirmation emails.

The opportunity is aimed at performers interested in classical theater, comedy, romance and community-stage experience. Actors must sign up for an audition appointment. For more information go to kelsey.mccc.edu. *** Stor ytellers And Poets Open Mic.

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The Arts Council of Princeton will host Story & Verse, a storytelling and poetic open mic, on Thursday, July 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Solley Theater.

The program gives writers, poets, storytellers and spoken-word performers a chance to share original work in front of an audience. Participants may bring a story, poem or prose piece, while audience members can attend to listen.

The monthly open mic is designed for both emerging and experienced writers and performers. It also offers a low-pressure way for people to test new material, return to the microphone or connect with the local writing and performance community. For more information go to artscouncilofprinceton.org. *** MithilaVerse Artist Submissions.

West Windsor Arts is accepting entries for “MithilaVerse: Folk Meets Future,” an art show connected to Mithila art and contemporary interpretation.

Artists may submit up to three works for consideration. The entry fee is $25 for West Windsor Arts members and $35 for nonmembers. The submission period runs through Monday, Aug. 3.

The opportunity is designed for artists interested in exploring the connection between folk traditions and contemporary creative practice. Artists should review the call for theme, eligibility, delivery requirements and exhibition details before submitting. For more information go to westwindsorarts.org. *** Quilt Guild Card-Making Workshop. The Arts Council of Princeton will host a gallery talk and card-making workshop with the Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild on Saturday, July 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Taplin Gallery.

Participants will use fabric scraps to create designs on cardstock using glue and scissors. The workshop is connected to the exhibition “Ten Years of Threads: The Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild’s Journey Through Fabric and History,” on view July 11 through Aug. 8.

The workshop is open to participants of all ages, from elementary school through adulthood. Elementary-aged children must attend with a guardian.

No registration is required. For more information go to artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Cafe Improv Performer Slots. Cafe Improv returns to the Arts Council of Princeton’s Solley Theater on Saturday, July 25, from 7 to 10 p.m.

The long-running program features music, poetry, comedy and other performances by local and regional artists.

Performers can register for a time slot, while audience members can attend to hear a mix of original work and community talent.

The program is designed for beginning and professional performers alike, giving musicians, comedians, writers and other artists a place to share material in front of a live audience. For more information go to artscouncilofprinceton.org. *** Watercolor Artist Submissions Sought. The Arts Council of Princeton’s artist-opportunities page lists a call for the New Jersey Watercolor Society’s 84th Annual Open Juried Exhibition.

The call is open to New Jersey artists age 18 and older, as well as NJWS signature members living outside New Jersey. Artists working in watercolor and water media are invited to submit work for consideration.

The submission deadline is Monday, Aug. 17. The exhibition will run Oct. 4 through 24 at Middletown Arts Center, with accepted artists eligible for more than $8,000 in cash and merchandise awards. For more information go to artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Film & Media

Halloween Film Festival Deadline.

Independent filmmakers have until Friday, July 25, to meet the regular submission deadline for the Lambertville Halloween Film Festival.

Presented through ACME Screening Room, the festival seeks short horror, suspense, thriller and Halloween-themed films running 44 minutes or less. The festival accepts a range of genre work, including psychological horror, supernatural stories, horror comedy, science fiction, experimental films and special-effects-driven shorts.

The festival is scheduled for Oct. 16 through 18 in Lambertville. Later submission deadlines continue into August, but the regular deadline gives filmmakers a lower-cost window before late fees apply. For more information go to filmfreeway.com. *** New Hope Film Submissions.

Filmmakers can submit work for consideration for the 2027 New Hope Film Festival, with a regular deadline of Friday, Aug. 28.

The festival accepts submissions in multiple categories, including narrative features, documentary features, narrative shorts, documentary shorts, student films, music videos and webisodes.

Submitted films are considered for the 2027 festival, scheduled for April 16 through 25.

The opportunity may be useful for regional filmmakers, student filmmakers and independent producers looking for a nearby festival with a long-running presence in Bucks County. Submission fees vary by category and deadline. For more information go to filmfreeway. com. *** New Hope Screenplay Submissions. The New Hope Film Festival Script Competition is accepting screenplays for consideration, with a regular deadline of Friday, Aug. 28.

The competition gives screenwriters a separate pathway from film submissions, allowing writers to submit scripts even if the work has not been produced.

Later deadlines continue into the fall and winter, but the regular deadline offers a lower-cost submission window.

The opportunity may appeal to writers working on feature scripts, shorts or other screen projects who want to connect their work to the New Hope Film Festival’s broader programming. For more information go to filmfreeway. com.

Youth & Family

Rockin’ Caterpillar Craft. Princeton Public Library will offer a “Take & Make — Rockin’ Caterpillar” craft on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The program gives children and families a simple hands-on project to take part in during a library visit. Take-andmake activities are designed for families who want a flexible activity rather than a longer scheduled class or performance.

The craft is part of the library’s summer programming and gives younger patrons a creative project connected to the season’s broader reading and learning activities. For more information go to princetonlibrary.org. *** Tiny T. Rex Party Brings Author To Library. Princeton Public Library will host “Tiny T. Rex Party with Jonathan Stutzman” on Friday, July 24, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. in the Community Room.

The program features author Jonathan Stutzman and is built around his “Tiny T. Rex” books. Children and families can take part in a themed author event connected to reading, storytelling and summer library programming.

The program is part of the library’s summer lineup for young readers and families. Families should check registration details before attending. For more information go to princetonlibrary.org. *** Cooks And Books Program. Princeton Public Library will offer “Cooks + Books: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” on Wednesday, July 29, from 3 to 4 p.m.

The program combines reading with a hands-on food or food-themed activity connected to the children’s book. It is designed for young readers and families who want a participatory summer

library program tied to a familiar story.

The program gives children a way to connect books, imagination and kitchen creativity while taking part in a structured library activity. Families should check age guidance and registration details before attending. For more information go to princetonlibrary.org. *** School Of Rock Enrollment. School of Rock Princeton is enrolling students for music programs in Lawrence Township.

The school offers performance-based music instruction for children and teens, with students learning songs, rehearsing with others and building toward live performance. Programs may include guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals, depending on age, interest and placement.

The opportunity may appeal to families looking for music instruction that combines lessons with band experience and performance practice. For more information go to schoolofrock.com/ princeton.

Community Connections

County Parks Volunteer Groups.

The Mercer County Park Commission’s Stewardship Department offers volunteer opportunities for companies, small businesses and organizations interested in working on parkland projects.

Volunteer activities may include native plantings, invasive species removal, litter cleanups, restoration site work and trail maintenance. The program is designed for groups that want to schedule a volunteer outing while helping maintain and improve Mercer County parks.

The opportunity may appeal to employers, civic groups, scouts, congregations and other organizations looking for outdoor service projects. Groups can contact the Stewardship Department to schedule a volunteer outing. For more information go to mercercounty.org.

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*** Boys & Girls Clubs Volunteer Roles. Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County offers one-time volunteer opportunities for people and groups interested in supporting youth programs.

Special-day volunteers may assist with one-time events at after-school programs, summer camp sites or off-site locations. The opportunities can be useful for companies, community groups, student organizations or individuals looking for a defined service project rather than a long-term commitment.

The organization also posts other volunteer opportunities connected to mentoring, youth programs, education, career readiness and club events. For more information go to bgcmercer.org. *** TASK Volunteers And Donation Drives. Trenton Area Soup Kitchen is seeking volunteers, community groups and businesses interested in supporting its hunger-relief work.

Groups can volunteer together during meal service, making the opportunity suitable for scouts, religious groups, athletic teams, workplaces and other organizations. Businesses can also explore corporate volunteering as a team-building and community-service opportunity.

TASK also invites people to organize donation drives, schedule tours or request speakers who can help groups understand hunger and the ways individuals, businesses and communities can respond. For more information go to trentonsoupkitchen.org. *** Anchor House Walk-Run Challenge. Anchor House’s Ride for Runaways Flex Walk/Run continues through Saturday, July 18.

The annual challenge invites participants to walk or run 100 miles over six weeks while raising money to support Anchor House in Trenton. The organization serves youth and young adults who are experiencing abuse, neglect, homelessness or aging out of the child welfare system.

Jackie Gaddy with Expensive Dude, a 30-year-old former racehorse rescued by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.

Jane Meggitt reports, page 10

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July 1, 2026

FILM

LITERATURE

DANCE DRAMA MUSIC

PREV I E W DAY-BY-DAY EVENTS, JULY 1 TO JULY 8

monthly open office hours. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Event Listings: E-mail events@princetoninfo.com

CASA Information Session, Mercer County Library: West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction.

Rescheduled from July 8. Information session on the role of CASA volunteers, who are assigned by a New Jersey Family Court judge to advocate for children in the foster care system. 6:30 p.m.

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.

Wellness Tai Chi, Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, groundsforsculpture.org. Tony Jackson leads a Yang-style Tai Chi class designed for low-impact movement, balance, breath and stress reduction. No experience needed. $15 members, $30 nonmembers.

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday July 15

Relaxation and Mindfulness, Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor, 609-443-1880, events.mcl. org. Parker Life presents techniques for relaxation, meditation and mindfulness.

Registration required. 2 p.m.

Live Music Open Band Jam, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, coopersnj. com. Open live band jam on the waterfront with Cooper’s house band and local guest musicians. Full backline, drums and amps are available. Musician sign-up starts at 7 p.m.; music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Reservations suggested for groups of two or more. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sip & Stretch, The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton. Yoga session paired with bites and drinks in Princeton.

5 p.m.

Chair Yoga, Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences, 307 High Street, Mount Holly, co.burlington.nj.us. Chair-based yoga class focused on flexibility, strength, stress reduction and pain management. 5:30 p.m.

W&W at Havana, Havana, Main Street, New Hope. live music event organized by the group Weepin’ & a Wailin. 7 p.m.

Riverside Live

On Stage Mercer Has Talent, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, kelsey.mccc.edu. Community variety show showcasing singers, dancers, musicians, comedians and other local performers.

Tickets are $10; house opens at 7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

The 39 Steps, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University, Princeton, princetonsummertheater.org. Patrick Barlow’s stage adaptation mixes Hitchcock suspense, spy-story intrigue and Monty Python-style comedy. Four actors play more than 150 characters in a fast-moving farce. 7:30 p.m.

Film Dig Site Cinema: Jurassic Park III, Trenton Free Public Library, 120 Academy Street, Trenton. Screening of the 2001 dinosaur adventure starring Sam Neill, William H. Macy and Téa Leoni.

10 a.m.

Wednesday Film Festival: Rocky, Mercer County Library: West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Screening of “Rocky” (1976), rated PG, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers and Burgess Meredith. 2 p.m.

Film Screening: Independence Day, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence. Screening of the 1996 science-fiction film about survivors who

The Cosmic Jerry Band performs the music of the Grateful Dead during a waterfront show on the Delaware at Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton, on Thursday, July 16, from 7 to 10 p.m. band together after alien spaceships attack Earth. 145 minutes. 5:30 p.m.

Sullivan’s Travels, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, princetongardentheatre.org.

Preston Sturges’ 1941 Hollywood satire follows a successful comedy director who sets out to learn about hardship so he can make a serious social-problem picture, only to discover the value of laughter. Part of the theater’s Hollywood Summer Nights series. 7 p.m.

Art Adult Craft: Spoon Vase, Mercer County Library: Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. Create a spoon vase using supplied materials. Space is limited; registration required. 10 a.m.

Community Toran, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, events.mcl.org. Make a colorful doorway banner with patterned fabric.

Registration requested. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Adult Outdoor Drawing Party, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike,

Lawrence. Try drawing new images each week. Clipboards, paper and colored pencils provided. noon NJ State Museum Free Summer Drop-in Programs, New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, nj.gov/state/museum. Free handson themed craft activities in the Imagination Studio. Different projects offered each day. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Literati Wednesday Morning Bookies: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, Mercer County Library: West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Discussion of Virgini a Evans’ “The Correspondent,” about a 73-yearold woman who makes sense of the world through letters. 10 a.m.

Poetry Writing Workshop, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence.

Poetry Circle Poets lead a supportive workshop for writers to share and critique their poems. Advanced registration appreciated. 2:30 p.m.

Local author to host book signing event on National Hot Dog Day,

Russ Ayres Hot Dogs, 680 Route 206, Bordentown, facebook.com/RussAyresHotDogs. Local author Mark Neurohr-Pierpaoli signs copies of “New Jersey Hot Dogs: A Frank History.” A free hot dog is included with the purchase of a book. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Page Turners Book Conversations, Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. Guided discussion of Rhys Bowen’s “Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure.” 6 p.m.

Food & Dining Chai Pani Time, Nimbu Indian Street Food, 3524 Brunswick Pike, Princeton.

Traditional midday break featuring tea and Indian street-food snacks, with a house beverage and small bite special.

3 p.m.

Good Causes Meet the Human Services Department, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Community members are invited to meet staff from Princeton Human Services Department and partner organizations during

History Conducting Oral History Workshop, Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. Workshop on preserving the stories and memories of friends, family and community members through oral history. 10 a.m.

Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton.

Exhibition examining Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Richard Stockton and John Witherspoon through historic objects, portraits and Revolutionary-era artwork. 10 a.m.

The Battle of Trenton in Miniature, Mercer County Library: Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. Titusville Tabletop Games brings the Battle of Trenton to life in miniature. 5 p.m.

Kids Stuff Hatch Day, Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. See the hatching process and suggest names for new baby chicks. 9 a.m.

Little Explorers Garden Play, Trenton Free Public Library, 120 Academy Street, Trenton. Enjoy bubbles and garden toys in the Children’s Room. 10 a.m.

Storytime, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence. Stories, songs and a craft for ages 2 to 5 with a caregiver. 10 a.m.

Wiggle, Giggle, READ,

Mercer

July 1, 2026

Pegasus Books defies the digital age

By Patrick Walsh

Even 20 years ago, it might have seemed ill-advised to start a company that prints books when people were already reading more and more on computer screens or handheld devices — if they read at all.

That trend didn’t deter Claiborne Hancock, the Richmond, Virginia, native who launched his publishing house, Pegasus Books, with 24 titles in fall 2006.

Today, as the press nears its 20th anniversar y, Hancock can proudly point to $7 million in total annual sales.

“As we celebrate our 20 years in business,” he reflects, “we feel privileged to be able to pursue books and authors we feel passionate about, even as reading takes significant hits from social media and other distractions from the tech space.”

Those technology-driven changes to publishing and their attendant effects on reading were just under way when Hancock, an English major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduated in 1997.

He moved to New York City to chase his publishing dream, first at Applause Books and then soon after ward at Carroll & Graf. He wrote jacket copy and press releases. He wielded a blue pencil as an editorial assistant. He wasn’t afraid to ask his superiors big-picture questions. Eventually, he began to acquire new titles on his own — successful titles t hat all turned a profit.

It was then that he thought of starting his own publishing house. Hancock named it Pegasus to honor his father, who stoked his son’s nascent literar y interest with bedtime readings about County Library: Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown.

Children ages 0 to 3 enjoy movement, music, a shared story and a take-home craft kit. 10 a.m.

Library Playgroup, Mercer County Library: Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown. Children ages 0 to 3 play with toys, puzzles and books after storytime or during drop-in play. 10:30 a.m.

Storytime STEAM: Dig Into Stories, Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. Dinosaur-themed storytime followed by a hands-on activity inspired by the book.

10:30 a.m.

Babytime, Mercer County Library: Robbinsville Branch, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road, Robbinsville. Children ages 6 to 24 months, accompanied by an adult, enjoy songs and rhymes. 11 a.m.

Family Storytime, Bucks County Library: Yardley-Makefield Branch, 1080 Edgewood Road, Yardley. Storytime with alphabet and rhyming instruction, singing, movement, stories and parachute play for children under age 5 with caregivers. 11 a.m.

My First Playgroup, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, 680 Radcliffe Street, Bristol. Drop-in play experience for babies and caregivers, with toys, floor activities and sensory play. 11 a.m.

Summer Crafts Drop-in Program, New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, nj.gov/state/museum. Free hands-on craft activities in the Imagination Studio as part of the museum’s summer drop-in series. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Lego Dinosaur Kit, Mercer County Library: Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing. Make a dinosaur with a petit block kit. For ages 8 and up with adult supervision. 3 p.m.

Dig & Bite, Mercer County Library: Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor. Learn about the garden

Pegasus Books founder Claiborne Hancock, a resident of Princeton, and Princeton University graduate Jessica Case, the publisher and director of publicity.

Greek gods and myths.

When Pegasus was just a foal, Hancock dreamed of bringing 50 books a year to market. Then his horse grew wings. With a satisfied nod of the head, he can now boast, “We publish about 90 new hardcovers each year.”

How that $7 million in annual sales shakes out presents a fascinating snapshot of the modern publishing market.

As Hancock breaks it down: “Roughly half of our sales occur on Amazon, which includes both print and e-books.

Another quarter of our print sales is done through Ingram, a major wholesaler to libraries and independent bookstores. And Barnes & Noble accounts

and make a tasty creation. Held outside, weather permitting, followed by a snack in the library. 3:30 p.m.

Ordinary People Storytime, Trenton Free Public Library, 120 Academy Street, Trenton. Storytime about ordinary people who do extraordinary things. 4 p.m.

Professor Al O’Saurus Puppet Show, Mercer County Library: Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Children ages 3 to 10 meet Professor Al O’Saurus, a paleontologist with a few prehistoric friends. 4 p.m.

Art with Amaris, Mercer County Library: Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing. Learn basic art techniques with Amaris. For ages 6 to 11 with adults. 5:30 p.m.

Summer Quest: Adventures in Art, Bucks County Library: Yardley-Makefield Branch, 1080 Edgewood Road, Yardley.

Weekly arts and crafts project for children. 5:30 p.m.

Kids Paint Like the Masters: Frida Kahlo, Mercer County Library: Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. Learn about Frida Kahlo and create a project inspired by her work. 6 p.m.

Reading Buddies, Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. Children practice reading with a trained teen volunteer. 6 p.m.

3D Dinosaur Puzzles, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence. Put together and paint a small wooden dinosaur. For ages 3 and up with a caregiver.

6:30 p.m.

For Teens Dungeons & Dragons: Teen Campaign, Mercer County Library: West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Session two of a monthlong campaign for ages 11 to 18.

Beginners and experienced players welcome. 1 p.m.

for the last 25% of our print sales.”

Hancock, who has called Princeton home since 2018, holds the title of managing director, but in the early days, he wore all the hats at once — publisher, editor in chief, publicist and director of marketing. With rapid growth came the need for help.

Jessica Case, who graduated from Princeton University with a degree in histor y and a minor in Russian, joined Pegasus Books as an editor in Januar y 2007. Today, she is publisher and director of publicity.

Hiring has continued apace, with five additional publicity and editorial staff members currently working at the

Tweens & Teens Make: Stitch a Dinosaur, Mercer County Library: Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor. Creative craft program for tweens and teens. This week: stitch your own dinosaur. 2 p.m.

Bloxels Club: Stars, Stripes, and Stories, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, 680 Radcliffe Street, Bristol.

Youth entering grades 4 to 8 create stories and turn them into video games using Bloxels. 3 p.m.

DIY Delight, Mercer County Library: Hollowbrook Branch, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing. Creative program using art supplies, colors and techniques. For ages 11 and up. Registration required. 4 p.m.

Bold and Brilliant: How to Speak Like a Leader, Mercer County Library: West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Public speaking program for students focused on confidence, hand gestures, vocal tone and enunciation. 4:30 p.m.

Schools Citizenship Exam Preparation, Mercer County Library: Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown. Free preparation class for those studying for the U.S. citizenship exam.

3:30 p.m.

Lectures 2026 Piano Pedagogy Summer Institute, Steinway & Sons Princeton, 3495 Route 1 South, Princeton. Two-day intensive piano pedagogy workshop.

8:50 a.m.

Getting Started with Google Drive, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Registration required.

Technology Center. 1 p.m.

Current Events Chat, Mercer County Library: Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Hickory Corner librarian Mary Astarita moderates a thoughtful discussion of current events.

U.S. 1

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company.

The key to the growth and success of Pegasus Books has always been savvy acquisitions, whether that has meant bringing new titles to market or acquiring rights for republication.

Hancock points to some recent highlights: “On the fiction side, we have Ir vine Welsh’s sequel to ‘Trainspotting,’ ‘Men in Love,’ and a great noir detective novel, ‘City on Fire’ by Simon Elegant, a taut murder myster y set in Hong Kong.”

Hancock is enthused about the nonfiction work “A Vast Horizon: Artists and Lovers, Freedom and War” by Anna Thomasson, which immerses the reader in a close-knit circle of Surrealist artists — Pablo Picasso; Man Ray and Adrienne Fidelin; Lee Miller and Roland Penrose; Dora Maar; Eileen Agar and Joseph Bard; and Paul and Nusch Éluard — over a tumultuous decade beginning in 1937, when they vacationed together in the south of France.

Despite fundamental changes in the publishing world, Hancock feels just as confident now as he did when he started Pegasus Books — maybe more so, given two decades of growing sales.

“As an indie press, we punch well above our weight in many ways and continue to find authors who become part of the critical dialogue.”

His faith in his company rests on his belief in the printed book itself.

“The book is a pretty resilient art form,” he says with a smiling nod, “and good books continue to be valued and enjoyed by so many different audiences.”

Pegasus Books, www.pegasusbooks. com. Instagram: @pegasus_books.

2:30 p.m.

Word Essentials, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence. Beginner-level class on tools in the Office ribbon that help create professional-looking documents. 6 p.m.

Science Lectures Planetarium Schedule Weekdays, New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, nj.gov/state/museum. Planetarium shows are offered on weekdays at the New Jersey State Museum. Check website for schedule. Check website for time.

working Mixer, Windsor Athletic Club, 99 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. New Jersey Chinese American Chamber of Commerce networking event with World Cup viewing. 2:30 p.m.

Library Board of Trustees Meeting, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees meeting. 6 p.m.

Shade Tree Committee Meeting, Bordentown. Public shade tree committee meeting. Check website for location and details. 6:30 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Board of Commissioners Meeting, County Administration/Courts Facility, 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly. Burlington County Board of Commissioners meeting. 7 p.m.

Jr. Ranger: Intro to Weather and Clouds, Pennington Park, 801 Creek Road, Delanco, co.burlington.nj.us. Program for ages 5 to 12 about using clouds as clues to weather, with a craft activity.

9:30 a.m.

DreamFest Night School, Much Better Studios, 125 South Warren Street, Trenton. DreamFest hosts a business night school focused on building a better business, connecting with partners and attracting investors. 7 p.m.

Wednesday Wonder Walk, Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. Easy walk on the trails of Roebling Park. 10 a.m.

Socials

Sports Welcome World Watch Party: Semifinals, George Street, New Brunswick. Free community World Cup semifinal watch party on George Street with multiple screens. 2 p.m.

West Virginia Black Bears at Trenton Thunder, Trenton Thunder Ballpark, 1 Thunder Road, Trenton, mlbdraftleague. com/trenton. Trenton Thunder host the West Virginia Black Bears. Check website for game time. Check website for time.

Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Weekly free meetup connecting artists, makers and other creatives in Central Jersey. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Thursday July 16 Live Music

Leighton Listens, Princeton. Public listening session in Princeton. Check website or local listings for details. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Band, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, coopersnj.com.

Grateful Dead tribute band performs a waterfront show. Reservations suggested for groups of two or more. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

NJCACC World Cup Summer Net-

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July 16

rence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, 609-883-8292, events.mcl.org. Screening of the documentary to open annual butterfly season and mark Park and Recreation Month.

Includes introduction to the butterfly display and Monarch Tagging Program. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Continued from preceding page

Jazz & Blues Summer Jazz Concert: Ambiance Duo with Dennis Ionata, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, 609-883-8292, events.mcl.org. Patriotic evening of jazz with Ambiance Duo, joined by trumpeter Dennis Ionata. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library; registration requested. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Art $5 After 5PM Fridays, Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, groundsforsculpture.org. Evening admission special offering $5 timed tickets from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fridays through Sept.

4. Timed ticket reservations required. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Stage

Dancing

The 39 Steps, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University, Princeton, princetonsummertheater.org. Patrick Barlow’s comic thriller sends Richard Hannay into a web of murder, spies and secrets after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman. 7:30 p.m.

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

Film

Food & Dining

Do the Right Thing, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, princetongardentheatre.org. Spike Lee’s landmark 1989 film follows rising tensions on one Brooklyn block on the hottest day of the summer. Part of the theater’s Reel Rebels series. 7 p.m.

Art The Art of Lisa Hendrickson Exhibit, Warden’s House Gallery, 150 High Street, Mount Holly, co.burlington.nj.us.

Exhibit of work by figurative artist Lisa Hendrickson. noon

Food & Dining Uncover Your Family Recipes, Trenton Free Public Library, Community Room A, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, trentonlib.org. Bring a family recipe to share as participants create community family recipe books. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wellness Outdoor Fitness: Wellness Walks, Historic Smithville Park and Smith’s Woods, 803 Smithville Road, Mount Holly, co.burlington.nj.us. Guided outdoor walk focused on movement, mindfulness and community. 9:30 a.m.

Adult Guided Meditation, Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown, 609-448-1474, events.mcl.org. Staff member Leena, a longtime practitioner of Rajyoga meditation, leads a guided meditation session.

Registration requested. noon

Three Stooges historian and author Jim Pauley hosts the Three Stooges Film Festival on Wednesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Princeton Garden Theatre, in Princeton.

History Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton.

Exhibition examining New Jersey’s five signers of the Declaration of Independence through historic objects and Revolutionary-era artwork. 10 a.m.

Exhibition Tour: Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution, Dohm Alley, Princeton. Free 15-minute guided tour of an outdoor exhibition exploring the role taverns played in 18thcentury Princeton. noon New Jersey and the American Revolution: 1775-1781, Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor, 609-443-1880, events.mcl.org. Historian Brian Armstrong discusses New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution. Registration required. 6 p.m.

Kids Stuff Baby Time, Mercer County Library: Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive,

G E T A TA S T E O F T H E

Organic Garden State

Whole Earth carries a wide selection of locally grown produce from the Garden State’s best organic growers.

During the summer, we get fresh deliveries of local organic produce several times a week.

Stop in today and sample the bounty of New Jersey’s organic farms!

East Windsor. Story time with age-appropriate books, songs and bubbles for ages 0 to 3 with a caregiver. 10 a.m.

Paint N Sip Jr., Mercer County Library: Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown. Children ages 2 to 5 explore painting techniques and materials while enjoying a juice box. 10 a.m.

L O C A L LY O W N E D • I N D E P E N D E N T

Tiny Tot Explorers, Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. Explore Abbott Marshlands trails for signs of nature. 10:30 a.m.

Socials

Outdoor Storytime, Mercer County Library: Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. Stories, action rhymes, songs and age-appropriate crafts. 10:30 a.m.

Cribbage & Coffee, Mercer County Library: Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. Cribbage boards, pegs and cards provided.

10 a.m.

Quiet Baby Time, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence. Songs, books and bubbles for children who may be overwhelmed by larger storytimes. 11 a.m.

Hooked on Yarn, Hollowbrook Branch, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing, 609-883-5914, events.mcl.org. Beginners and experienced crafters gather to work with yarn and share projects. For ages 16 and up. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Summer Story Time at the NJ State Museum, New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton. Drop-in story time and craft. 11 a.m.

Friday July 17

For Teens Capsule Class: Imaginative Drawing for Teens, Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery, 803 Smithville Road, Mount Holly, co.burlington.nj.us. Teen drawing class focused on imaginative art-making.

10:30 a.m.

Hogwarts Summer Course, Hollowbrook Branch, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing, 609-883-5914, events.mcl.org.

Summer wizarding program with Hogwarts house placement, charms, transfiguration, defense against dark magic and potions. For ages 11 and up. 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Schools ESL Class, Trenton Free Public Library, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, literacynj. org. Literacy New Jersey’s ESL class helps adults improve their English skills. 10 a.m.

Lectures iCloud, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Registration required. Technology Center. 2 p.m.

360 NASSAU ST. • PRINCETON WHOLEEARTHCENTER.COM

ture program at the General Greene Pavilion. 9:30 a.m.

Outdoor Action Wildlife Watchers, Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pa., pa.gov. Park naturalist leads a Thursday morning na-

Live Music So Percussion Presents Free Concert, Lee Hall at Lewis Center for the Arts, 120 Alexander Street, Princeton, arts. princeton.edu. So Percussion Summer Institute composers present new works performed by SoSI percussionists. 7 p.m.

El Ka Bong Band, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, coopersnj. com. El Ka Bong Band performs classic rock on the Mercer County waterfront.

Reservations suggested for groups of two or more. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

On Stage The 39 Steps, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University, Princeton, princetonsummertheater.org. Comedy blending Hitchcock, spy fiction and farce, with a small cast racing through more than 150 characters. 7:30 p.m.

The Little Mermaid, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, kelsey. mccc.edu. Yardley Players present the Disney musical about Ariel’s dream of the human world. 8 p.m.

Film The Extraordinary Caterpillar, Law-

Sunset Sips & Sounds, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Friday evening series in the winery and historic apple orchard with Terhune wines, light bites and live music from local artists. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For Families Frozen Party with an Olaf Meet and Greet, Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, 609-737-2610, events.mcl.org. Frozen-themed crafts and activities with an Olaf meet and greet. Costumes welcome.

For children ages 11 and under with caregivers. 10:30 a.m.

Lectures Open Lab/Northstar, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, 609-882-4050, events.mcl.org. Computer classroom open for projects and Northstar Digital Literacy practice with technology trainers. Registration required. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Socials Knitting, Crochet, Et cetera, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction, 609-882-3148, events.mcl.org. Bring yarn, hooks or needles to start or continue a project. All adults welcome. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday July 18 Live Music So Percussion Summer Institute, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Musicians and composers present collaborative and original percussion compositions developed during the So Percussion Summer Institute. noon Whiskey and Roses Country Night and Dance, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, coopersnj.com.

Country night on the waterfront with modern and classic country music and dancing. Reservations suggested for groups of two or more. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On Stage The 39 Steps, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University, Princeton, princetonsummertheater.org. Final weekend of Patrick Barlow’s comic thriller and theatrical sendup of the Hitchcock film and spy-novel genre. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The Little Mermaid, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200

July 1, 2026

Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, kelsey.mccc.edu.

Yardley Players continue their production of the Disney musical about Ariel, Prince Eric, Ursula and the world under the sea. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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Library exhibit celebrates Princeton shops

Urinetown, Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville, musicmountaintheatre.org.

Satirical musical comedy set in a drought-stricken city where citizens must pay to use public facilities controlled by a powerful corporation. Check website for time.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University, Princeton, princetonsummertheater. org. Children’s musical based on Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip. Check website for time.

Wellness Gemma’s Gratitude Yoga Class, Veblen House, Herrontown Woods, 452 Herrontown Road, Princeton, herrontownwoods.org. All-levels outdoor Vinyasa yoga class led by Gemma Farrell of Gratitude Yoga. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle and sunscreen.

11 a.m. to noon

For Teens Donut Dig, Trenton Free Public Library, Young Adult Lounge, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, trentonlib.org. Teen donut-decorating program with toppings, designs and sugary inspiration. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Outdoor Action Princeton Canal Walkers, Turning Basin Park, Alexander Road, Princeton. Three-mile walk on the towpath, weather permitting. Register by email for weather-related cancellation notices. 10 a.m.

Sunday July 19 Live Music Music in the Sky: When Towers Sing, Walls Can’t Contain the Music, 88 College Road West, Princeton, 609-258-7989. Michelle Lam of Washington, D.C., performs as part of the Princeton University Carillon’s summer concert series. Admission is free. 1 p.m.

Katarina String Quartet, Richardson Auditorium, 68 Nassau Street, Princeton, tickets.princeton.edu. Final concert of Princeton University’s free annual Summer Chamber Concerts series, featuring the 2025 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition grand prize winner. 4 p.m.

A painting of the Miya Table and Home on Palmer Square is part of the ‘Places We Shop – Princeton Series,’ an exhibit of paintings of local establishments by Barbara DiLorenzo on view at the library through September.

An exhibit featuring paintings of independent Princeton retailers is on view at Princeton Public Library through Sept.

30.

A meet-the-artist event is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the library’s main lobby. Artist Barbara DiLorenzo will paint the library’s lending desk while speaking with patrons.

“Places We Shop — Princeton Series” includes 14 acrylic paintings created on-site during single sessions. Each painting is accompanied by DiLorenzo’s description of her experience working at the location.

Businesses represented in the series include Princeton Record Exchange, jaZams, Whole Earth Center, Lillipies Bakery and Miya Table and Home.

The exhibit is displayed in the Technology Center and adjoining hallway on the second floor of the library at 65 Witherspoon St. DiLorenzo is also serving as the library’s maker-in-residence this summer and will lead a three-day “Diorama Design Studio” for children entering grades three through five.

Participants will imagine and construct detailed dioramas of their own shops during sessions July 27, 28 and 30

at 2 p.m. in the Myra and Van Williams Spark Lab. Registration is required.

The completed dioramas will be displayed during an art talk and open house with DiLorenzo on July 30 at 4 p.m. in the Community Room.

DiLorenzo will give a brief presentation about the exhibit, after which visitors may view the paintings and read the stories accompanying them. Refreshments will be provided by some of the businesses featured in the series.

The event is co-sponsored by Experience Princeton.

For information or to register for the workshop, visit princetonlibrary.org.

pre-selected wines. Check website for schedule and reservations. Check website for time.

245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, 609737-2610, events.mcl.org. Learn about a master artist and create a project inspired by the artist’s work.

For ages 5 and up. 2 p.m.

Art

Monday July 20

On Stage The Little Mermaid, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, kelsey.mccc.edu. Closing performance of the Yardley Players’ family musical based on the Disney animated film. 2 p.m.

Art

Urinetown, Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville, musicmountaintheatre.org. Musical satire about a community pushed to rebellion in a future where water shortages have made public toilets a pay-per-use monopoly. Check website for time.

Artifact Lab: Adult Summer Crafts, Trenton Free Public Library, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, trentonlib.org. Create a terrarium using artificial plants and other materials. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Film

Writers Room, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Writers receive constructive feedback during a twice-monthly group session.

Registration required. 10 a.m.

The Audience, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, princetongardentheatre. org. National Theatre Live screening of Peter Morgan’s play starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II. noon

Art Ellarslie Open 43: Juror’s Talk, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, ellarslie.org/events. Juror Adam Welch of the Arts Council of Princeton discusses the jurying process, selected artworks and the final exhibition. $5 artists and TMS members; $10 nonmembers. 10 a.m.

Freestyle Color Collage, Hunterdon County Complex, 314 Route 12, Flemington, courthousequilters.org. Advanced color-collage quilting class using fabric scraps to build abstract designs. No sewing machine required. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Food & Dining Vineyard Tour, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, hopewellvalleyvineyards. com. One-hour guided tour beginning in the vines and ending in the tasting room with a tasting of four

Literati

For Seniors Tech Help for Seniors, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Volunteers from AmeriCorps provide drop-in assistance with technology issues.

9 a.m.

Schools ELL Conversation Group, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction, 609-7990462, events.mcl.org. Informal English conversation group for English language learners. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday July 21

Food & Dining Dig In: Mocktails & Munchies, Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, 609-737-2610, events.mcl.org. Monthly mocktail and snack pairing program featuring a classic Paloma and esquites. Registration required. 2 p.m.

Good Causes Arm In Arm Mobile Food Pantry, Mercer County Library: Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, arminarm.org.

Food and personal care products available to those in need. No registration required. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kids Stuff Messy Art Club, Hollowbrook Branch, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing, 609-883-5914, events.mcl. org. Hands-on art program for children using paint, clay, glue and other materials. For ages 5 and up.

Registration required. 1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Kids Paint Like the Masters, Hopewell Branch,

Film The Age of Innocence, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Screening of the 1993 film adapted from Edith Wharton’s novel. Rated PG. 2 hours, 19 minutes. 3 p.m.

1776 Screening, Trenton Free Public Library, Community Room A, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, trentonlib.org. Screening of the film adaptation of “1776,” the Tony Award-winning musical about events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Rated G. 141 minutes. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Free Summer Movie Series: Zootopia 2, State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, 732-246-7469, stnj.org. Free community movie screening at the historic State Theatre New Jersey. 6:30 p.m.

Paper Lotus Blossom, Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor, 609-443-1880, events.mcl.org. Make a paper lotus blossom using colorful and printed paper. Registration required.

2:30 p.m.

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

Literati Catherine Project Weekly Book Discussion Series, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary. org. Weekly book discussion series examining fundamental texts in philosophy, political theory and literature. This summer’s focus is John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” 4 p.m.

Matthew Quick in Conversation with Amy Jo Burns, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary. org. The author discusses his new memoir, “Dad, Love Me,” with Amy Jo Burns, followed by a book signing. 6 p.m.

History George Washington’s Ten Crucial Days, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor, 609-448-1330, events.mcl.org. Historian David Price discusses the decisive 1776-77 winter campaign and how leadership, geography, weather and artillery helped secure Washington’s victory.

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Kids Stuff Bubble Show, Trenton Free Public Library, Children’s Room, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, trentonlib.org. Bubble party by NJ Bubble Parties. 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

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quested. noon

For Teens

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Hogwarts Summer Course, Hollowbrook Branch, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing, 609-8835914, events.mcl.org. Summer wizarding program with Hogwarts house placement, charms, transfiguration, defense against dark magic and potions. For ages 11 and up. 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Outdoor Storytime, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, 609924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Interactive event featuring books, songs, rhymes and movement for children 18 months and older with an adult. Bring a blanket. 10:30 a.m.

Socials

For Teens

Hooked on Yarn, Hollowbrook Branch, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing, 609-883-5914, events.mcl. org. Beginners and experienced crafters gather to work with yarn and share projects. For ages 16 and up. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Discovery Series: Amy Stevens, Trenton Free Public Library, Young Adult Lounge, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, trentonlib.org. Amy Stevens of the New Jersey State Museum speaks as part of the library’s summer discovery series for teens. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Bingo, Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East, West Windsor. Cash only, ages 18 and up. $5 entry includes one book; additional games available. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Lectures Ask the Mac Pros, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Members of the Princeton Macintosh Users Group help resolve questions about Apple devices. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday July 22

Live Music princetongardentheatre.org. Three Stooges historian and author Jim Pauley hosts a film festival focused on Hollywood filming locations used in selected shorts featuring Moe, Larry and Curly. 7 p.m.

Live Music Rock Revisited, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa., brtstage.org. Tribute to album-oriented rock of the 1970s and 1980s, featuring music associated with Toto, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Boston, Kansas, Heart, Cheap Trick and more. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Open Band Jam, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, coopersnj.com. Weekly live band jam on the waterfront with Cooper’s house band, guest local talent, PA, drums, amps and full backline available. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Film The Three Stooges Film Festival, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton,

Kids Stuff

Socials Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, artscouncilofprinceton.org. Free weekly gathering for Central Jersey artists and creative people. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Paws to Read, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Children ages 5 and up, with an adult caregiver, practice reading to Maisey, a certified therapy dog. 3 p.m.

Business Meetings New Jersey State Council on the Arts Annual Meeting and Reception, Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton. Meeting includes election of council officers, committee reports and the kickoff of the council’s 60th anniversary. Reception follows. Free. 10 a.m.

free

Thursday July 23 Live Music Be5D, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, coopersnj.com. Psychedelic rock project led

by Mark Diomede and featuring members of the Jersey Shore jam-band scene. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rock Revisited, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa., brtstage.org. Tribute to album-oriented rock of the 1970s and 1980s. 7:30 p.m.

On Stage True West, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University, Princeton, princetonsummertheater.org. Sam Shepard’s drama follows two estranged brothers who clash over a film script, family history and competing versions of the American West. 7:30 p.m.

Film Titanic, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, princetongardentheatre.org.

James Cameron’s 1997 epic romance and disaster film screens as part of the theater’s Hollywood Summer Nights series. 7 p.m.

Art

july 11

Afro jobim with nanny assis

AFROJOBIM.COM

july 18

Caleb Eckstein Boptet July 25

Sasha Berliner

NM-00048984

Friday July 24

Young witches and wizards ages 11 and up can attend the Hogwarts Summer Course on Thursday, July 23, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at the Hollowbrook Branch, in Ewing.

all shows at the PHS Performing arts center

Moths in Art + Culture: Presentation and Dance Performance, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, artscouncilofprinceton.org. Entomologist-led presentation exploring moths in art and culture, paired with a live silk-shawl dance performance. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dancing

SEVEN Band Dance Party, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, coopersnj.com. Philadelphia Top 40 cover band SEVEN performs current hits and party classics from the 1960s through the 1990s, with DJ John Rossi. 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Rock Revisited, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa., brtstage.org. Tribute to album-oriented rock of the 1970s and 1980s. 8 p.m.

On Stage True West, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University, Princeton, princetonsummertheater.org. Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer Prize finalist explores brotherhood, ambition and American identity. 7:30 p.m.

Art Field Study Adult Coloring, Trenton Free Public Library, Community Room A, 120 Academy Street, Trenton, trentonlib.org. Drop-in adult coloring session with a selection of prints in a variety of drawing styles. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

ACP BYOB: Wheel Ceramics, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, artscouncilofprinceton.org. Beginner-friendly evening of wheel throwing in a relaxed BYOB setting. $85. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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

Food & Dining Happy Hour on the River, South Riverwalk Park, John Fitch Way, Trenton. Happy hour gathering before the Trenton Thunder game, with live music, family activities, craft beer and food available for purchase. 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Art of Quick Pickling, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com.

Farm workshop focused on quick pickling, preserving seasonal produce and making refrigerator pickles. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Kids Stuff

Salsa-Bachata-Merengue Night, State Theatre Studio, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, stnj. org. Dance night with salsa, bachata and merengue music and a live performance by Tempo Alegre. Tickets start at $24 including fees. 8 p.m.

Tiny T. Rex Party with Jonathan Stutzman, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529, princetonlibrary.org. Author Jonathan Stutzman shares and signs favorite “Tiny T. Rex” books, followed by crafts and activities led by teen volunteers. 10 a.m.

Mental Health

For Families

Mental Health Awareness & Support Workshop, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, 609-883-8292, events.mcl. org. Dr. Tashanna Ellis leads a workshop on mental health diagnoses, coping tools, communication, self-advocacy, rights and resources. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Outdoor Children’s Concert with Tim Hoh, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction, 609-799-0462, events.mcl.org. Tim Hoh performs classic children’s songs with his own spin. For ages 0 to 5 with caregiver. 10:30 a.m.

Wellness

Knitting, Crochet, Et cetera, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction, 609-882-3148, events.mcl.org. Bring yarn, hooks or needles to start or continue a project. All adults welcome. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Adult Guided Meditation, Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown, 609-448-1474, events.mcl.org. Guided meditation session with staff member Leena. Registration re-

Socials

July 1, 2026

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Pete Tonti finds harmony in family, food and live music

By Tom Kelly

Pete Tonti is a musician. Growing up in the family restaurant business, he also supplies the soundtrack to the eatery on many nights. He is an old soul playing music from before his time with a modern touch and feel.

Please share how you began playing music in public.

When I was about 4 years old, my parents signed me up for piano lessons, mainly classical. I fell in love with the sound of the electric guitar after playing my dad’s rock records and CDs. It seemed to me as a kid like such a “cool” thing to do, and I wanted to learn how to play. So, when I was about 9 years old, I began taking guitar lessons, first from a private instructor but then, shortly afterward, at the now internationally renowned adolescent music program School of Rock. The Princeton location, which at the time was actually located in Hopewell, later moved to Hamilton.

After playing my first show at School of Rock, featuring the music of AC/DC, at 10 years old, I was instantly hooked and knew I wanted to pursue music and performing as a career. I remained at School of Rock right up until I graduated from high school and made quite a few friends along the way. I learned not only a lot of music and a lot about music, but also the dos and don’ts of live performance.

Separately, during my time at School of Rock, I formed my first band with some friends from middle school. It was called Crosswick, named after the village of Crosswicks in neighboring Chesterfield, New Jersey. Being the son of the owner of a local bar and restaurant, we had the blessing of using it as a home base for our first shows and would continue to sporadically play gigs there until we were in our early 20s.

We also played Six Flags Great Adventure; Rho Waterfront, formerly KatManDu and now Cooper’s Riverview, in Trenton; the Brighton Bar in Long Branch; and a number of other places. We also recorded a couple of EPs, a mix of original songs and covers, at Squirrel Ranch Studios in Hamilton, owned by one of my biggest musical mentors growing up, Tom Reock.

Those were the best of times, playing in your first band with your friends, going out and playing your first gigs, making your first recordings in a studio and chasing that “rock star dream.” Something about it really did feel magical. I still look back on those days fondly.

Which types of music do you like best to perform?

I really like to perform almost any kind of music. If something gets my heart, it gets my heart. I like to perform upbeat dance music that keeps people moving and singing along, but I also like to perform intimate and softer music sometimes as well. It is really all about finding a balance for me during a performance. It is like peaks and valleys: It starts off with a bang, keeps everyone moving, brings it down for a song or two, then brings it back up and ends on a high note.

Really, I like playing my original music, and it has been a few years since I have actively performed it with a band. I do miss it. The good news is that I am working on an outlet to bring some of that music back to the stage.

In early 2024, I released my debut solo album, titled “The Finest Freak,” on all streaming platforms and on CD. The album contains 10 of my original songs and features a couple of my old bandmates on drums and bass. It was produced by Tom Reock and me at Squirrel Ranch Studios in Hamilton, New Jersey.

Having played Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia music extensively in several bands over the past decade, their music has certainly become some of my favorite music to perform as well. When the focus on my own music began to shift away, the joy of playing the Dead’s music kept me occupied.

Please tell us about the family busi-

Pete Tonti Onstage with One Eyed Jack at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester in February. (Photo by Anthony DiMatteo.) ness and what your roles are there.

My family owns and operates Pete’s Steakhouse Tavern, located in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The restaurant has been in my father Richard’s family for 80 years now. It was founded in 1946 by my grandfather and namesake, Peter Tonti Sr. The original location was in the then-Italian neighborhood of Chambersburg in Trenton. After a successful run in the 1950s, Grandpop closed Pete’s Steakhouse and opened a fancier restaurant and nightclub that carried on into the 1970s in historic downtown Trenton. It was also operated with help from my father and uncle.

When that closed, Grandpop reopened Pete’s Steakhouse, and my father helped run things until Grandpop fell ill with brain cancer and died in 1982. From there, my father took over and subsequently opened several more locations in Ewing and Hamilton townships. He eventually purchased the former Monti’s Tavern in the White Horse neighborhood in 2008, which is our current location.

My first job in the restaurant was as a dishwasher at 6 or 7 years old during summer vacation. My father had a shirt printed for me that read “manager.” I recall scrubbing some grits off a plate one day and saying, discouraged, “I don’t feel like a manager.” LOL. Later, I would help set up in the mornings, help out in the office with paperwork and handle delivery unloading and stocking. In recent years, I have been doing a bit of cooking, although I am far from a grill master. Thankfully, the guys in my kitchen are excellent cooks and are great teachers.

We are a restaurant with a bar and a liquor store and feature live music every Friday night. Of course, because of that, every once in a while, I get to step out from the kitchen and play a show right here at home.

Over the years, my first band, Crosswick, has played numerous shows, but I have also sat in with many different bands and hosted open-mic nights, put-together groups and solo acoustic performances, as well as performed as a member of other bands. I cannot even begin to think of counting how many times I have played at our steakhouse.

How many different bands or projects are you currently working with? Is it hard to keep things separate working like this?

Currently, I am a member of three bands: One-Eyed Jack, an original psychedelic jam-rock band from northern New Jersey, has been active since the 1990s.

New Gypsy Cowboys is a sort of jam “supergroup” ensemble featuring members of RatDog, New Riders of the Purple Sage and Dark Star Orchestra in the

lineup, among other musicians. Formed in 2024, we play only sporadically, but it is a fun and eclectic group.

Karl’s Garcia Band, or KGB, is a heartfelt tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band, performing eclectic set lists from all eras, as well as recreating specific Garcia Band shows. It is currently performing at venues throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and beyond. Formed in 2024, the band added me in 2025 as lead guitarist and vocalist, and it is the project with which I am currently most active.

How did you come to enjoy and perform the music and vibes of classic rock bands?

Mom and Dad. Mainly, I mean, if it were not for them always playing music in the car on the way to and from school or on the way down the Shore, I do not know how, when or where I would have fallen in love with it.

More importantly, I am forever grateful for their support and for encouraging me to learn and to perform when they realized my passion for music. Thanks, Mom and Dad. What were some of the bands that influenced you when you were younger? Did you get to see them play live?

First it was Lynyrd Skynyrd, then it was AC/DC, then it was the Beatles. The Beatles really started it all for me. Having been born in 1997, I obviously did not get to see them live, although I have seen both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr live.

Two other bands that had almost as big an influence on me as a preteen and teenager were the Who and Pink Floyd. I saw Roger Waters’ “The Wall” live at Yankee Stadium as a teenager, which is, to this day, one of my favorite concerts I have ever attended. I also got to see both the Who and AC/DC in 2008 in Philadelphia at the former Wachovia Center.

Pete Townshend is one of my heroes, not least because our names are so similar, and not so much because of his guitar playing but more so because of his songwriting.

Some other musical heroes of mine, in no particular order, are Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys; David Bowie; Pat Metheny; Steve Kimock; King Crimson; and Genesis.

What fights or struggles do you have regarding playing live music and being in multiple bands?

Just finding out what exactly I want my sound to be, really. On one hand, I love being active across several different ensembles. They are all slightly different from each other. On the other hand, there are times when I am not sure exactly which path I want to take or what exactly I want to focus on.

I usually combat that by just trying to pour some of myself into my performances. Another struggle is scheduling conflicts and trying not to double-book myself whenever possible. With that also comes the inevitable tough choice that befalls me from time to time: Which gig should I take, and which gig should I not take?

What are the most difficult and the most fun things about playing in live bands?

The most difficult thing is getting everyone on the same page. That means not just being committed to a project but also being on the same page musically, in the performance setting and in a professional sense. It is always refreshing and rewarding when everyone in the group has done their homework, worked out their parts and comes to the rehearsal or the gig prepared and ready to do the job.

To me, the most fun thing about playing in live bands is getting to hang out and make music with the people you love.

Being able to just kick back and enjoy some laughs and a meal together when all is said and done is something special.

Why do you feel young people today are listening to and enjoying music that their parents grew up with instead of rebelling against it?

I think social media has a lot to do with it. It provides easy and instant access to old recordings and memorabilia from previous generations that otherwise may not have surfaced so easily for some.

Furthermore, pop stars of today, such as John Mayer, teaming up with members of the Grateful Dead to form Dead & Company have probably had a lot to do with garnering this generation’s interest in the music of their parents. In the previous couple of decades, video games such as “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” have become revolutionary in introducing music from the 1960s through the 1990s.

How do you feel about the live music scene in Mercer County and New Jersey?

Is live music appreciated enough? Are there enough venues and patrons?

I do feel like live music is appreciated in Mercer County and throughout New Jersey. The German American Society of Trenton, Mercer County Park and Cooper’s Riverview are a few examples, as is Snipes Farm in nearby Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

I will say that I do think the challenge for original bands to be heard is ever-persisting, as tribute bands seem to be crowd-pleasers and moneymakers. Luckily, there are many people out there who want to hear original music as well.

I believe original artists should aim to put their product out there for the love of doing it and not for competitive reasons. The music industry in general is extremely competitive, and I think that can sometimes hinder the artistic process.

What is on the horizon? What are you looking forward to?

Recently, I have been steadily getting back into songwriting. It has been some time since I have actively worked on new material, but I am starting to feel more creative again after spending a lot of time and energy on tribute bands.

I am hoping to go back into the studio sometime in 2027 and record another fulllength album or perhaps an acoustic EP. The plan is to eventually build up enough new original material that I am comfortable with and then bring in some other musicians to perform with.

I am also looking forward to exploring some other artistic avenues on the side, including painting and learning to cook better. *** Tonti regularly performs throughout the area. Check the following sites for information about his upcoming schedule: Facebook: facebook.com/pete.tonti.

Instagram: instagram.com/ petetontimusic.

Also search for “The Finest Freak” by Pete Tonti on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and more.

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U.S. 1

July 1, 2026

Area farmers market finds room to grow

By R.H. Schmitt Jr.

Central Jersey, particularly Mercer and Monmouth counties, remain home to a rich network of family farms that continue to shape the region’s landscape, economy and identity.

In communities where fields, farm stands and preserved open space sit only a short drive from suburban neighborhoods, residents have a direct line to the people who grow fresh vegetables, raise animals and produce many of the foods that reach local tables.

Farmers markets help strengthen that connection, bringing seasonal produce, baked goods, prepared foods and locally made products into community gathering places.

They allow shoppers to meet the growers and producers behind their purchases while supporting farms, small businesses and the agricultural traditions that have long defined the area.

That farm-to-fork connection strengthening with the expansion of the Allentown Farmers Market, which has moved to High Street under new leadership, giving it more room to grow and creating another destination for shoppers seeking fresh local food and a closer connection to area farmers.

Katrina Carroll of D’Amico Farms, a fourth-generation family vegetable farm on Provinceline Road in Upper Freehold Township, and Gabrielle “Gaby” Rosenblum of CentralGab, a marketing and event planning firm in the Hamilton-Robbinsville area, have joined forces to relaunch the market.

The farmers market, previously located at Pete Sensi Park on South Main Street by the Mill Pond, will now be held in the elementary school parking lot across from Allentown Presbyterian Church twice monthly throu ghout the summer season.

Early community response has been strong.

The original Allentown Farmers Market started just over three years ago. It was organized and run by the Swal family, the previous owners of Allentown’s ice cream shop, Swal Dairy Ice Cream, which is now Heavenly Havens Ice Cream on Main Street.

The Swals, a longtime Allentown merchant family, own the building that housed the old Allentown Hardware Store and is now Bruno’s Bicycle Shop and One Sweet Ride Candy Shop, among other buildings and businesses in town.

The market’s new location on High Street gives Carroll and Rosenblum an opportunity to spread the increased number and diversity of vendors over a larger area with room to grow, according to Rosenblum.

She said she saw strong potential in Allentown and Upper Freehold after the Hamilton Farmers Market venue ended. She said vendors she had worked with, local business connections and Allentown Councilman Dan Payson helped her see the borough as both a commercial opportunity and a safe, family-oriented event space.

“Being in Allentown is very exciting,” Rosenblum said.

She added that Allentown

Geovanelly Moreno, the owner of Homegrown Country Farm in Upper Freehold Township, displays potatoes, eggs, baked goods, honey and other locally produced items at the farmers market.

Presbyterian Church was inviting and cooperative, with church leaders primarily interested in collecting material goods and food for their charity work.

“I immediately thought, ‘this is the right community with an established small Farmers Market, a group of really great brick and mortar Main Street businesses, and a wonderfully cooperative and enthusiastic Mayor, governing body, and Borough Administrator,’” Rosenblum said.

Carroll was the key element, she said, in making the decision to fully buy in to the muchexpanded Allentown Farmers Market.

“Katrina and her family are the real deal,” Rosenblum said.

She said the D’Amico family are long-established Upper Freehold farmers with a multigenerational wholesale produce farm.

The family also had been the primary produce provider for the Swal family’s original farm market in Sensi Park.

Carroll and Rosenblum said the larger, twice-monthly, family-friendly farmers market had to be handled like an event that draws people from across the region into town, rather than simply a collection of vendors.

The hard-working pair said Allentown, known for many years as a sleepy, historical hamlet with more cozy coffee houses, antique stores and knick-knack shops dominating its downtown than entertainment venues, could benefit from a thriving, ever-changing summertime market.

Allentown already has several established businesses that help draw visitors downtown.

The Old Mill, owned and operated by Corky and Kris Danch and their family and seen by many as the heart of the borough, features The Moth Coffee House, Spider’s Cafe, a spot currently being developed for evening entertainment and private get-togethers, as well as unusual bespoke shops inside and out, like the designer clothing boutique Dawne, Sea Ginger and a yoga venue, The Movement.

That being said, the charming but quiet village is hardly known

as a getaway location. Town officials have said a thriving, diverse farmers market featuring locally grown fresh produce, food trucks, a wide variety of handcrafted goods and a safe play area for children might help people from throughout the region and well beyond see the town in a more inviting and interesting light.

Mayor Thomas Fritts said the market can help unite culture, commerce and conservation while boosting local tourism and bringing foot traffic to established small businesses and vendors.

“Perhaps most importantly, every purchase made here supports our ongoing mission to protect and encourage local farms and open spaces from overdevelopment, and industrial encroachment, sustaining our rich agricultural and historical heritage and keeping Allentown green for generations to come,” Fritts said.

A South Main Street resident who asked not to be named compared the potential impact to the Allentown Lions Club Beer Garden during the Allentown Fall Festival, when downtown businesses see more customers.

“For a few days in the fall we turn into a hopping little city,” the resident said. “People come here for one thing — like a parade or a craft beer garden — and then realize that Allentown is walkable. They wander around and explore the town.”

In previous years, when the market was held in the Sensi Park lot on South Main Street, some residents complained that the market was too small and the vendors too repetitive.

Still others wondered, sometimes quite vocally, if the market wasn’t just additional competition for downtown businesses already starved for foot traffic.

But town officials push back on that notion, saying many businesses, if their doors are open, would see a significant spike in curious, paying customers.

In fact, with the many new infrastructure improvements and beautification efforts, including the massive sidewalk and street repairs that have hap-

pened in recent years, the mayor and others argue that Allentown is more walkable, more inviting and more business-friendly than ever.

“I strongly suggest that people come out and see for themselves,” Fritts said. “Our Historic Village is on the rise in terms of walkability, significant community involvement, a great elected team, and Administrator, and a downtown full of oneof-a-kind small businesses and boutiques.”

Carroll, of D’Amico Farms, said what many people don’t understand is what it takes to bring fresh produce to market.

“My Uncle Alfonso has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,” she said. “He runs the D’Amico Farm. To get our best produce to a Farmers Market — even one just up the road, requires a full family effort.”

Carroll said the cold winter and chilly spring delayed planting for many area farmers. She said it takes two teams of workers, as well as time and resources, to keep the wholesale farm running while also bringing goods to market.

“We’re lucky enough now to have two teams working hard to keep our wholesale farm running while the other team of family members runs our D’Amico Fresh Produce stand at the market, twice a month,” Carroll said.

She said her work with the market is connected to both the family farm and the broader Allentown community.

D’Amico Farms is a fourth-generation family vegetable farm rooted in Allentown. For decades, the family has cared for 50 acres, growing fresh, seasonal vegetables and preserving the agricultural traditions that have shaped the farm.

Its on-site farm stand offers produce harvested at peak freshness throughout the growing season.

“What inspires me most is the chance to honor what my family has created and ensure it continues to thrive for years ahead,” Carroll said.

Rosenblum has built a career around content creation, event production, fitness, wellness experiences, pop-up events and community activations designed to support small businesses and bring people together.

Carroll and Rosenblum said the grand opening of the farmers market on May 16, featuring a ribbon cutting attended by the mayor and many Borough Council members, along with a large crowd of shoppers, was a smashing success.

The Allentown Farmers Market will be open twice a month through September from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Market dates are June 13 and 27, July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and 22, and Sept. 12 and 26.

For questions or to find out how to become a vendor, email Gaby and Katrina at allentownfarmersmarketnj@gmail.com.

Shoppers can visit D’Amico Farms on Facebook or in person at its farmstand at 632 Provinceline Road, Upper Freehold. The farmstand is open every day.

A full, updated list of vendors, which changes from one month to the next, is highlighted on CentralGab’s Facebook page.

The 2026 market is open on select Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Remaining dates are July 25; Aug. 8 and 22; and Sept. 12

Allentown councilwoman Erica DeKranes, Council President John Elder, Gabrielle Rosenblum-Zampella, Katrina Carroll and Mayor Thomas Fritts cut the ribbon at the relaunched Allentown Farmers Market.

July 1, 2026

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Fast Lane Institute for Advanced Study adds trustees The Institute for Advanced Study has appointed astrophysicist Victoria “Vicky” Kaspi, attorney Kevin L. MacMillan and economist and finance executive Peter Orszag to its Board of Trustees.

MacMillan’s appointment was unanimously approved by the board Oct. 25, 2025. Kaspi and Orszag were appointed with unanimous approval May 2.

The three trustees bring experience in science, law, finance, public policy and academia to the Princeton-based institute.

Kaspi is the Lorne Trottier Professor of Astrophysics and director of the Trottier Space Institute at McGill University, where she also holds the Distinguished James McGill Chair.

She uses radio and X-ray telescopes to study pulsars and magnetars. Before joining McGill in 1999, she taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and held a NASA Hubble postdoctoral fellowship.

Kaspi earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from McGill and a doctorate in astrophysics from Princeton University.

Her honors include the 2021 Shaw Prize, the 2022 Albert Einstein World Award of Science and the 2016 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering. She was the first woman to receive the Herzberg Medal.

She is a companion of the Order of Canada and a fellow of the Royal Society and and 26. Because the market does not operate every week, visitors should confirm the date before attending. For more information, visit allentownboronj.com or facebook.com/ AllentownNJFm. *** The region offers a wide variety of farmers markets, each with its own mix of produce, prepared foods, baked goods, specialty items and local vendors.

The following listings highlight markets throughout Central Jersey and nearby communities, along with their schedules and locations.

Bordentown City

Bordentown City Farmers Market, held outside the Carslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks St. The weekly market features local farmers, food producers, bakers, makers and other vendors, with the selection changing throughout the growing season.

The market is open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The 2026 season began June 7 and continues through the end of September, although the city describes the general market season as running from June through October. cityofbordentown.com/page/ farmers-market.

Hopewell Borough

Hopewell Farmers Market, 62 E. Broad St. The market brings local farms, food producers and specialty vendors to downtown Hopewell Borough.

Shoppers can find seasonal produce and other locally produced foods while supporting farms and independent businesses from the Hopewell Valley area.

The market is held Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The seasonal market generally operates from May through November, continuing until around Thanksgiving. facebook.com/ hopewellfarmersmarket.

New IAS board trustees Victoria “Vicky” Kaspi, attorney Kevin L. MacMillan and economist and finance executive Peter Orszag. the Royal Society of Canada.

Kaspi has also participated in several IAS seminars and conferences.

MacMillan is a partner at Allegaert Berger & Vogel, which he joined in 2003.

His practice includes contracts, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property and nonprofit law.

He began his legal career at Shearman & Sterling’s London office. MacMillan earned a bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University and a law degree from Columbia University.

Pennington Pennington Farmers Market, held at Rosedale Town & Country, 101 Route 31 North in Hopewell Township. The producer-focused market features locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods, beverages and other products from regional farms and independent vendors. Special market days may also include live music and community organizations.

The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., generally from late May through mid-November. The 2026 season opened May 23. Hours may occasionally be shortened because of extreme heat or other weather conditions. penningtonfarmersmarket.org.

Lawrence Township

Trenton Farmers Market, 960 Spruce St., Lawrence Township, near the Trenton and Ewing border. The market is home to produce farms, butchers, bakeries, restaurants and vendors selling prepared foods, specialty groceries, plants and locally made products. Its busiest produce season generally runs from May through October, while a winter market continues during the remainder of the year.

The market is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Individual merchants may maintain different days and hours, so visitors looking for a particular vendor should check before traveling. thetrentonfarmersmarket.com.

Princeton

Princeton Farmers Market, held at Hinds Plaza, 55 Witherspoon St., in downtown Princeton. The market brings together

He serves with the Princeton Mpala Advisory Council, the Peddie School and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

MacMillan’s mother, Trustee Emerita Nancy MacMillan, is the great-niece of founding IAS Trustee Herbert H. Maass.

Maass introduced institute founders Louis Bamberger and Caroline Bamberger Fuld to Abraham Flexner, who became its first director.

Orszag is CEO and chairman of Lazard.

His career has included senior roles in finance, government, public policy and academia.

local farms, food producers, bakers and prepared-food vendors offering seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, breads, beverages and other locally produced goods. Parking is available nearby in the Spring Street Garage.

The market is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 2026 regular season began May 7, with weekly markets planned through the fall. Winter markets may also be offered on selected dates. princetonfarmersmarket. com.

Trenton

Capital City Farmers Market. A seasonal outdoor market serving downtown Trenton. The market features New Jersey produce and products from local farmers, food businesses and community vendors. It is separate from the permanent Trenton Farmers Market on Spruce Street in Lawrence Township.

The city’s 2026 market opened May 7, with hours from 2 to 7 p.m. Market dates and locations may vary, so visitors should confirm the current schedule through the City of Trenton before attending. facebook. com/CityOfTrenton.

Capital City Farm. Capital City Farm is an urban farm and community agricultural site at 301 N. Clinton Ave. The farm grows fresh produce in Trenton and offers public hours during which residents can visit the site and learn about its agricultural and community programs. Availability of produce and on-site activities may vary according to the season.

Public hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. facebook.com/ CapitalCityFarmTNJ.

West Windsor

West Windsor Community Farmers Market, held in the Vaughn Drive parking lot at

Under President Barack Obama, Orszag served as director of the Office of Management and Budget, overseeing the federal budget during the financial crisis and helping develop federal health care reform.

He previously led the Congressional Budget Office, focusing on long-term fiscal policy and rising health care costs.

Orszag earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton University and a doctorate from the London School of Economics.

He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves on the board of the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

His father, mathematician and physicist Steven A. Orszag, was a member of the institute’s School of Natural Sciences in 1966-67 and became known for his work in computational fluid dynamics and turbulence theory.

Founded in 1930, the Institute for Advanced Study supports independent research in the sciences and humanities.

Its faculty and members have included Albert Einstein, Erwin Panofsky, John von Neumann, Emmy Noether, George Kennan and J. Robert Oppenheimer.

The institute welcomes more than 250 postdoctoral researchers and scholars each year. Its present and former faculty and members include 37 Nobel laureates, 46 Fields Medal recipients and 25 Abel Prize laureates, along with recipients of the Turing Award, the Pulitzer Prize in history and other major academic honors.

the Princeton Junction train station, with access near 877 Alexander Road. The market features a large rotating selection of regional farms, bakers, food producers and artisans. Weekly markets often include live music, nonprofit organizations and programs promoting access to locally produced food.

The outdoor market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the main season, beginning in May and continuing through the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Winter markets are generally held on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m.

to 1 p.m. westwindsorfarmersmarket.org.

Farmers Market at Mercer County Community College, held in the parking lot next to the University Center on the college’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Vendors sell produce, jams, cold-pressed juices, breads, pastries, teas, honey, pickles, artisan soaps and other products. Proceeds from donated Bent Spoon ice cream support the college’s food pantry.

The market is held every other Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., rain or shine. Remaining 2026 dates are July 22; Aug. 5 and 19; and Sept. 2 and 16. mccc.edu.

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Wendy D’Armiento Sales Associate Cell: 908-303-2616 Office: 609-924-1600 Wendy.DArmiento@FoxRoach.com

Residential and Commercial Sales and Leasing NJ and PA

A member of the franchise system of BHHS Affiliates, LLC.