Giving Students A Chance To See A Prize-Winning Play 8
Council Attendees Urge Support of Act . . . . . 9
Revisiting Henry James And Holden Caufield
Noted on July 16 13
Actor Playing Holmes Tries to Solve Murder in Ludwig Play 14
Aiming to Build on Sophomore Season for PU Men’s Hoops, Hicke Playing for US 3x3 Team at World
University Games 24
Emerging as a Key Feeder for Fairfield Women’s Lax, PDS Grad Caputo
Produced a Stellar Debut Campaign 27
The 101:Fund Awards Record Support to Recent PHS Graduates
The 101:Fund, which has been granting need-based support to Princeton High School graduates since 1970, will be providing $351,000 in scholarships in the coming academic year to 79 students. This is a record response in the face of the rising challenges of paying for a college education and a sharp increase in applications for support.
“This year is an enormous year for us, both with the number of kids we’re supporting and the amount of money,” said 101:Fund President Tony Klockenbrink.
“With the current political environment and the attack on universities, education is a great thing to support, and this community steps up consistently for education.”
He went on to note a significant uptick in the number of students in need and in the number and amount of contributions from the community, citing in particular the support of Princeton University, which has provided a grant of $100,000 in each of the past two years.
Klockenbrink also emphasized the impact of the Mackey Memorial Scholarship, which was added this year, as well as the Scott McVay Petrone Memorial Scholarship, and the Mary Ryan Timmons Memorial Scholarship.
“I’m very proud of what the organization has done, with bigger awards and a lot more students, and what the community has done,” he added. The 101:Fund scholarships are based entirely on financial need, and the organization’s goal is to support all qualified applicants.
At last month’s awards ceremony, The 101:Fund announced that they would be funding 38 new students and 41 returning students in the 2025-26 school year, with most award amounts increased from $3,000 to $4,000 and Mercer County Community College (MCCC) awards increased to $7,000 per year.
The 101:Fund has also expanded its mentoring program, with 23 scholarship winners and 17 mentors, who are volunteers from the Princeton community.
Mentors fill a variety of different roles, said Klockenbrink, who frequently exchanges text messages with his mentee.
“We act almost in the role of a parent,” he said, “being an advocate for them more than anything, helping to remove obstacles for them, especially for English
Continued on Page 10
Joint Effort Prepares for August 1 Kick-Off
“On Being More Human” is the theme of this year’s Joint Effort Princeton Witherspoon Jackson Community Safe Streets Program, opening on August 1 and featuring nine days of cultural, educational, historical, social, and athletic events.
“Joint Effort has been a game changer for more than 30 years in the town of Princeton,” said longtime Witherspoon-Jackson resident and former Princeton Councilman Lance Liverman. “The community fellowship with the recognition of the many sincere, loving folks has been icing on the cake. We are lucky and blessed to have Joint Effort again this year.”
Joint Effort founder and organizer John Bailey discussed his vision for the community celebration that includes participation by many local dignitaries, numerous awards for community service, a gospel festival, recognition of Princeton Black churches and Black families, book scholarships, art exhibits, hot topics discussions on DEI and Defend Historic Princeton (Racism, Elitism, or Fundamental Public Policy Disagreement?), along with a candidate forum, reminiscences of the past and visions of the future, a block party, a fish fry, basketball games, awards for the All-time Greatest Joint Effort Witherspoon-Jackson Basketball Players, a celebration of Paul Robeson, and more.
“Right now I’m asking all of us to be more human,” Bailey said. “We need to be not blacker, not whiter, but more human. Robeson was one of those people who, as a world citizen, wanted to encourage all of us to be more human. Don’t just be, be more.”
Bailey and Joint Effort are following that advice. “Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” he said. “Every year there’s more and more that has to happen. That’s how we approach it.”
Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, who will be a featured speaker and participant in several events over the nine days, reflected on the origins of the current program, which is a continuation and extension of the Joint Effort Community Sports program, which was founded in 1974 by Bailey, John Young, John Madden, Dennis Duggar, and Gilbert Fisher as “a vehicle to engage Princeton youth in the Witherspoon-Jackson community.”
“The program has historically celebrated,
NIOT Presents Seven Unity Awards For Equity and Community-Building Efforts
Six Princeton High School (PHS) students and one Princeton Middle School (PMS) student have been honored for promoting racial justice and working to make their schools and communities more inclusive.
At the 28th annual Unity Awards ceremony, hosted by Not In Our Town Princeton at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (UUCP) on May 15, each of the students received a gift certificate and a $150 cash award.
In his opening remarks, UUCP pastor Rev. Bill Neely congratulated the winners and their families, stating that the Unity
Awards “connects us in a diverse group of common values that lets us be inspired by the wonderful work of students who are actively building a better world. It should convince those of us whose student days are well behind us to work harder.”
The winners included PHS graduating seniors Brian Donis Davila, Zeynep Oral, William Ponder, Asma Qureshi, and Mia Serrano; rising senior Gabriela Maldonado; and PMS graduate (a rising PHS freshman) Jalilah Tennin.
“You’re all being honored this evening because of the work, the clubs, the activities, and the way each of you has widened
EARNING THEIR WINGS: Creating crafts was just one of the activities at last Saturday’s Summer Fairy Festival at The Watershed Institute. Young participants — many dressed as fairies and mythical creatures — built fairy cottages, played mermaid games, and challenged themselves in
(Photo by Jeffrey E. Tryon)
F IRST TH URSDAY S AT THE FARM
ADISTINCTIVE DINNERSERIES
Hosted at The Farminary, Princeton Theological Seminary’s 21-acre sustainable farm, this series features scholars, activists, and artists interviewed over dinner. They are paired with a world-class chef who prepares the meal with a portion of the produce coming straight from the farm. Each event is capped at 24 people for a more intimate experience.
No big presentations. Just big ideas and delicious food.
COMING UP
KC Choi
August 7, 2025 at 6pm
The Theology and Ethics of Food with Chef Dana Klitzberg
This conversation with Dr. KC Choi will examine how what we eat reflects deeper questions of identity, justice, and community. By bridging religious thought with everyday ethical choices, the discussion invites even non-religious listeners to consider how food shapes our moral lives and social responsibilities.
Kim Wagner
September 4, 2025 at 6pm
How Communities Respond to EcoTrauma with Chef Margo Carner
In this timely conversation, Rev. Dr. Kimberly Wagner will explore how individuals and communities can faithfully respond to the growing reality of ecological trauma. Together, they will reflect on the emotional and spiritual toll of environmental degradation, as well as the opportunities for healing through practices of lament, resilience, and hope.
Cranbury Design Center listens to your ideas and then uses color drawings of your space to help make your vision a reality. We assist with design decisions, cabinet, countertop and hardware selections, and finishing touches like backsplash tile and paint colors. Call us or visit us online to get started on your remodel. We look forward to meeting you!
HORA FELIZ: EL CAMINO DEL ALBARIÑO
Wednesday, July 23 | 4-6 PM | Tickets $49
When you join El Camino del Albariño, you will get to explore the many distinct expressions of Albariño – and surely find new favorites! The zesty acidity and natural salinity of these dry white wines from Spain and Portugal make for one of the most versatile food pairing choices in the world... come find out for yourself.
Best of all: by joining El Camino del Albariño, you make a difference. This year, Olé & Obrigado will donate 10% of all Albariño profits from June and July to Wine on Wheels—and an additional 10% to selected local charities across the country.
For tickets: mediterrarestaurant.com/events
29 Hulfish Street, Princeton
TOWN TOPICS
Princeton’s Weekly Community Newspaper Since 1946
DONALD C. STUART, 1946-1981 DAN D. COYLE, 1946-1973 Founding Editors/Publishers DONALD C. STUART III, Editor/Publisher, 1981-2001
LAURIE PELLICHERO Editor BILL ALDEN, Sports Editor
DONALD GILPIN, WENDY GREENBERG, ANNE LEVIN, STUART MITCHNER, NANCY PLUM, DONALD H. SANBORN III, JUSTIN FEIL, JEAN STRATTON, WILLIAM UHL Contributing Editors
FRANK WOJCIECHOWSKI, SARAH TEO, THOMAS HEDGES, FRANK D.
Princeton Community Housing Honors Longtime Residents
Princeton Community Housing marks two major milestones in 2025: the 50th anniversary of Princeton Community Village, the organization’s first affordable housing community developed and opened in 1975, and the 40th anniversary of Elm Court, which welcomed its first senior tenants in 1985. Residents at both communities recently celebrated with special gatherings. At Elm Court, on July 3, more than 50 neighbors hosted a combined anniversary party and Independence Day picnic, featuring classic cookout fare, music and a special cake. At Princeton Community Village, approximately 130 neighbors of all ages joined together on June 21 for a classic “block party” in front of the Ted Vial Clubhouse. Music was provided by DJ Darius, and grilled barbeque favorites came from Occasions by Cintron.
Longtime Trustee Sara Just served as an emcee for a short program, including recognition of several residents who moved to “the Village” five decades ago. These residents include Tonya Alexander, Sharon
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY: Several Princeton residents were honored for 50 years of residency at Princeton Community Village (PCV) as part of a celebratory picnic hosted in June. They moved into the community in 1975 when PCV was first opened. From left are residents Joan Hill, Dale Spruill-Redding, Betty Hightower, and Lottie Rhodes. (Photo by Felix Bird Photography LLC) Cruser, Arthur Diringer, Becky Disher, Betty Hightower, Joan Hill, Maylis Larsson, Dale Spruill-Redding, Lottie Rhodes, Uta Runyan, and Salomon Tucubal. Those in attendance received certificates. Among the speakers was Princeton Public School’s new superintendent Mike LaSusa who provided brief remarks and congratulations to the PCV community.
Both anniversary celebrations were made possible through sponsorships of PCH’s Birdhouse Project, a campaign featuring unique birdhouses created by local builders and designers to raise awareness about the need for more affordable housing. The birdhouses will be installed at locations throughout town in the coming weeks.
Topics In Brief A Community Bulletin
Nominations Sought: By Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber for the annual Legacy of Leadership awards. The deadline is August 1 to nominate in the categories of Business Leader, Community Leader, Entrepreneur, and Innovator. Princetonmercer.org.
Backpack and School Supply Drive : Donors are sought for the 16th annual drive, which distributes items to children from low-income families who attend Princeton Public Schools and are entering kindergarten through 8th grade. Drop off donations by August 7 at Princeton Human Services, 1 Monument Drive.
Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive : Through August 15, donate items at Community Park Pool for children in under-resourced communities in New Jersey. Most needed are bathing suits for children sizes 5 through young adult.
HomeFront Back to School Drive : Clothing, shoes, backpacks, school supplies, and gift cards for the children impacted by poverty can be dropped off by August 11 at HomeFront, 1880 Princeton Avenue, Lawrence Township. For more information, visit getinvolved@homefrontnj.org.
Leighton Listens : Councilman Leighton Newlin is available for one-on-one discussions about issues impacting Princeton on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
On July 9 under the trees on Nassau Street across from South Tulane Street. On July 16 at the inside area of the clock tower at Princeton Shopping Center. On July 23 at DeAngelo Italian Market, 35 Spring Street. On July 30 on the steps of Princeton University Chapel, enter on Nassau Street across from South Tulane Street.
Volunteers Needed : To serve on the New Jersey State Court District VII (Mercer County) Fee Arbitration Committee. Members, who are attorneys and non-attorneys and are appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to four-year terms, hear and decide fee disputes between clients and attorneys. Must be residents of Mercer County. Visit njcourts.gov for registration form.
More Volunteers : Needed for the Princeton Food Task Force to deliver recovered meals, package produce, or tend to community gardens. Visit princetonnj.gov/1476/ Princeton-Food-Task-Force to sign up.
Food Pantry: Arm in Arm’s mobile food pantry is at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike, on Monday afternoons from 2-4 p.m. Fresh produce, eggs, milk, frozen proteins, and quality baked goods as well as canned and boxed items and personal care items are available for those in need, and different social services agencies are on site. Mcl.org.
Italian Lessons : Register for fall classes at Dorothea’s House, the Italian American cultural center at 120 John Street. In person and remote classes are offered starting September 8 for 12 weeks. Visit dorotheashouse.org.
National Moth Week Events Explore “Butterflies of the Night”
Like butterflies and bees, moths play an essential role as pollinators. But unlike these and many other insects, they do their work at night.
It is the unique habits of
these species — there are said to be approximately 160,000 of them — that draw participants to National Moth Week events, two of which are happening locally in the coming week. Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) will hold an Evening Moth Survey at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve on July 21, and the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands will host a nighttime presentation and walk in the Mapleton Preserve on July 22.
TOPICS Of the Town
Both events will start with a talk, followed by an outdoor search, courtesy of light traps, allowing for photographing and identifying the wide variety of moth species that the lights attract.
According to the website nationalmothweek. org, which is based in East Brunswick, National Moth Week is a global citizen science project developed by Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission (FEBEC) in 2012 by naturalists Dave Moskowitz and Liti Haramaty.
“National Moth Week began as a grassroots effort and has grown into a global citizen science initiative,” it reads. “Each July, thousands of people across over 90 countries participate in moth monitoring events and submit observations to platforms dedicated to wildlife identification and biodiversity research. The initiative highlights the ecological importance and incredible diversity of moths while empowering individuals to contribute to global conservation science.”
This is the third year for the Evening Moth Survey at Mountain Lakes. The program begins with an educational presentation at Mountain Lakes House by Patrick Natale, assistant professor of biology at Mercer County Community College. A venture outside, led by the FOPOS stewardship team, follows. Using the light traps set along the woodland edge near the building, participants will
observe, photograph, and help identify the various species. Their findings will be logged as part of an ongoing citizen science effort to monitor local biodiversity and ecosystems health.
“Moths, in a way, are the butterflies of the night,” said Anna Corichi, director of natural resources and stewardship for FOPOS. “They are pollinators. They provide food to wildlife. And they are sensitive to changes in the environment. Surveying them is like an ecosystem health indicator.”
From the photographs taken at the event, an app is used to identify the various
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INTO THE LIGHT: At Mountain Lakes on July 21 and the Mapleton Preserve on July 22, the public can learn about moths and help identify species, courtesy of light traps that will lure them in for close-up looks.
SUMMER ON THE SQUARE SUMMER ON THE SQUARE
Pranayama
with Yoga Therapist Andrea Sacchetti
• Reverses skeletal and cellular aging
• Calms mental noise
• Improves digestion and circulation
• Reduces systemic inflammation
• Balances autonomic nervous system
• Promotes healing
• Prepares the mind for Meditation
National Moth Week
Continued from Preceding Page
species. “Then we log them all,” said Corichi. “We can see if we have invasive species present, or native species present. We gather that information over the years and expand it to some of our restoration sites.”
Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands is the sponsor of “Winged Wonders of the Night” at Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston. Ecologist and natural history photographer Blaine Rothauser will give an introductory talk and slide presentation before the group steps outside and turns on a 1,000-watt light to lure various species of moths, to be identified.
Participants are advised to bring a camera, bug spray, a flashlight or headlamp, and wear comfortable walking shoes. The event, which is from 8-10 p.m., is limited to 25 participants, who must be 12 or older. Visit fpnl. org/pre-register to sign up.
The FOPOS program begins at 8:30 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes preserve, accessible from 57 Mountain Avenue. Those taking part are asked to bring a flashlight, wear sturdy shoes for walking on trails, and dress for warm weather evening conditions. Pre-register at fopos.org/events-programs.
A forum for the expression of opinions about local and national issues.
Question of the Week:
“Who is your favorite magical character, and why?”
(Asked Saturday at the Summer Fairy Festival at The Watershed Institute) (Photos by Jeffrey E. Tryon)
“It’s a mix of people who come,” said Corichi. “One year, we had someone who knew a lot about moths. We also get a lot of families. It’s a fun night. People get excited about it.”
—Anne Levin
Conference for Women
Planned for October
Registration is open for the New Jersey Conference for Women, taking place Friday, October 3 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.
Keynote speakers are Adriana Carrig, founder and CEO of Little Words Project; and Melanie Curtis, world record-holding skydiver. Breakout sessions, exhibitors, and sponsors, as well as new technology, are also planned.
The event, which is held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., includes breakfast and lunch. It is billed as the largest one-day gathering of professional women in New Jersey. The presenting sponsor is New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group.
For more information, visit njconferenceforwomen.org.
Community Night Out
At Community Park Pool
Princeton’s annual Community Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 from 5-8 p.m. at Community Park Pool, 380 Witherspoon Street.
The public is invited for free admission to the pool, food (while supplies last), games, a dunk tank, a display of emergency vehicles, inflatable activities, and more. The family-oriented event is sponsored by the Municipality of Princeton, Princeton University, and the Princeton Police Department.
The pool will be open until 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit princeton recreation.com.
“Pegasus — I liked them from ‘My Little Pony.’” —Julia Li, Bridgwater
“I like fairies because they help to take care of nature.” — Alison Novobilsky, Hopewell
“A dragon, because there are so many different kinds. Some nice, some not so nice.”
—Davis Bush, Brick
your circle to be inclusive of everyone in your school community,” said PMS Principal Jason Burr. “Students can thrive when they feel welcome and safe at school.”
Unity Awards committee member Jeanne DeVoe added, “Not In Our Town loves hosting these awards. It is always so inspiring to see the amazing work of the students and the great programs they are working on.”
The ceremony was hosted by PHS students Sheena Cameron Ash, Ozzy Morales Gonzales, Lena Rose Hamilton, and Zoe Nuland, who were all winners of Unity Awards last year. Nuland and Ash presented original poetry readings, and Ash performed a rendition of the song “Stand Up” from the movie Harriet Davila, who was vice president of Latinos Unidos, helped to organize a number of assemblies and fundraisers, and also served in several other organizations, was praised for fostering “a sense of belonging and unity within the school, making PHS a more welcoming and supportive place for all.”
Oral, president and dance director of the Korean Club, choreographed dances for the Asian Fest and other venues, hosted a lunch on Fridays to help students feel at ease with each other, and presented an exhibit at Princeton Public Library on women of color.
Ponder was a social justice advocate for the Multicultural Student Achievement Network (MSAN), a MSAN liaison to the PHS Diversity Council, and a leader in organizing a Black history and heritage assembly. He described his high school experience that included disparagement, ostracism, and resistance, and he stated, “I wanted to help create an environment that is inclusive and beneficial to all, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”
Qureshi was president of the PHS Muslim Student Union for four years and helped organize events for Islamic Heritage Month, and was described as working “to build more inclusive communities by creating welcoming spaces that bring
disparate members of our community together.”
Serrano was a Latinos Unidas member who supported the organization in many different ways including baking her renowned tres leche cakes for fundraisers. She was described by the Latinos Unidas advisor as “a dedicated and essential member of our organization, consistently stepping into both leadership and support roles with enthusiasm and heart.”
Maldonado, a member of MSAN and head of PHS PULSE (Pride, Unity, Leadership, Sisterhood, and Esteem) created a Tiger Talk Episode for the PHS radio station on housing disparities, was an assistant in the English as a Second Language program, and helped organize this year’s voter registration drive and the Black history month assemblies in 2024 and 2025.
Tennin, a member of the Black Affinity Club, helped plan and lead the Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month assemblies at PMS and also visited Princeton elementary schools to read books on Black history to third grade students.
Tennin’s eighth grade civics teacher praised her “courage to get out of her comfort zone and courage to be an advocate for equality.”
Princeton Public Schools Interim S uperintendent Kathie Foster, drawing on a Biblical reference —“And a little child shall lead them”— in speaking to the award winners, explained, “This quote is part of a larger prophecy that a future leader will bring about peace through righteousness and justice. Some of us today are just plain tired. Others become so preoccupied with navigating our daily responsibilities that we lose sight of the bigger picture and convince ourselves that one person’s actions can’t possibly make a meaningful difference. Thank you for leading us to a brighter path of peace and justice.”
The Unity Awards event was organized by NIOT’s Unity Awards Committee members DeVoe, Sally Kornegay, Miki Mendelsohn, Shirley Satterfield, Wilma Solomon, Joyce TrotmanJordan, and Kathy Wilcox. —Donald Gilpin
Go Under the Delaware At Upcoming Lecture
Travis Pantaleo of Cooks Creek Watershed Association will deliver a virtual exploration of what lies beneath the Delaware River on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.
The talk is a journey through diverse aquatic habitats, revealing how water temperature shapes the fish communities that call these waters home, from the iconic striped bass and ancient, armor-plated sturgeon to the mysterious American eels that migrate thousands of miles.
Pantaleo will also talk about invasive newcomers like the snakehead and, explore the diversity of game fish found throughout the system, as well as the vital minnow populations that support these predatory species through complex food webs.
Pantaleo has explored and learned about fisheries in the Pacific Northwest, New England, and Italy. This has allowed him to volunteer with county conservation districts, nonprofits, and several chapters of Trout Unlimited. He is currently the Vice President of the Cooks Creek Watershed Association and media officer for the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley.
To register, visit shorturl. at/Q58ZR.
Five Phases of an IRA In Library Workshop Strategies to help shape a more secure financial future are the topic of a workshop at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System on Thursday, August 21 from 7-8 p.m.
Thrivent Financial advisor
Michael Kochersperger will walk participants through the five phases of an IRA. With over eight years of expertise in tax-efficient financial planning, he’ll share insights on managing IRA distributions, reducing tax burdens, and adapting to evolving tax legislation. Participants will learn the tools to make confident decisions that preserve wealth in retirement, and leave a lasting financial legacy.
Advanced registration is appreciated at mcl.org. The library is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township.
Summer Kids Club Returns to MarketFair
Princeton MarketFair’s annual “Summer Kids Club” is underway, with events every Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. through August 19.
Families are invited for free interactive activities in the center court, followed by free weekly Kids Story Time at Barnes & Noble starting at 11 a.m. Visit market -
fairshoppes.com for more information.
On July 22, Master Eric returns to lead balloon artistry. The July 29 topic is “Plasma, Physics, Fusion, Oh My!” led by scientists from Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. “Wildlife and the Preserve,” an interactive program presented by the Plainsboro Preserve, is August 5.
On August 12, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection presents “The Science of Water Hydrology.” The final program on August 19 is “Champions of the Environment,” focused on the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The program includes interactive games, handson activities, and creative storytelling.
The Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, has provided life-saving aid to our community for over 85 years, thanks to the selflessness, compassion and community spirit of all EMTs and Rescue Technicians.
PFARS is a nonprofit volunteer/ career squad that is NOT affiliated with any federal, state, local government, hospital, or medical agency. They depend on the generosity of Individual, Corporate, and Foundation contributions to make ends meet.
So, join us in supporting them !!!
JOIN THE CLUB: Kids and their families can beat the heat at the weekly programs held at Princeton MarketFair. Subjects range from creating artful balloons to learning how to reuse and recycle.
Michael Kochersperger NIOT
FOSTERING UNITY: Not in Our Town Princeton presented Princeton High School and Middle School students with Unity Awards for promoting racial justice and working to make their communities more inclusive. The Award winners, from left: (seated) Jalilah Tennin, Mia Serrano, Asma Qureshi, Gabriela Maldonado; (standing) William Ponder and Brian Donis Davila. Missing: Zeynep Oral. (Photo by
Longtime
A theater buff since his childhood in Princeton’s Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, Lance Liverman has been a fan of McCarter Theatre as far back as he can remember. This past spring, the former Princeton Councilman decided to introduce that experience of live theater to a group of Trenton students who might not have otherwise had the chance.
Liverman and his wife sponsored tickets to the play Primary Trust by Eboni Booth for 25 students from Trenton’s Foundation Academies charter school. His childhood friend Charles Phox, who happens to be McCarter’s sales concierge, arranged to accommodate several more. The students attended a matinee on May 15, followed by a discussion
An Introduction to Live Theater From
McCarter Fan
with Julie Felise Dubiner, McCarter’s dramaturg; and Donya K. Washington, BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle associate
“My wife and I decided to do something out of the or dinary and sponsor this trip to the theater,” Liverman said. “We go all the time. We wanted them to see some thing they wouldn’t normally get to see. I purchased 25 tickets, and almost 40 kids wanted to come. So they came up with the rest, which
tells the story of a middle-aged man who is adrift after being laid off from his job in a bookstore. With the help of friends, he is able to con front his traumatic past and rebuild a life through friend
The young scholars appre ciated the chance to ask Du biner and Washington ques tions about the production and its themes.
“It was about serious things, but had a hopeful ending,” said senior Jay’Lah Oliver. “It reminds us that life goes on. Change is in evitable but maybe it’s going to be okay.”
Founded in 2007, Foun dation Academies educates more than 1,100 students from kindergarten through grade 12. The school boasts a 100 percent college ac ceptance rate and ranks in the 85th percentile among all New Jersey schools. The school’s CEO Sheria McRae was happy the students had the opportunity to attend
“As a former English teacher, I value good story
telling,” she said. “Live theater not only tells a story but also engages the audience in ways that screens cannot.”
In addition to tickets, Liverman provided a spread from McCaffrey’s Market for the students, who ate the lunch in a private room at the theater before viewing the performance.
Credit Union of NJ Awards $75,000 Grant
Capital Health’s Trenton Neighborhood Initiative (TNI) has received a $75,000 grant from the Credit Union of New Jersey to expand programs and services that promote digital equity.
to create stronger linkages between individuals, services, and opportunities throughout the City of Trenton.
“They were so appreciative of all of it,” he said. “They really enjoyed the play, because it was thought-provoking. It worked out great, and I would do it again.”
Liverman said he first learned of Foundation Academies in its earliest days from a friend, who asked him if he wanted to help out.
“I said I didn’t have the time,” he recalled. “But since then, I’ve gotten involved. And there is nothing like it. Their programming is one-on-one with each child, and the mentorship they have is amazing.”
—Anne Levin
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“We are incredibly grateful for the Credit Union of New Jersey’s continued commitment to advancing community well-being,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “Their support of our Trenton Neighborhood Initiative, especially the Connect pillar, will help us bring people and possibilities closer together in meaningful, lasting ways. TNI is all about partnerships, and its success is made possible through investments like these.”
Launched in 2022, the Trenton Neighborhood Initiative is built on four core pillars: Live, Work, Grow, and Connect. Each pillar focuses on improving quality of life and economic opportunity for Trenton residents in specific areas of need. The grant from the Credit Union of New Jersey, distributed over three years, will directly support TNI’s Connect pillar, which is dedicated to enhancing access to web-based resources and fostering social cohesion among residents by investing in digital literacy and education platforms. The funding will also help bolster efforts
“At Credit Union of New Jersey, we believe that financial wellness and community wellness go hand in hand. That’s why we are proud to support Capital Health’s Trenton Neighborhood Initiative with a $75,000 commitment over the next three years,” said Andrew Jaeger, president and CEO of the Credit Union of New Jersey. “In particular, we are excited to invest in the ‘Connect’ pillar, which aims to close the digital divide for seniors in Trenton. Access to technology is no longer a luxury — it’s essential for managing finances, accessing health care, and staying connected with loved ones. By helping to expand digital access and literacy, we are empowering our neighbors to live with greater independence, dignity, and opportunity.”
“Many of our members at Credit Union of New Jersey live in the North Trenton area. Our mission is to ensure that they have the knowledge and ability to be in control of their financial lives,” said Katie M. Sapio, director of Business Development for the Credit Union of New Jersey. “It was only natural for our credit union to contribute to Capital Health and the Trenton Neighborhood Initiative so that the steps are taken to make a healthy Trenton.”
ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE: Students from Trenton’s Foundation Academies were treated to a performance of the play “Primary Trust” at McCarter Theatre on May 15. Princeton resident Lance Liverman, standing third from right, sponsored the graduating seniors.
Crowd At Council Meeting Urges
Support of Immigrant Trust Act
Princeton Council’s meeting on Monday evening, July 14 was dominated by repeated requests for Council to create and pass a resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act, (ITA) which is currently pending at the state level.
Standing in line for their turn at the microphone during the public comment period, more than 50 members of the community urged the governing body to follow the example of 13 other municipalities in New Jersey including Trenton, Flemington, Paterson, and Morristown, by passing such a resolution.
Some of the advocates had already expressed their concerns at the June 23 meeting of Council. At that time, some Council members and Mayor Mark Freda responded that they support the Immigrant Trust Directive, which has been in place since 2018 and ensures that victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crimes to local police without fear of deportation. Members of the governing body also said that creating the resolution might bring unwanted attention to the town, making it more of a target for ICE.
But speakers said the resolution is necessary.
“Our goal at Resistencia [en Accion] is to advocate for the safety and dignity of immigrant families in Princeton, many of whom already experience fear, exclusion, and invisibility,” said a member of that advocacy group. “That fear doesn’t come
from us. It comes from a national climate that has only gotten more hostile, and from the lack of clear, local response to offer protection or calm those fears.”
Some of the speakers represented advocacy groups such as Resistencia en Accion and the Trenton branch of Democratic Socialists of America. Others were local residents, some of whom choked back tears as they voiced their fears. Graduate students and faculty members from Princeton University expressed support for the ITA. Several of them read testimony from immigrant students afraid to appear. Former New York Times foreign correspondent Chris Hedges, a trauma surgeon, and a bookseller from Labyrinth Books also spoke.
After all of those present and on Zoom had expressed their opinions, Councilwoman Leticia Fraga said she is in favor of the resolution. She addressed the public in Spanish and then in English, assuring them that the town’s CARES (Committee on Affordable Housing, Racial, Economic, Social Equity and Services) committee has been considering the resolution.
“We want to make sure we are very thoughtful and deliberate on the wording of the resolution so whatever we do does not lead to unintended consequences,” she said, adding that the town has a commitment “to continue fostering trust within our community.”
—Anne Levin
Novo Nordisk Continues
To Help Share my Meals
Share My Meals marks the three-year anniversary of its partnership with Novo Nordisk, a leading global pharma company deeply committed to sustainability and community wellbeing. In partnership with Novo Nordisk, Share My Meals has delivered more than 17,000 meals and recovered over 25,000 pounds of food from ending up in landfills.
Novo Nordisk was among the first companies to support Share My Meals’ mission of fighting food insecurity and food waste in New Jersey. The cafeteria at Novo Nordisk, run by Sodexo, serves a wide variety of food options for their employees. At the end of food service, Sodexo kitchen staff portion the surplus meals into reusable trays provided by Share My Meals. Volunteers and drivers from Share My Meals collect the meals from Novo Nordisk and deliver it to families, as well as community partners such as Anchor House and the
Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County.
“Novo Nordisk is dedicated to not just treating chronic diseases but to preventing the diseases in the first place. That’s why we are thrilled to work with Share My Meals to build healthier communities,” said Jennifer Duck, vice president, public affairs at Novo Nordisk. “By addressing food waste and food insecurity, we are proud of the impact we’ve made over the past three years with Share My Meals, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in pursuit of our shared goals.”
In March 2023, Novo Nordisk and Share My Meals launched the nonprofit’s first Corporate Volunteer Program, mobilizing employee volunteers who have contributed over 80 hours to help package, deliver, and support the logistics of meal distribution. Then, in July 2024, Novo Nordisk deepened its commitment by becoming a founding member of the Meal Recovery Coalition
(MRC), an initiative led by Share My Meals to expand meal recovery efforts across New Jersey and complement existing emergency food systems with a new nutritious source of food.
“Novo Nordisk has been a true champion of our mission since day one,” said Hélène Lanctuit, CEO of Share My Meals. “Their support has helped us scale our operations, innovate through our first corporate volunteer program, and now lead the way in shaping statewide meal recovery. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with a partner who shares our vision for a more sustainable and food-secure future.”
Master Gardeners Hold “Evening in the Garden” The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County will hold the annual Evening in the Garden, Wednesday, July 16, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road, Hopewell Township, on the grounds of Mercer County Stables.
Attendees can stroll through the six educational gardens, all of them in full bloom. Rutgers Master Gardeners will be on hand to chat about plants and planting, butterflies, insects, soil, and compost.
Three brief demonstrations will be held: “Creating an Annual Garden,” “Planning and Planting Containers,” and “Plant This Not That.” Mercer County Horticulturist Justine Grey will answer questions about plants and the Rutgers Master Gardener Program.
“Whether you’re an expert or a novice, this event is a great opportunity to pick up some valuable skills and enjoy the company of fellow gardeners,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.
The event will be held rain or shine. Registration is not required. For home gardening, plant, turf or insect questions, visit the helpline office at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, Monday through Friday (609) 989-6853, or email at AsktheMGs@ mercercounty.org.
FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY: Employees of Novo Nordisk have been helping out at Share My Meals for the past three years.
Some kids need very little help. Others need a lot more help.”
Transportation, he added, is a challenge for many students. Just getting to MCCC from Princeton can be difficult without a car.
At last month’s awards ceremony Benjamin Brobbey, 2019 PHS graduate who received 101:Fund support as he earned his degree in electrical engineering at Drexel University before graduating in 2024, spoke about the impact of the award on his journey in education.
“The award you are receiving tonight is not just of monetary value,” he said. “Rather it is a resource that allows you a network of people you can rely on for advice and support. The 101:Fund scholarship contributed to allow me the peace of mind and the ability to pursue my passions to be who I am today.”
Other recent 101 award recipients echoed Brobbey’s sentiments. “Attending university would not have been possible without the help of this organization,” said one student approaching their senior year in college.
“I want to thank the 101:Fund for its patience and continued support,” said another student currently
in college. “Your belief in my potential means a lot to me. I am committed to maintaining a strong academic performance moving forward.”
The awards event, held in the PHS Black Box Theatre, was attended by members of the all-volunteer 101 Board, PHS staff, local officials, and other supporters.
Klockenbrink reflected on the accomplishments of the Fund and the value of the scholarships. “I think it is about leveling the playing field for students to help remove financial burdens so that they can succeed in college,” he said.
He continued, “I know that my two children were very fortunate to have the support of two parents going from PHS on to college, and if I can help other kids in that fashion I’m very motivated, very excited to do that. There’s a ton of financial need and this is critical, whether they’re going to a two-year or four-year school.”
He added that he expects to see the challenges and the accomplishments of 101 grow in the coming years. “I think the need is going to increase for sure,” he said. “We will push harder, and I’m confident that the community will continue to step up in bigger and bigger ways.”
—Donald Gilpin
Nash Park Celebrates John and Alicia Nash
On June 13 – what would have been the 97th birthday of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. – a bronze scroll plaque was dedicated to Nash and his wife, physicist Alicia Nash, in the pocket park that bears their name.
This summer marks the 10-year anniversary of Nash Park, at the intersection of Route 571 and Alexander Road in West Windsor.
“The plaque, designed and fabricated by the gifted sculptor E. Gyuri Hollósy, whose studio is just down the road at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, is more than a piece of art. It is a story told in bronze — a quiet yet powerful testament to brilliance, perseverance, love, and community,” said Alison Miller, president, Friends of West Windsor Open Space (FOWWOS), the non-profit organization that oversaw the project.
Hollósy, who has taught at Tulane University, Washington University in St. Louis, and at the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute of Sculpture in Mercerville, has completed major sculptural commissions throughout the world.
In the plaque, John and Alicia Nash’s heads are encircled by their names. John’s signature scarf flows from his neck, and in his left hand, he holds notes. Alicia’s unwavering support is apparent. Beneath their faces is carved the words:
“Nobel Prize Laureate – 1994” and “Abel Prize Laureate – 2015.” And just below: “West Windsor Neighbors.”
“These final words are especially meaningful to us,” said Miller. “For while the world knew John Nash as a mathematical luminary — and Alicia as a powerful advocate, caregiver, and intellect in her own right — we knew them as neighbors; as part of the fabric of our diverse and inclusive township; as fellow walkers of these paths, visitors to this park, and members of our community.”
The Nash family was often seen at restaurants in West Windsor and Plainsboro, including Brothers Pizza, Subway, Wayback Burgers, PJ’s Pancake House, Princetonian Diner, First Wok, and Crown of India.
Encircling the lower half of the sculpture are olive branches — a symbol both of peace and honor, and in this case, a tribute to the awards and recognition bestowed upon the Nashes.
John Nash, who made fundamental contributions to game theory, real algebraic geometry, differential geometry, and partial differential equations, earned his doctorate at Princeton University. He served as a consultant for the RAND Corporation, an instructor at M.I.T., and a senior research mathematician at Princeton University. In the 1970s, Nash became known as “The Phantom of Fine Hall” (Princeton’s mathematics center), a shadowy figure who would scribble arcane equations on blackboards in the middle of the night.
John Nash was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and he and Alicia are considered heroes because they would lend their stature and names to the cause of breaking down stereotypes and humanizing people with mental illness.
Miller thanked “the Township of West Windsor, especially Mayor Hemant Marathe, for this partnership; former Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, who envisioned and financed this effort; former West Windsor Landscape Architect Dan Dobromilsky; and Township Engineer Francis Guzik for coordinating this effort.”
Former Mayor Hsueh, who always aspired to be an artist, selected Hollósy for the project in 2017. After a career as an environmental engineer, four terms as West Windsor Mayor, and a stint as director of Trenton’s Department of Water and Sewer, Hsueh hoped to finally fulfill his artistic dream by apprenticing under Hollósy. That dream was cut short when Hsueh suffered a debilitating stroke. However, he was able to make the gift
that enabled the plaque to honor the Nashes.
Hollósy began his research by watching A Beautiful Mind , the 2001 film directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe as John Nash and Jennifer Connelly as Alicia Nash. Several scenes were filmed on the Princeton University campus.
John and Alicia Nash lost their lives in a car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike on May 23, 2015, while returning from Norway where John accepted the Abel Prize for mathematics for his work on nonlinear partial differential equations. Their son, John Nash, lives in his family’s home, just down the street from the park named for his parents. He attended the dedication on June 13, announcing that it would, indeed, have been his father’s birthday.
“The Nashes were beloved neighbors in the Berrien City community of West Windsor,” says Paul Ligeti, president of the West Windsor Historical Society. “They were active in advocating for the community when proposals were considered for replacing the Alexander Road bridge over the Northeast Corridor. The Nashes represented two of the three key words of West Windsor’s motto, emblazoned on the Township Seal: “Research” and “Knowledge,” which West Windsor is known for today, especially in its school system.”
“They lived together… in a deeply moving, heartbreaking way,” said Hollósy, and “they departed this world together. That truth sits heavily, but also with a kind of grace. It reminds us that love, imagination, and endurance are not separate forces. They are the very threads of a meaningful life.”
HONORING FAMED RESIDENTS: West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe, left, and sculptor E. Gyuri Hollósy at the unveiling of the new plaque in West Windsor’s Nash Park.
Joint Effort
continued from page one recognized, honored, and acknowledged the African American community in the Witherspoon-Jackson section of the town,” said Freda. “Along with youth basketball clinics and games, in recent years it also offers programs open to the entire community for discussions related to social issues, candidate forums, and other topics.”
Each day of Joint Effort highlights an important Black personality in Princeton and the Witherspoon-Jackson community: Kathleen Edwards, Eric and Minnie Craig, William Brooks, Barbara Hill, Pat and Becky Patterson, Logan Pemberton, Lloyd and Barbara Banks, and Jim Carter.
“Each day of Joint Effort is named for ordinary people who gave extraordinary effort in their own unique way to make the WitherspoonJackson neighborhood the nurturing village it remains today,” said Princeton Councilman and longtime Witherspoon-Jackson resident Leighton Newlin.
Major sponsors of 2025 Joint Effort include Studio Hillier, Palmer Square, McCaffrey’s Food Markets, Capital Health, First Bank, NJM Insurance Group, and the Arts Council of Princeton.
Bailey commented on the value of remembering and celebrating the history of the community. “The difference between humans and animals is the ability to reflect, to understand where we’ve been through hindsight, where we are now through insight, and where we can go through foresight,” he said. “The whole program is a resonating call to former Black Princetonians to come home for a few days and engage and remember, an opportunity to reflect on the positive things that helped you grow up and shape your lives, also having some of those kids who have received book scholarships and gone off to college tell us what they’ve learned, what roles they can play, and how we can help you find your voice.”
Bailey noted that in addition to everyday life issues, the Joint Effort programming will be confronting a number of controversial issues. “DEI: The National Pushback and the Impact on Local Communities” is on the agenda for the evening of August 4 at the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, with New Jersey African American Chamber of Commerce CEO John Harmon and the Rev. Charles Boyer, founder and executive director of Salvation and Social Justice, leading a distinguished panel of participants.
“The country is creating angst and venom, along with chaos, confusion, and contradiction,” said Bailey. “Trump is trying to take us backward, back to Jim Crow. We’ll have a conversation about that, what it looks like and what we can do about it, in New Jersey and also in Princeton. This is an opportunity to talk about that with a great panel of folks, who will engage with the discussion.”
An even hotter topic in Princeton recently, “Defend Historic Princeton” advocates’ resistance to a
proposed housing project on property formerly owned by Princeton Theological Seminary, will be in the spotlight on Saturday morning, August 9, as part of a “What’s Going On in Princeton” forum at the First Baptist Church of Princeton.
“There’s disagreement here,” said Bailey. “So let’s have a conversation about it. Let’s not hide. Let’s be up front and deal with it. Is it racism? Is it elitism? Or is it a policy disagreement? You have to have those conversations with people who are willing to talk about it. Let’s have a conversation that is in the best interests of the town rather than trying to stir up historic ghosts of segregation and taxation and revaluation and all those things that have had an impact on folks in Princeton.”
event as “one of the most important and affirming celebrations of African American life, legacy, and leadership in our community,” Newlin noted, “The week will feature honest discussions on public safety, education, housing, politics, candidates, and the cultural DNA of Princeton’s Black community. It’s about keeping it real. And about doing the hard work shoulder to shoulder, with clarity, conviction, and community at the center.”
An opening reception, including a community recognition and meet-and-greet with the new Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Michael LaSusa, will launch the festivities at Studio Hillier on Witherspoon Street from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 1.
FOSTERING UNITY: Not in Our Town Princeton presented Princeton High School and Middle School students with Unity Awards for promoting racial justice and working to make their communities more inclusive. The Award winners, from left: (seated) Jalilah Tennin, Mia Serrano, Asma Qureshi, Gabriela Maldonado; (standing) William Ponder and Brian Donis Davila. Missing: Zeynep Oral. (Photo by Charles Phox for Not in Our Town Princeton)
A Variety of Activities At Botanical Garden
The New Jersey State Botanical Garden (NJBG) is offering a schedule of concerts, tours, and outdoor programs throughout the summer. The location is in Ringwood, in the heart of Skylands.
Every Sunday through October, free guided tours of the Botanical Garden are led by NJBG’s docents. Meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center and wear comfortable shoes. Steady rain or excessive heat cancels.
Bring lawn chairs for concerts at 6:30 p.m. (suggested donation is $5 per person). Concerts move to the Carriage House in case of rain. On July 25, the Billy 6 Show delivers timeless Billy Joel classics in a lively tribute. On August
8, the Loretta Hagen Band performs folk music.
Tours of Skylands Manor are offered by docents on August 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Learn about the estate’s architecture and history. Excessive heat cancels. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and free for children under 6.
On August 10 at 1 p.m., the Bergen County Audubon Society leads a stroll through the gardens and meadows in search of native butterflies.
Learn about the plants that support them and discover how to help the endangered Monarch. Admission is free, rain cancels.
A family woodland hike is July 20 at 1 p.m. This is an easy, child-friendly hike through NJBG’s woodlands. Learn about the plants and
animals in a hike adapted to the group. Smaller children may need to be carried. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Admission is free, rain or excessive heat cancels.
On August 9 at 1 p.m., Linda Karen leads “The Secret Language of Flowers.” This hands-on workshop includes a garden walk and the creation of a personal Tussie Mussie, Nose Gay, or Posy Bouquet. Reservations are required; limited to 25 participants. The fee is $25. Register at njbg.org. All events take place or begin at the Carriage House Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. Parking fees apply on summer weekends and holidays ($5/ car NJ, $7/car out-of-state). Garden admission is always free.
NOURISHING IDENTITY: FOOD, LAND, AND FAITH with JEFF CHU & MICHAEL TWITTY
Jeff Chu, author of Good Soil, and Michael Twitty, African American Jewish writer, culinary historian, and educator, come together for a rich conversation about how food and land have shaped their identities and their work. Together, they explore how faith and flavor can nourish deeper community, creativity, and connection.
NOTICE OF PRINCETON CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETINGS
2025-2026
2025-2026
Princeton Charter School Board of Trustees has scheduled the following Board of Trustee Meetings for the 2025-2026 school year All meetings are regular business meetings unless otherwise noted. All meetings are held at the Marsee Center, on Princeton Charter School’s campus located at 100 Bunn Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
Princeton Charter School Board of Trustees has scheduled the following Board of Trustee Meetings for the 2025-2026 school year All meetings are regular business meetings unless otherwise noted. All meetings are held at the Marsee Center, on Princeton Charter School’s campus located at 100 Bunn Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
DATE TIME
DATE TIME
July 9, 2025, Thursday 12 PM
July 9, 2025, Thursday 12 PM
August 13, 2025, Wednesday 12 PM
August 13, 2025, Wednesday 12 PM
August 27, 2025, Wednesday 12 P.M
September 10, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
August 27, 2025, Wednesday 12 P.M
October 8, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
September 10, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
November 12, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
October 8, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
December 10, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
November 12, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
January 14, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
February 11, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
December 10, 2025, Wednesday 7 PM
March 7 or Feb 28, 2026, Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM (Board Retreat)
January 14, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
March 11, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
February 11, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
April 15, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
March 7 or Feb 28, 2026, Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM (Board Retreat)
May 13, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
June 10, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM (Annual meeting)
March 11, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM April 15, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
May 13, 2026, Wednesday 7 PM
SUMMER IN THE SKYLANDS: The New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood offers nature walks, live music, and historic architecture.
Preservation New Jersey Summary on Balancing Preservation and Progress
To the Editor:
Preservation New Jersey expresses strong support for investment in protecting Princeton’s historic districts amid ongoing redevelopment pressures. Two notable areas of concern are the Joseph Hornor House in the Jugtown Historic District and the proposed redevelopment near the Mercer Hill Historic District.
The Joseph Hornor House, built in the 1760s by the grandson of one of Princeton’s Quaker founders, is located at 344 Nassau Street. It is a key contributing structure in the Local, State, and National Register-listed Jugtown Historic District. The house stands at the historic intersection of Nassau and Harrison Streets, alongside other significant pre-Revolutionary and early-19th-century buildings. In 2024, it was listed on Preservation New Jersey’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Places due to a proposed redevelopment plan. That plan would add a large four-story structure to the rear of the historic home, effectively surrounding it and compromising its historic integrity.
More recently, attention has turned to the proposed redevelopment of the Princeton Theological Seminary’s Tennent-Roberts-Whiteley (TRW) and 92 Stockton Street sites. This project poses potential threats to the Mercer Hill Historic District. The scale, height, and massing of the proposed buildings are not compatible with the surrounding historic context, which includes modestly scaled 18th- and 19th-century homes like the Joseph Olden House and The Barracks at 32 Edgehill Street — Princeton’s oldest standing residence. The project could also impact the visual and contextual integrity of nationally significant landmarks nearby, such as the Einstein House and Historic Morven. Preservation New Jersey acknowledges and supports the critical need for affordable housing. However, the organization emphasizes that such development must be approached with care, especially when located in or adjacent to historic districts. There is growing concern statewide about redevelopment that leads to demolition or insensitive alterations to historically significant buildings. With the rise of tax credit and affordable housing incentives, it is more important than ever to ensure compliance with established preservation guidelines at all levels.
Thoughtful redevelopment can activate and revitalize historic places. Preservation New Jersey supports projects that respect and preserve the architectural and cultural context of their surroundings. Integrating new construction within historic districts — rather than overwhelming them — is essential for sustainable, community-centered planning. Projects like the revitalization of the Joseph Hornor House should serve as models for how preservation and development can coexist.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Princeton has an opportunity to lead by example. By preserving its historic assets, developing educational resources, and engaging the community, the town can showcase its important role in the nation’s history. Preservation New Jersey encourages the municipality to prioritize practices that honor its unique heritage while meeting present-day needs. Ultimately, the goal is to collaborate with local officials, property owners, and developers to find creative, preservation-minded solutions. We stand ready to offer technical guidance and support to help balance development goals with the protection of Princeton’s historic fabric.
KELLY C. RUFFEL
Executive Director
Preservation New Jersey West State Street, Trenton
Sharing Reaction to Recent Story on Coastal Flooding Rules
To the Editor:
Rather than enlightening, your front-page story “Murphy Urged to Adopt Coastal Flooding Rules” [July 9] left me baffled. It’s self-evident that flash flooding (of inland rivers and streams) is totally different than coastal flooding, yet your reporter, and the spokespeople they quote, ignore that difference so completely that the story reads like nonsense, damaging the credibility of your publication and of those spokespeople’s organizations.
Kerr County, Texas, the site of this week’s tragic floods, is more than 200 miles from the nearest coast, and the flash flooding there was from water rushing downstream from thunderstorms, not from tidal water pushing upstream. So, your reporter’s line “coastal flooding, which reached tragic proportions in Texas last week” is simply inaccurate. And the several spokespeople quoted who point out the Texas floods as well as recent flash flooding warnings in Princeton, and then in the next sentence advocate adopting new coastal flooding rules, are embarrassingly misleading.
I’ve seen the impact of flash flooding here in the Princeton area (most notably along the Rock Brook in Montgomery), and of coastal flooding along the Jersey Shore, and there are improvements that could be made to mitigate both. And I take it on faith that your newspaper and the organizations you quote have a genuine interest in doing so. So how ’bout cutting out the inaccurate and misleading hyperbole, which does nothing but sow mistrust, and instead present a factual presentation of the problems and proposed solutions, so as to educate and build trust towards implementing real solutions?
MARK HORNUNG Servis Road, Skillman
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Calling Up Henry James and Holden Caulfield
I was too depressed to care whether I had a good view or not.
—Holden Caulfield
Poor dear bad bold beauty; there must indeed be something about her —!”
—“The Voice of the Air”
It’s 1905 and Henry James is responding to the “strident, battered, questionable beauty” of that “terrible town,” that “bold bad charmer” New York City. Writing in The American Scene (Penguin Classics 1994), he’s so excitedly conflicted about his feelings for the city he grew up in that he imagines he’s listening to a “voice of the air” seemingly saying “You can’t escape from it, and don’t you see that this, precisely, is what makes an adventure for you... You care for the terrible town ... as I have overheard you call it...”
Still letting “the voice of the air” speak for him, James has it confess that when he called the “monster ‘shameless,’” the admission was “wrung” from him “by the worst of the winter conditions, when circulation, in any fashion consistent with personal decency or dignity, was merely mocked at, when the stony-hearted ‘trolleys,’ cars of Juggernaut in their power to squash, triumphed all along the line, when the February blasts became as cyclones in the darkened gorges of masonry (which down-town, in particular, put on, at their mouths, the semblance of black ratholes, holes of gigantic rats, inhabited by whirlwinds) .... The fury of sound took the form of derision of the rest of your woe, and thus it might , I admit, have struck you as brazen that the horrible place should, in such confessed collapse, still be swaggering and shouting.”
Surely this is James Unplugged, as the MTV generation might have termed it. And all it took was a visit to the city of his birth five years into the 20th century.
July 16
Only two writers are noted on this date in Wikipedia’s list of notable events from 1901 to the present. In 1915 Henry James becomes a British citizen “to highlight his commitment to Britain” during the First World War. In 1951 J.D. Salinger publishes his “popular yet controversial” novel, The Catcher in the Rye — which is why Holden Caulfield was reading over my shoulder as I quoted from James’s losing battle with an earlier incarnation of the same city Holden spent a lonely Christmas weekend in after being expelled from Pencey Prep. At the moment, I’m imagining Holden reading The American Scene in a California clinic where he’s recovering from “the madman stuff” that happened
(“That killed me”), the “creature” whose most “blatant” pretension “is that she is one of those to whom everything is always forgiven.”
Two Characters
It’s “strangely touchy” — as a blurb writer in India once said of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey — to see these two wildly different characters responding to the city where they were born, James in 1843, Caulfield in 1951, midwifed by Salinger, who was born in New York in 1919. It’s as if Henry and Holden are fictional characters while Salinger sits it out on the afterlife sidelines waiting for his heirs to liberate the four decades of work he intended for posthumous publication. Holden first got to me (and no doubt millions of others) in the early chapter where he talks about calling writers up: “What really knocks me out is a book, that when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.”
Even if I knew the number, I wouldn’t call up the writer of the Wikipedia entry that says a novel that spoke to generations is “popular but controversial.”
Calling People Up
As soon as Holden gets to Penn Station after leaving Pencey Prep, he sits down in a phone booth to “give somebody a buzz.” But after spending 20 minutes going through and rejecting half a dozen possibilities, he gives up and gets a cab, and unable to engage the driver in a conversation about where the ducks go when the lake in Central Park freezes over, he invites the man to join him for a “cocktail” (“Can’t do it, Mac. Sorry”). The hotel he checks into is “full of perverts and morons. Screwballs all over the place,” and the “crumby” room he’s given looks out on nothing except the other side of the hotel, but he’s “too depressed to care,” and the 65-year-old “bell boy” is even more depressing than the room. And all he sees when he looks out the window is a “very distinguished look
went to Princeton” gave him. “She used to be a burlesque stripper or something” and when the guy took her to a dance at Princeon “they nearly kicked him out for bringing her.” Her name is Faith Cavendish; she’s asleep when he calls and wants to know who’s calling her up at this crazy hour. After telling her the guy’s name, Eddie, someone he met once at party, they talk about Eddie as if they both knew him; when he asks her out for cocktails, she says maybe tomorrow, and he says he can’t make it. It’s a truly pathetic excuse for a conversation (“I’ll say hello to Eddie for you”) that ends with her saying “I hope you enjoy your stay in New York. It’s a grand place.”
He ends up thinking “I should’ve at least made it for cocktails or something.”
And if you’ve just been reading about James’s struggles with New York, it’s as if Salinger has given Holden his own “bad bold beauty” in Faith Cavendish.
Being Holden
My enjoyment of James unplugged dates back to a college paper on The Ambassadors, an in-class assignment, written Holden-style to express my impatience with the author’s smarmy mannerisms, elite affectations, and self-satisfied view of the world. I wisely resisted calling James the “king of the phonies,” and in the end the professor gave me credit for a “spirited” paper.
If you look up Henry James on the Literature Network in July 2025, you’ll find a rotating series of ads, for toilet bowl cleansers (“Shiny White Toilet Trick,” with before and after shots), “Smart Way To Eliminate Bed Bugs,” “I’m a Virgin” t-shirts, and an Ebay “Complete Your Collection” box filled with images of busty women. There’s something pointlessly to the point about finding James — and the rest of us — in that company.
The Voice Again
I had to put the university behind me and see the world before discovering and appreciating James’s work and even more the endearing human being recalled by friends and various others in Simon Nowell-Smith’s compilation, The Legend of the Master (Constable 1947). After reading James and the “voice of the air” on the travails and excitements of New York, I was struck by what his friend Edith Wharton reported by way of Lady
Prothero (a name he could have written a story around), when she saw him after he had his first stroke in December 1915, that in the “act of falling (he was dressing at the time), he heard in the room a voice which was distinctly, it seemed, not his own, saying: “So here it is at last, the distinguished thing!”
You have to think James might have scribbled that line years before in a notebook. You also have to think how conveniently Holden Caulfield serves as Salinger’s equivalent to James’s “voice in the wind.”
James at War
The writer of the Wikipedia entry for this date says James formally became a British citizen to “highlight his commitment” to Britain during the First World War. Unstated is James’s impatience with America for not joining in. According to one account in The Legend, after “a bitter attack on the attitude of President Wilson,” James sprang up in his seat shouting, “And by Heaven if you want war with America you can have it tomorrow!”
Just as the dynamic of New York brought forth the passionately unplugged James, the war inspired a reckless eloquence, but in his own voice, in a letter to a friend: “Black and hideous to me is the tragedy that gathers, and I’m sick beyond cure to have lived on to see the tide that bore us along was then all the while moving to this as its grand Niagara — yet what a blessing we didn’t know it. It seems to me to undo everything, everything that was ours, in the most horrible retroactive way — but I avert my face from the monstrous scene! — you can hate it and blush for it without my help; we can each do enough of that by ourselves.”
Salinger In War
What would James and his “wind” say today? For that matter, what would Salinger’s Holden say? About 15 pages from the end of the novel, Holden is leaving a note for his beloved little sister Phoebe at her school. On his way up the stairs he notices that someone had defaced the wall with what has since become the most familiar of American obscenities, and he wants “to kill whoever’d written it.” Imagining “some perverty bum,” he “kept picturing … how I’d smash his head on the stone steps until he was good and goddam dead.”
Earlier in The Catcher, Holden says, “Anyway, I’m sort of glad they’ve got the atomic bomb invented. If there’s ever another war, I’m going to sit the hell on top of it. I’ll volunteer for it. I swear to God I will.” When I first read the book, I didn’t know that Holden’s character, whose favorite term of approval is “it killed me,” had been developed during Sgt. Salinger’s progress from D-Day to the Battle of the Bulge to the liberation of the Nazi death camps.
—Stuart Mitchner
An Actor Playing Holmes Tries to Solve Murders in “The Game’s Afoot”; Princeton Summer Theater Succeeds with Ken Ludwig’s Comic Mystery
If “Christmas in July” works for the Hallmark Channel, apparently it also suits theater companies.
Princeton Summer Theater (PST) is continuing its season with Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot. Subtitled Holmes for the Holidays, the comic murder mystery takes place at a Christmas party given by an eccentric actor.
A holiday setting is apparent before the performance starts. Immediately we see Jeff Van Velsor’s ravishing, elaborately furnished set, which includes bright red flowers and a prominently displayed Christmas tree. (Costume Designer Susan McLernon complements this, outfitting one guest with a red dress, another with a green one.)
The Game’s Afoot premiered in 2011 at the Cleveland Play House. Mystery Writers of America awarded the play the Edgar Allen Poe Award (the “Edgar”) for the Best Mystery Play of 2012. Wasif Sami deftly directs the currently running PST production.
The play is set in 1936. The play depicts an actor, William Gillette (played by Lana Gaige) who has made a career out of portraying Sherlock Holmes – and believes that he has the famous literary sleuth’s abilities.
Gillette is based on a real actor (with the same name), who did play Holmes both on stage and in a silent film. However, Ludwig’s script is entirely a work of fiction. Gillette (1853-1937) was 83 at the time the play takes place, while the character seems to be in his late forties or early fifties.
The Game’s Afoot opens with a play within a play; we see Gillette portraying Holmes. There is no change in scenery from Gillette’s spacious living room (though Lighting Designer Florencia Curchitser darkens it to focus on the actors). It is tempting to see this as a blurring of the Holmes play and Gillette’s “reality.”
While giving a post-performance speech Gillette notices that a member of the audience is armed. The gun is fired, wounding the actor. (Colin Lansky’s sound design aids in this scene’s effectiveness. Lansky also simulates a believable radio broadcast; and bridges scenes with string music; one piece, the fourth movement of Beethoven’s String Quartet Opus 95, is requested by the script.)
In an attempt to ferret out the cause and culprit of this, Gillette gives a Christmas party at his mansion – against the wishes of his mother, actress Martha Gillette (played by Alex Conboy, who captures the character’s mixture of fierce protectiveness and slight dottiness).
Gillette’s home is outfitted with a secret compartment hidden in a wall; as well as devices operated by remote control – not
an anachronism, but a comparatively rare, high-end technology in 1936. Dropping a blindingly obvious plot point, a character observes that Gillette’s mansion, which is isolated and on a river, “would be excellent for a murder.”
Some of Gillette’s theatrical colleagues are the first guests to arrive. They include his best friend Felix Geisel (Ja’Quann Spann) and his glamorous and wry wife, Madge Geisel (Lucy Grunden, who laces her delivery of one-liners with irresistible charm); endearingly ambitious Simon Bright (whose apparent lack of worldliness is nicely portrayed by Orion LopezRamierez); and Simon’s new wife, the troupe’s mysteriously wealthy ingénue Aggie Wheeler (Sidney Humes-James, who captures the character’s slightly dangerous elegance). We will discover that Aggie has unrequited feelings for another character.
Amusing though much of the dialogue is (when Simon points out that Gillette is Felix’s best friend, the latter quips, “I repeat, the man is insane”), the initial party scene starts a bit slow. This segment of the script gives the actors little with which to make the characters – which seem to be pastiches of 1930s archetypes (stylized show business professionals that one might see in an Astaire and Rogers musical film) – three-dimensional.
That changes with the arrival of the final guest, who is loathed by all of the others: critic and gossip columnist Daria Chase (portrayed by Emmie Collins, in an outstanding performance). Daria – who tries
no time in antagonizing the other guests. Establishing this conflict between Daria and the rest of the characters changes the chemistry of the ensemble in a positive, entertaining way.
Daria seems to be an amalgam of two (real-life) mid-20 th century writers: gossip columnist Hedda Hopper and critic Pauline Kael. The blonde Collins’ physical appearance (especially the hairstyle) and blithe, brisk delivery of her acerbic lines also somewhat recall Miranda Richardson’s portrayal of columnist Rita Skeeter in the Harry Potter films.
Eventually we discover the reason that Gillette has invited Daria (against everyone’s wishes): she happens to be skilled as a medium, and Gillette wants to hold a séance to discover who is behind the shooting in the theater. The séance, which temporarily shifts the mood from comic to eerie, is given some of Curchitser’s best lighting.
Daria becomes furious when she suspects that the séance is meant to be nothing more than a “parlor game,” and she threatens to write an article that will cause Gillette to be blackballed in show business, angering the protective Martha. Steadily boiling tensions erupt, and a character is stabbed in the back. (The dying victim’s desperate attempt to explain to an obtuse Gillette what has happened reaches its full, morbidly comic potential thanks to the performances and staging.)
The brusquely no-nonsense but stagestruck Inspector Goring (Collins, in a dual role) arrives to investigate the murder. Gillette and Felix, who have touched the
KEN LUDWIG’S “THE GAME’S AFOOT”: Performances are underway for Princeton Summer Theater’s production of Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot.” Directed by Wasif Sami, the play runs through July 19 at Princeton University’s Hamilton Murray Theater. Above: Inspector Goring (Emmie Collins, left) attempts to solve a murder that has taken place at the home of actor William Gillette (Lana Gaige, right), but the latter, who portrays Sherlock Holmes, thinks he can find the culprit on his own.
“The Game’s Afoot” will play at the Hamilton Murray Theater in Murray Dodge Hall, Princeton University, through July 19. For tickets, show times, and further information visit www.princetonsummertheater.org.
evidence, desperately attempt to hide the body. This segment is where Sami really shines as a director. He demonstrates impeccable skill in blocking a scene; and takes full advantage of the skill in timing, and physical comedy, displayed by Gaige and Spann.
The dual casting of Daria and Goring is not requested in the script; it is a production decision. However, it is an apt device that fits the two characters. From a certain viewpoint, the inspector’s job is not dissimilar from the critic’s: to make a decision after processing what she sees and hears.
Unlike the urbane and sometimes insincere Daria, however, the quirky Inspector Goring is comparatively guileless, though experience has taught her to maintain a poker face. Collins excels at keeping the two characters distinctive, giving each of them a unique voice.
Entertaining conflict comes between Inspector Goring, who is a real detective; and Gillette, who thinks he has learned enough from portraying (especially dressing as) Holmes to become one. Collins and Gaige play off of each other well in these scenes, with Gaige’s brooding swagger contesting Collins’ inquisitiveness and slightly haughty reserve.
In recent years Ludwig has had two premieres at McCarter Theatre: Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and The Gods of Comedy (2019). Audiences familiar with those plays likely will notice that The Game’s Afoot contains recognizable elements. There is a mixture of humor with the genre of the whodunit; viewing a stylized past through a lens of showbiz glamour; characters entering from odd places (a bookcase in The Gods of Comedy, a window in The Game’s Afoot ); and a love of popular music (before Daria arrives, Gillette’s guests sing, and dance to “I Got Rhythm”).
“I don’t treat life as a joke – I treat it as the most glorious game ever invented,” Gillette tells Aggie. The Game’s Afoot succeeds because Ludwig is effective in doing two things. First, he uses jokes to cover the games that his characters are playing (their initially hidden machinations). Second, he establishes central conflicts between Daria and the actors, and between Gillette and Inspector Goring.
This visually attractive PST production succeeds with both of these aspects of the script. The talented cast ably delivers the one-liners, while giving layered performances that mask the characters’ motives.
The holiday-themed The Game’s Afoot may appear out of season for a summer production, but the spunky Gillette likely would enjoy that contradiction.
– Donald H. Sanborn III
(Photo by Lucy Shea)
Ludwig's
Summer Theater’s licence to present Nick Dear’s version of ‘FRANKENSTEIN from the novel by Mary Shelley is granted by Rosica Colin Limited, London
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Midsummer Arts
Shawn Campbell Named Honored Artist of The 96th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill
Every year, as part of its Juried Art Show, the Phillips’ Mill Community Association’s Art Committee recognizes one artist whose work, dedication, and ongoing involvement with the Mill exemplify artistic excellence and camaraderie. This year’s honoree, sculptor Shawn Campbell of Milford, embodies all these qualities — as well as a deep sense of gratitude. Shawn will be honored at the preview reception of the 96th Juried Art Show in September.
Campbell credits much of her success and happiness as an artist to the support and mentoring she has received from fellow Mill members over the past several years, beginning when she first entered work in the Juried Art Show. “The first time I entered the show,” says Campbell, “I didn’t really know what Phillips’ Mill was. A gallery that represented me suggested I submit my work. I soon figured out the show was really prestigious. I was such a newbie, literally shaking when I walked into the room with my artwork on receiving day — I thought they were going to kick me out.”
Not only was her work accepted into that first show several years ago, but she has since become an awardwinning sculptor whose work has been included in more than 35 exhibitions including the Lehigh Art Alliance Juried Exhibition, the Art of the River Towns Juried Art Show, several shows at New Hope Arts, and, of course, the Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill where she won the Patrons’ Award for Sculpture in the 2023.
“I’ve made such great friends, and I so appreciate the camaraderie and the community at Phillips’ Mill. It has really changed my life,” says Campbell about her transformative journey from nervous newcomer to celebrated artist.
Originally a painter, Campbell is now a disciplined, full-time ceramic sculptor, hand-building everything in her home studio — from figurative works to large platters and what she calls “big-ass salad bowls.”
She typically works from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with her dogs by her side, music blaring or a TV show on in the
background. Both her functional and sculptural pieces are included in the current two-woman show, “Art in Harmony: Where Oil Meets Clay” at Stover Mill Gallery in Tinicum with Cindy Roesinger, open weekends through the end of July.
Shawn Campbell
She is also a dedicated member of Phillips’ Mill, serving on the Art Committee for the past four years and serving as chair of the newer Mill Members Art Show & Sale which enters its third season next year under her stewardship. “The Mill is so inclusive. Everyone has a voice and can express their opinion freely,” she says. “That’s really important to me, and it comes through in my work, too.”
Before art, Campbell had a high-powered career running global operations for a talent management corporation, traveling the world and training teams. These days, she channels that energy into creative exploration. She still travels often — though now for pleasure — and finds inspiration everywhere, from tile patterns in local shops and markets to fine art museum collections. A devoted student, she takes at least one workshop every year to refine her skills, noting that Montanabased sculptor Adrian Arleo is a major influence.
“I’ve also always collected art,” she says. “I love seeing how other people think, how they come up with their ideas. It inspires me. It makes me wonder — how can I make something like that?”
As Honored Artist, Campbell’s work will be prominently featured at this year’s Juried Art Show, which runs September 20-October 26, 2025. It’s a full-circle moment for an artist whose journey from uncertainty to confidence has been shaped by clay — and by the welcoming community she found at Phillips’ Mill.
Founded in 1929, Phillips’
Mill Community Association continues the legacy of its founders –– William Lathrop, Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, Fern Coppedge and other New Hope School artists — by providing a welcoming space for artists to gather and exhibit their work. Just as they honored and exhibited the art of their time, Phillips’ Mill takes pride in presenting the art of today, from traditional Bucks County landscapes to the modern and abstract, embracing expression in all forms. For information about the Mill’s programs, events, and membership visit www.phillipsmill.org.
Phillips’ Mill Community Association is located at 2619 River Road, just north of New Hope, 215-8620582.
Princeton Dance and Theater
Princeton Dance & Theater Studio is an American Ballet Theatre Certified School offering the finest dance training in the region. Founded in 2003 by Susan Jaffe (current director of American Ballet Theatre) and Risa Kaplowitz (former principal dancer with Dayton Ballet), the school offers the finest training in
the region in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, and Flamenco
Students of all ages receive supportive, encouraging, and detailed instruction with emphasis on strength, technique, and expression. Ballet classes follow the ABT National Training Curriculum with professional, fully-certified instructors. Our holistic approach nurtures the whole dancer and supports healthy goals within a culture of high expectations.
Adult and recreational classes welcome students to explore a passion, discover a new challenge, or enjoy a great workout. Perfect for learning essentials or refining skills in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment.
Enrollment is open for the 2025/26 school year. Visit our website to explore and sign up for August Open House (ages 2.5 - adult). princetondance.com/classes-programs/school-year/ Classes start September 12th.
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place inspiring environments for musical growth.
GPYO is proud to foster not only artistic excellence, but also discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Many alumni go on to pursue professional careers in music, while others apply the skills and confidence gained through GPYO to thrive in a wide range of fields.
To learn more about our programs or to schedule an audition, please visit
Lenape Chamber
The Lenape Chamber Ensemble invites you to celebrate the long and convivial hours of summer daylight with their Gala Concerts of world-class musicians—and share in the Lenape Chamber Ensemble’s 50th Anniversary good cheer!
Spend the next two Saturday evenings experiencing outstanding artists playing in an intimate venue — hear favorites of chamber music along with new classics, chat with friends over refreshments, and meet the instrumentalists after the concert. All performances are in the acoustically excellent Life Sciences Auditorium on the campus of Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Pa. Enter the campus from New Britain Road to access easy parking close to the
On Saturday, July 19 at 8 p.m. guest musicians from
the Philadelphia Orchestra will play selections from Mendelssohn, Poulenc and Schubert. The artists include violinists Christine Lim and Julia Li, violist Che-Hung Chen, cellist Hae-Ye Ni, bassist Nathaniel West, clarinetist Samuel Caviezel, bassoonist Emeline Chong, horn player Ernesto Tovar and pianist Marcantonio Barone.
On Saturday, July 26 at 8 p.m. the Lenape Chamber Ensemble performs works by Beethoven, Brahms and Debussy. The musicians featured are violinists Cyrus Beroukhim and Nancy Bean, violist William Frampton, cellist Alberto Parrini and pianist Marcantonio Barone.
Find out why audience members have written these accolades after performances —
“To hear this music live . . . was definitely the highlight of the summer for me.”
“I have been going to the Lenape Chamber Ensemble performances for over 35 years. . . They hooked me on great chamber music and I revel in their performances. You make each summer an anticipated pleasure.”
Tickets are $20 for Seniors, $25 for Adults and $5 for Students, and can be reserved online through the website or purchased at the door. For further information and directions visit www.LenapeChamber Ensemble.org.
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Princeton University Art Museum to Open This Halloween
Save the date for a celebration: the new Princeton University Art Museum opens to the public with a 24 Hour open house on October 31 (yes, that’s Halloween!).
After a multi-year design and construction process, the new Museum will reopen with a roster of exhibitions and programs designed to activate the Museum’s new spaces, including 80,000 square feet of gallery display, two creativity labs for hands-on art making, six object study classrooms, an auditorium, and two seminar rooms, a restaurant, and more. Visitors can look forward to a full season of public programming, including artist conversations, panel discussions, film screenings, performances, and art making for all ages and abilities.
For details on the October 31 opening events, upcoming programs, and sneak-peeks inside the new Museum, subscribe to the Museum’s newsletter by visiting the website at artmuseum.princeton.edu.
Princeton Ballet School (American Repertory Ballet)
Enroll Now at Princeton Ballet School! Princeton Ballet School (PBS), the official school of American Repertory Ballet, is now enrolling. PBS has gained an international reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by Audrée Estey. At its locations in Princeton and New Brunswick, PBS offers classes in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Character, Flamenco, and more. What sets Princeton Ballet School apart from the usual dance school are its affiliation with aprofessional ballet company, its renowned faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and its dedication to live music in the classroom. “It improves students’ musicality, allowing them to adapt to live tempo changes, which is crucial for both technique and artistry,” says Aydmara Cabrera, Princeton Ballet School’s School Director. “Our classes mirror the professional world, where livemusic is key to both rehearsals and performances.”PBS provides opportunities for students starting at age 2.5
all the way through its adult Open Enrollment classes. Whether you’re revisiting a favorite style, or trying something new, drop-in, register online, and get ready to dance! Classes are available for all levels; everyone is welcome! PBS also offers its award winning DANCE POWER program, Dance for Parkinson’s, and performance opportunities, such as the option to participate in American Repertory Ballet’s celebrated annual production of The Nutcracker. Visit www. arballet.org or call 609-92177458 to learn more and enroll today!
Princeton Summer Theater
This weekend, Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot closes at Princeton Summer Theater! It’s your last chance to help William Gillette, a Sherlock Holmes fanatic, and his friends solve the Christmas murder mystery at Gillette Castle!
Princeton Summer Theater opens Nick Dear’s adaptation of Frankenstein next Thursday, July 24, which brings a fresh view of the classic gothic horror story. Told from the Creature’s perspective (played by Lana Gaige, Princeton Class of ’24), the production features an industrial-looking set that outlines an exoskeleton on the PST stage. Directed by Alex Conboy, Princeton ’25, PST’s Frankenstein promises a faithful portrayal of the text, while exploring the gender roles throughout the narrative and highlighting the feminist tones found in the source material.
Nick Dear’s adaptation of Frankenstein is a bold, visceral reimagining of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel. This gripping version places the Creature—not Victor Frankenstein—at the story’s emotional center, exposing the raw humanity, isolation, and longing beneath his monstrous exterior. Dear’s script powerfully explores themes of creation, responsibility, and the boundaries of scientific ambition, all while challenging the audience’s empathy and moral judgments.
What sets this adaptation apart is its focus on the Creature’s journey: from
birth to self-awareness, from innocence to vengeance. It’s an intensely physical and psychological experience, often performed with rotating lead roles to underscore the duality between creator and creation. The dialogue is both lyrical and piercing, capturing the philosophical depth of Shelley’s original work while grounding it in raw, theatrical immediacy. Frankenstein offers a thrilling theatrical experience that is both intellectually provocative and emotionally haunting. It’s a masterpiece of adaptation that invites you to question what it truly means to be human. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness this electrifying fusion of literature, drama, and existential horror.
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OPENING SOON!: The Princeton University Art Museum opening is eagerly awaited, scheduled for October 31. (Photo by Joseph Hu)
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Tickets available at princetonsummertheater.org/ tickets
Voices Chorale
Join Voices Chorale NJ for a Summer Sing and Auditions!
Monday, August 18, 7:30 p.m. Music Together Worldwide Headquarters 225 Pennington-Hopewell Rd, Hopewell, Free & Open to the Public (Donations appreciated).
Calling all singers! Voices Chorale NJ invites you to a joyful evening of musicmaking at our Annual Summer Sing. Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or simply love to sing, come experience the fun and harmony of group singing — no strings attached!
You’ll get a sneak peek of highlights from our upcoming 2025–2026 season, including “A Christmas Garland” by the talented John Whittaker and “The Hope of Loving” by awardwinning Jake Runestad, one of today’s most compelling choral composers.
Scores will be provided, and we’ll sweeten the evening with light refreshments and ice cream!
Meet our Artistic Director, Dr. David A. McConnell, sing alongside current members, and discover if Voices Chorale NJ is the right musical home for you.
Interested in joining? Auditions will be held the same evening—just contact us to schedule. All voice parts welcome!
Learn more at www. voiceschoralenj.org
For adults, we offer fulltime and part-time programs. Students can tailor their schedules to their availability while receiving serious academic training in figure, portrait, still life, landscape, and art theory. All instruction is studiobased and guided by highly trained faculty who are committed to preserving classical traditions in a contemporary world.
Pre-recorded online classes will be available soon through our website.
Whether you are seeking a professional art education or personal enrichment, we welcome you to join our community of dedicated artists and lifelong learners. www.princetonacademy ofart.com | @princeton academyofart
The Arts Council of Princeton’s yART Sale
On Saturday, August 2, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. bargain hunters are invited to shop imperfect, slightly damaged, misprinted or discontinued designs at thrift worthy prices by 30+ local artisans at the Arts Council of Princeton’s (ACP) annual yART Sale. One-of-a-kind items, such as ceramics, paintings, jewelry, textiles, printmaking and much more await those who love to rifle through unknown treasures. The flea-market style event will be held outdoors in the ACP parking lot and around the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, located at 102 Witherspoon Street.
Voices Chorale NJ (VCNJ) is an auditioned chorus of about 40 members from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We welcome skilled singers from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and are dedicated to offering a rewarding musical journey for our members, engaging experiences for our audiences, and educational opportunities for the local community. Our performances showcase collaborations with internationally acclaimed composers, local children’s choirs, chamber orchestras, and accomplished soloists, enriching our dynamic repertoire, which includes sacred and secular music from across eras and around the world.
Princeton Academy Of Art
Princeton Academy of Art is a non-profit 501(c)3 classical art school dedicated to the rigorous study of drawing, painting, and sculpture. Rooted in the academic traditions of the old masters, our Academy offers an immersive educational experience for students of all ages and skill levels.
Across all three programs, we emphasize strong foundational training and technical excellence.
The Pre-Academy program (PRECAD) introduces young students to the principles of design through structure, proportion, and shading. Over time, students progress to more advanced techniques in observational drawing and painting. Teenagers preparing for higher education can enroll in our Pre-College program, which provides individualized instruction and guidance for applications to top fine art and architecture schools.
organization founded in 1967, fulfills its mission of building community through the arts by presenting a wide range of programs including public art projects, exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops. Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population in the greater Princeton region. To learn more, visit artscouncilofprinceton. org or follow @artscouncilofprinceton.
‘Matinee Masterpieces’ Headline Kelsey Theatre Offerings for 2025-26 Season Fans of live theater can enjoy added matinee performances all year long, as the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College will present a series of “Matinee Masterpieces” for the entire 2025-26 season.
The Kelsey Theatre, a community resource for the arts in central New Jersey for 53 years, will be offering 2 p.m. matinees both Saturday and Sunday for the upcoming season, while still offering evening shows for guests who prefer a night out at the theater. The 2025-26 season features the work of 10 resident semi-professional theater companies in addition to a student company.
New this year: Propagate Studio’s mobile RV Art Supply Thrift Shop will be onsite with a “take what you’ll use, pay what you can” model for creative thrifters. Plus, shop the special ACP staff table featuring handmade goods from the people who power the Arts Council.
This event celebrates the community’s shared commitment to sustainability and creativity while giving artists a chance to clear out their studios—and fill yours with fresh finds.
Also happening the weekend of August 1-3: a rare opportunity to collect original works by renowned artist Thomas George (1918–2014). From Friday through Sunday, the ACP Taplin Gallery will host a special sale of Tom’s artwork in partnership with his sons, John and Geoff George.
A longtime Princeton resident, Tom’s prolific career spanned the globe, drawing inspiration from Japan, China, Norway, and right here in Central Jersey. His work is featured in the permanent collections of institutions including MoMA, the Whitney, and the Tate. This limitedtime sale will offer woodcuts, prints, drawings, oils, pastels, and watercolors— from informal sketches to framed pieces—at accessible price points, with a portion of proceeds benefiting ACP’s community programs.
Don’t miss this unique weekend of artistic discovery, collecting, and community celebration.
For a full vendor list and more information, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org.
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton.
About the Arts Council of Princeton:
The Arts Council of Princeton, a non-profit
The upcoming season features something for every theater lover, from comedies to dramas — classics to contemporary — including a selection of musicals to suit every taste. Keeping prices affordable is part of Kelsey’s mission, with no ticket price more than $30.
All musicals feature live orchestras, which in the upcoming season include The Sponge Bob Musical, South Pacific, Young Frankenstein, She Loves Me, The Prom, Seussical the Musical, The Little Mermaid, and Stephen Sondheim’s Company . In addition, Kelsey Theatre will feature a variety of comedies, dramas, and holiday shows, including Drop Dead!, Seasonal Allergies, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Nutcracker, Arms and the Man, Gaslight, Clue Live On Stage!, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The 39 Steps, The Comedy of Errors and a tribute to Jethro Tull’s album “Aqualung” by the Reock & Roll Revue. Interactive movie events include Wicked, The Nightmare Before Christmas, White Christmas, and Encanto.
Conveniently located on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, Kelsey Theatre’s mission is to enrich and uplift local residents through affordable, high-quality theater productions, arts education programs, and performance opportunities. Season subscriptions now available; visit the website at www.kelseytheatre.org or call (609) 570-3333 for more information.
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is printed entirely on recycled paper.
Performing Arts
MUSIC AND MORE: The annual Sourland Mountain Festival returns to Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes on August 16. The family-friendly event offers culture, cuisine, and community.
Tickets Now Available for Sourland Mountain Festival
The Sourland Mountain Festival will take place on Saturday, August 16, rain or shine, from 3-8 p.m. at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the festival will open with Dave Butler and Friends, featuring Jon Ladeau. The schedule of shows also includes James Popik & Supernova, BetterDucks, and the high-energy funk band Charles Laurita & The Mischief.
“We wanted to create a festival that truly celebrates the spirit of the Sourlands — its music, its makers, and its mission,” said Tiffany Bai, festival co-chair. “We’re so proud of the lineup, community partners, vendors, and experiences we’re offering this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary.”
In addition to the music, the festival will feature a variety of interactive and family-friendly attractions. Llamas from Spruce Run
Llama Farm, guided nature hikes led by educators from the Raritan Headwaters Association, and face-painting are also scheduled.
Native plants will be available for purchase from My Backyard at Nectars, a Titusville-based native plant center. Shoppers can also browse handcrafted goods from local artisans and small businesses, including Hillsborough Trading Co., while those curious about what the future may hold can enjoy a reading from Amanda the Psychic.
The Ryland Inn will return to offer its signature VIP culinary experience, led by chef Daniel Brunina and his team. Food vendors AMA Pizza, Cas Pierogi, and Olsson’s Fine Foods will be on hand, along with Lone Eagle Brewing.
“Proceeds from the Sourland Mountain Festival support the Sourland Conservancy’s efforts to protect and preserve this unique and vital region,” said festival co-chair Aditi Bhogal.
“It’s a fun day out, but it’s
also a chance to give back and be part of something meaningful,” she said.
The Sourland Mountain Festival is organized and staffed almost entirely by volunteers, many of whom have been involved for several years. East Amwell’s volunteer rescue squad will be on-site to support safety throughout the day, and accessible parking will be available near the festival entrance. Visit sourlandmountainfest.com/tickets for more information and tickets.
Princeton Symphony Orchestra To Offer Single Tickets
Single tickets for the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO)’s 2025-26 Season will go on sale Monday, July 21 Buying tickets early ensures the best choice of seats for the PSO’s Classical Series and Holiday POPS! concerts at Richardson Auditorium.
All Classical Series performances take place on select Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (a new start time)
and Sundays as usual at 4 p.m . This year’s Holiday POPS! concerts take place on Saturday, December 13. Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov conducts all but the Holiday POPS! and February concerts.
Audience favorite Aubree Oliverson returns to the PSO stage along with violinist Bella Hristova who last performed with the orchestra in 2014. Pianists Maxim Lando and 2025 Grammy winner Michelle Cann, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, and Serbian-French cellist Maja Bogdanovic will each be appearing with the PSO for the first time.
The season includes concertos by Dvorák, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Grieg, and Saint-Saëns as well as the world premiere of a new work for harpsichord and
small orchestra by Princeton-based composer Julian Grant. Additional contemporary compositions include Dobrinka Tabakova’s Orpheus’ Comet , Andreia Pinto Correia’s Ciprés , Jessie Montgomery’s Records from a Vanishing City, and Viet Cuong’s Extra(ordinarily) Fancy
Among the masterworks to be presented are Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 1 as orchestrated by Schoenberg , Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, Shostakovich’s First Symphony, Beethoven’s Second
Symphony, and Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony. Princeton Festival veterans Aubry Ballarò , soprano; Nicholas Nestorak , tenor; and Joseph Barron , bass will perform the full version of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella
Review the PSO’s performance calendar online at princetonsymphony.org/ calendar with links to individual event pages. Single tickets start at $40; there are also cost-saving full subscriptions (save up to 25 percent) and Pick 3+ ticket packages available.
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THE COMING SEASON: Violinist Aubree Oliverson returns as soloist with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) for season-opening concerts October 25-26. (Photo by PSO staff)
Performing Arts
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McCarter and State Theaters Hold Sales on Holiday Shows
McCarter Theatre and State Theatre New Jersey are holding special Christmas in July sales through July 31.
The McCarter sale is for tickets to the December 9 and 10 performances of A Christmas Carol, which will star Cameron Knight as Ebenezer Scrooge. The limit is four tickets per transaction. Use code JULY26 to save 10 percent at Mccarter.org.
McCarter is at 91 University Place.
At the State Theatre, located at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, tickets for just-added holiday shows are 20 percent off with promo code MERRY20. Visit Stnj.org/Christmas.
Shows include A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage on November 29; Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis on December 6; Engelbert Humperdinck: A Winter World of Love on December 9; ELF The Musical on November
14 and 16; Cirque Dreams Holidaze o n December 1213; The Nutcracker with American Repertory Ballet on December 19-21; and a New Year’s Eve tradition at State Theatre, Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert on December 31. Sarah Brightman: A Winter Symphony on November 30 will also be part of the sale.
Cirque de Paris
Returns to MarketFair
Cirque de Paris presented by Anouchka Bouglione returns under the Big Top at MarketFair from August 21 to September 1. Tickets are on sale for this all-new onering spectacle rich in French circus traditions. This all-new show features a new ensemble of Europe’s best circus artists. The 90-minute production includes BMX trick riders, grand illusionists, high-flying aerialists, nimble acrobats, comedic clowns, and more.
Producer Anouchka Bouglione, seventh generation of France’s circus family, has curated an all-new ensemble of artists performing
together for the first time in the U. S. and Canada. After a successful premiere tour of North America in 2024, Bouglione is continuing to share her rich heritage that spans more than a century.
The cast includes members of the BouglioneMonteiro family as well as from around the globe. A performer as well as a producer, Anouchka Bouglione enters the ring with a hula hoop performance as she continuously gyrates while adding hoops, building to more than 25 spinning rings. Her husband, Reinaldo Monteiro, presents a New Age laser performance. The couple’s son, Noah, sets an immersive environment by painting the stage with light and enveloping the audience with sound.
Ukrainian born Kostiantyn Tsymbal presents a BMX act featuring recordbreaking front wheel hops. High-flying acrobats Brandon & Jacqueline, illusionist Flashback Magic, and clown Pedro Junior are also in the cast.
Visit cirquedeparis. com for more information and the show schedule.
McCarter Offers Classes
For Artists of All Ages McCarter Theatre’s educa tion programs have been an nounced for the 2025-2026 season. The classes are for participants of all ages and experience levels.
Youth and teen classes in clude movement, voice, en semble work, performance, and more. Saturday classes
Organic Garden State Organic Garden State
are described as a “skillbuilding track for young performers who want high quality training while balancing weekly schedules.” The classes are for students seeking serious instruction with scheduling flexibility.
Spring break camp, in March 2026, is a one-week intensive where young artists explore character, storytelling, and collaboration in a high-energy setting.
Adult classes, which begin September 9, include scene study, acting collective, and improv.
To enroll or get more information, visit education@ mccarter.org.
Applications Being Accepted For Hodder Fellowships
The Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University is now accepting applications from artists in all artistic disciplines for two opportunities, the Princeton Arts Fellowship and the Hodder Fellowship. Details and link to the online applications are posted at arts. princeton.edu/fellowships. Both applications are due by September 9.
Princeton Arts Fellowships are awarded to early career composers, conductors, musicians, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, poets, novelists, playwrights, designers, directors and performance artists who would find it beneficial to spend time teaching and working in an artistically vibrant university community. Fellows spend two consecutive academic years (September 1-July 1) at Princeton and formal teaching is expected. The normal work assignment will be to teach one course each semester subject to approval by the Dean of the Faculty, however fellows may be asked to take on an artistic assignment in lieu of a class, such as directing a play or creating a dance with students. Prior teaching experience is not required. Although the teaching load is light,
the expectation is that fellows will be full and active members of the Princeton community, committed to frequent and engaged interactions with students during the academic year.
A $93,000 stipend is provided for each of the two years. As academic appointees, fellows are eligible for benefits during the two fellowship years; they may not hold concurrent teaching positions at other institutions for the duration of the fellowship. Fellows also have access to research funds. Typically, two new Princeton Arts Fellows are selected each year.
Open to artists demonstrating “much more than ordinary intellectual and literary gifts,” the Hodder Fellowship is awarded to artists “more for promise than for performance,” enabling them to pursue an independent project for one academic year. Potential Hodder Fellows are composers, choreographers, performance artists, visual artists, writers, translators, or other kinds of artists or humanists. Given the strength of the applicant pool, most successful fellows have published a first book or have similar achievements in their own fields; the Hodder is designed to provide fellows with the “studious leisure” to undertake significant new work. No teaching is required.
A $93,000 stipend is provided for this 10-month appointment as a visiting fellow. Fellows are eligible for benefits during the length of the fellowship and have access to research funds.
Typically, five Hodder Fellows are selected in each cycle.
The Hodder Fellowship dates back to the 1940s and was historically awarded only to literary artists. Earlier recipients include the poet John Berryman (1950) and the critic R.P. Blackmur (1944), as well as novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi
(2005) and Anthony Doerr (2003), whose novel All the Light We Cannot See won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Today, the Hodder is open to artists in all disciplines, and recent fellows have included playwrights, choreographers, filmmakers, and visual artists as well as writers, such as Natalie Diaz, Mark Thomas Gibson, Jamil Kochai, Mario Moore, Jiehae Park, Martyna Majok, Okwui Okpokwasili, Will Rawls, and Leslie Cuyjet.
The Princeton Arts Fellowship was launched in 2013. Among the 28 fellows to date are Gi (Ginny) Huo, Raja Feather Kelly, Jaamil Olawale Kosoko, yuniya edi kwon, Michael J. Love, Tiona Nekkia McClodden, Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez, Erika L. Sánchez, Danez Smith, Kamara Thomas, and Maysoon Zayid.
Roxey Ballet Holds River Dance Festival
On August 15 and 16, Roxey Ballet will present the fourth annual River Dance Festival at Mill Ballet School, 46 North Sugan Road in New Hope, Pa. Show are at 7 p.m. on Friday, and 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Each performance will highlight a different roster of talent, movement style, cultural perspective, and creative voice. Among the numerous featured artists and troupes are The Mill Ballet School, Adrianna Poindexter, La-Chelle M. Dickenson, Mia Canzonieri, Bridget Ryan, Opus/The Company, Kayla Babicki/ The Dolls, Puluka Projects, Julianne Cerreta, Jillian Allexander, Allegory Dance Theatre, and several others. Special passes are available for $90 to allow admission to all of the shows. Visit roxeyballet.org/riverdancefestival.
Get the scoop from
CHRISTMAS IN JULY: “ELF The Musical” is among the offerings of State Theatre New Jersey’s upcoming season of holiday shows. Special sales are underway at the New Brunswick theater and at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre through July 31. (Photo by Matt Crockett)
SEEKING CREATIVE ARTISTS: 2023-25 Princeton Arts Fellow yuniya edi kwon performs her experimental music-theater work-in-progress, silver through the grass like nothing, in January 2024 prior to its premiere at National Sawdust in Brooklyn in spring 2025. (Photo by Felicity Audet)
“Wild & Wonderful” Exhibit
At Hamilton Nature Center
“ART GARDEN TANGLE”: Works by Zina Umyn of Bordentown are at the Tulpehaking Nature Center in Hamilton through August 29. An opening reception is on Sunday, July 27 from 2:30-4 p.m. is available at the historic Watson House. Purchase of original artworks can be made at the nature center’s reception desk, or call (609) 888-3218. Thirty percent of sales will benefit FFAM’s mission and educational programming for Abbott Marshlands. (abbottmarshlands.org).
The nonprofit Friends for the Abbott Marshlands (FFAM) has announced a new art exhibit, entitled “Wild & Wonderful,” on display through August 29. This solo exhibit by Zina Umyn of Bordentown is at the Tulpehaking Nature Center, Hamilton. Its galleries are located at 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton, at the edge of the Abbott Marshlands – Roebling Park. The center is open Wednesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Parking
The exhibition’s opening reception is on Sunday, July 27 from 2:30-4 p.m., with many art and nature enthusiasts expected to attend. (RSVP at /tinyurl.com/ ja7532ar).
Umyn is a studio and
plein air painter in Bordentown and a retired graphic artist. Born in Germany, of Ukrainian descent, she spent her early childhood in Brazil before emigrating to the U.S., Umyn always knew she would be involved in art. She graduated with honors from Parsons School of Design, majoring in illustration. She further studied painting at the School of Visual Arts, New York, and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
The natural world has always been the underlying inspiration in her work. Watercolor is a favored medium, while Umyn also creates projects in oil or acrylic. Favorite themes are landscapes, gardens, birds and insects. Capturing the light has been an ongoing pursuit. Umyn also teaches in her studio and has led workshops and demonstrations. She has exhibited widely in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and is a Signature Member of the Garden State Watercolor Society. She has artwork in private collections in the United States, England, and Dominica, and accepts private commissions. See her work at instagram.com/zina. umyn.fineart.
“Time of Day(s)” Exhibit at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville “Time of Day(s),” a new exhibit of paintings by Laura Rutherford Renner and Alla Podolsky, will be at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville August 7 through August 31. An opening reception is on Saturday, August 9 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Renner, from Collingswood, follows the narrative with shade, shadow, and color. Her work has been described as “Bold, brave, and a true voice.” Renner said, “Capturing contemporary life snapshots in two dimensions is an exercise in problem-solving and creativity. I enjoy mixing pure colors, keeping my palette simple to create authentic
“DOGOYLE” TOUR: A paw-sitively fun afternoon in Princeton on Thursday, July 17 includes specialty items from participating locations including Small World Coffee.
observation. The quiet engagement of brush to palette and brush to board provides daily calm and purpose.”
Renner, a retired occupational therapist of 27 years, also works as a job coach with young adults with disabilities.
Philadelphia artist Podolsky views her work as a way of preserving time. “I tend to process time less linearly and more as a series of moments — both bright or dark, “she said. “Colors, light, and compositions unique to those moments make their way into my paintings. They help me tell a story and keep time.”
A native of Kiyv, Ukraine, Podolsky traces her love of psychological painting to that ancient city’s iconography and rich narrative traditions. Her work is a combination of her European sensibilities and her American experiences.
Artists’ Gallery is located at 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville. For more information, Visit at LambertvilleArts.com or call (609) 397-4588.
Take a Self-Guided “Dogoyle” Tour Throughout Town
The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) invites the community to embark on a whimsical, self-guided tour featuring the charming “dogoyle” sculptures created by ACP Spring 2025 Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence Victor E. Bell. The tour kicks off on Thursday, July 17, from 4 to 6 p.m., beginning at the ACP.
At the ACP, attendees can pick up a Dogoyle Tour Map and have the opportunity to meet Bell himself. Plus, say hello to some adorable, adoptable dogs from SAVE, the local animal shelter supported by this project.
Tour highlights include: At Orvana: Snag the same stylish bandana worn by the Orvana dogoyle, with percent of sales to support SAVE.
At Small World Coffee, enjoy Espresso con Panna and Rottweiler cookies, while supplies last.
At the bent spoon, Let your pup indulge in a custom puppy ice cream flavor, with proceeds benefiting SAVE.
At Princeton Garden Theatre, grab free popcorn (while supplies last) and
stock up on movie snacks at the concession stand.
Dogoyle Stickers: Collect unique stickers at select locations to show off your love for local art — and pups.
Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org for the full map and list of participating businesses.
About the artist and the dogoyles: Bell is a passionate artist, community member, and lifelong dog lover — especially rescue pups. His dogoyles are imaginative ceramic sculptures combining elements of dogs and gargoyles. Each one is uniquely crafted for a local business or community spot, symbolizing the magic and love that dogs — and smalltown charm — bring into our lives. All dogoyles feature a QR code linking directly to SAVE, making it easy for visitors to learn more and support local rescue efforts.
This project is made possible through the support of Timothy M. Andrews, longtime advocate of the Arts Council and underwriter of the Anne Reeves Artist-inResidence program.
Arts Council of Princeton is at 102 Witherspoon Street. For more information, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org or call (609)924-8777.
Gourgaud Gallery, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, has “Peace and Tranquility” through July 30. Cranburyartscouncil.org. Green Building Center, 67 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Emerging Artists Exhibition” through September 30. Greenbuildingcenter.com. Historical Society of Princeton, Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, has “Princeton Reflected: Stories from HSP’s Collection” and “Einstein Salon and Innovator’s Gallery.” Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. Princetonhistory.org
Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution” through December 31, 2026. Mercermuseum.org.
Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real” through July 27 and “Judith Schaechter: Super/Natural” through September 14. Michenerartmuseum .org Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, has “Historic Morven: A Window Into America’s Past” (ongoing). Morven.org.
Art@Bainbridge, 158 Nassau Street, has “Léni Paquet-Morante: Extract / Abstract” July 19 through November 9. Artmuseum. princeton.edu.
Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Footsteps” through August 3. An opening reception is on Saturday, July 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com.
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Mirrored Hues” and “Places Near and Far” through July 19. Artscouncilofprinceton.org.
Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, has “Scott Hoerl: Still Life Photos +,” Jill Mudge: Narratives in Nature,” and “Barbara Warren: Imaginary Landscapes” through July 20. Gallery14.org.
Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, has “Celestial Bodies: Black Queer Identity in Precolonial Africa” through August 18. Princetonlibrary.org. West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “See Beauty Everywhere: Art by Priscilla Snow Algava” through August 8. An opening reception is on Saturday, July 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. Westwindsorarts.org.
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“STOP AND REFLECT; This oil on board work by Laura Rutherford Renner is part of “Time of Day(s),” on view at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville August 7 through August 31. An opening reception is on August 9 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Town Topics
Wednesday, July 16
8-10 a.m.: Nonprofit Wellness Breakfast at NJM Insurance Group, 301 Sullivan Way, West Trenton, sponsored by the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber. Princetonchamber.org.
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens. Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one discussions about issues affecting Princeton inside the area of the clock tower at Princeton Shopping Center.
6 p.m.: The Board of Trustees of Princeton Public Library meets at the library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.
6-7:30 p.m.: Evening Yoga in the Gardens with Gratitude Yoga at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Donation-based weekly class. Bring a mat, towel, and water bottle. Morven.org.
6:30 p.m.: Summer Reading Soiree , sponsored by Princeton Public Library at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Author Claire Messud discusses her book This Strange Eventful History with Amy Jo Burns. Registration requested at princetonlibrary.org.
7:30-10 p.m.: Contra dance at Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument
Drive. Liesl Jandry with Flying Buttresses. Princeton countrydancers.org.
Thursday, July 17
5-8 p.m.: Trivia in the Winery at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. With DJ Iron Mike. Includes such categories as general knowledge, entertainment, history and geography, sports, and name that tune. Terhuneorchards.com .
6:30 p.m.: George Washington’s Ten Crucial Days , a talk by historian David Price at the Lawrence Headquarters branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Registration requested. Mcl.org.
7 p.m.: Story & Verse Open Mic at the Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street. The theme is “In the Deep End.” Hosted by Brass Rabbit. Share a story, poem, or spoken word piece up to 5 minutes long. Free. Artscouncilof princeton.org.
Friday, July 18
10:30 a.m.: Tim Hoh’s Music for Kids at the West Windsor Library, 333 North Post Road. Free. (609) 799-0462.
12-8 p.m.: Sunset Sips & Sounds at Terhune
Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, music, light bites in the apple orchard. Music from 5-8 p.m by Zuko Phillips Cohn & Starr Terhuneorchards.com.
4-7 p.m.: Hearts Haven Singles Mixer at The Ivy Inn, 248 Nassau Street. $40. Benefits Housing Initiatives of Princeton. Housing initiativesofprinceton.org.
4:30 p.m.: Trenton Walks : Assunpink Greenway/Redevelopment Walk. Led by Tim Brill and Shereyl Snider. Gmtma.org/ train-happenings.
6:30 p.m.: Yellow Brick Road and All About Joel perform at Mercer County Park, West Windsor. $5 ($25 for season pass). Mercercounty.org.
6:30 p.m.: The Joe Balone Vibraphone Experience performs at Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, as part of the events leading up to the museum’s 2026 Trenton Makes Jazz exhibition. Free. Reservations encouraged by July 11. Ellarslie.org/jazz or (609) 989-1191.
8:30 p.m.: Ratatouille is screened on the Green at Palmer Square. Free. Palmersquare.com.
Saturday, July 19
9 a.m.-1 p.m.: West
Windsor Community Farmers Market, Princeton Junction train station southbound side. More than 50 local farms and vendors. Wwcfm.org.
12-5 p.m.: Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, food, farm strolls, and music from 2-5 p.m by Brian Bortnick Terhuneorchards.com.
12-5 p.m.: Grilled Cheese Weekend at Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. Olsson’s Fine Foods provides food; new sparkling wine is introduced. Live music. No cover. Unionvillevineyards.com.
4-7 p.m.: Opening reception for “See Beauty Everywhere: Art by Priscilla Snow Algava” at West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road. Free. Westwindsorarts.org.
5 p.m.: Evening Animal Chores at Howell Living History Farm , 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Free. Help feed and water the animals, collect eggs, bring in sheep from the pasture, grind corn in the barn, and more. Howellfarm.org.
8 p.m.: Fabiola Mendez performs at Pettoranello Gardens Ampitheater, Community Park North, Route 206 and Mountain Avenue, as part of the Blue Curtain series of free concerts. Blend of Afro-Caribbean roots, jazz, and classical influences. Info@bluecurtain.org.
Sunday, July 20 10 a.m.-12 p.m .: Foraging as Stewardship: Wineberries, held by Friends of Princeton Open Space at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 30 Mountain Avenue. Fopos.org.
12-5 p.m.: Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, food, farm strolls, and music from
2-5 p.m . by Jerry Steele. Terhuneorchards.com.
12-5 p.m.: Grilled Cheese Weekend at Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. Olsson’s Fine Foods provides food; new sparkling wine is introduced. Live music. No cover. Unionvillevineyards.com.
3 p.m.: “The 1966 Show,” top 40 songs performed by Einstein Alley musicians at Hinds Plaza. Rain date is July 26.
Monday, July 21
7 p.m.: Jewish Heritage Night at Trenton Thunder Baseball, Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Route 29, Trenton. The Jewish Community Center sponsors kosher food and family activities in support of the organization. Givebutter.com/jhn.
8:30 p.m.: Evening Moth Survey at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. Presented by Friends of Princeton Open Space in honor of National Moth Week. Educational presentation is followed by a walk with lights to attract moths of different species. Register at fopos.org.
Tuesday, July 22
9:30 and 11 a.m.: Read & Pick: Peaches, at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Handson farm activity followed by stories. $12 per child. Terhuneorchards.com.
10-11 a.m.: Summer Kids Club at MarketFair, 3535 U.S. Highway 1. Balloon Artistry with Master Eric, followed by story time at Barnes & Noble. Free. Marketfairshoppes.com.
8-10 p.m.: “Winged Wonders of the Night,” exploring the world of New Jersey moths at Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston. Blaine Rothauser leads a slide presentation followed by a walk to find moths. For ages 12 and up. Free but pre-registration required. Fpnl.org.
Wednesday, July 23
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens. Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one discussions about issues affecting Princeton at DeAngelo’s Italian Market, 35 Spring Street.
5-7 p.m.: July Business After Business at the Yankee Doodle Taproom, Nassau Inn, Palmer Square. Sponsored by the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber. Princetonchamber.org.
5:30-7 p.m.: July Twilight Garden Tour at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Followed by light refreshments on the porch. Morven.org.
7:30-10 p.m.: Contra dance at Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive. Paul Morris with Blue Jersey. Princetoncountry dancers.org.
Thursday, July 24
12 and 2:15 p.m.: Afternoon Tea with the Secret Tea Room at
JULY
Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Morven.org.
5:30-7:30 p.m.: Wine & Arrangements at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Reuwai Mount Hanewald leads the group in picking and arranging flowers while sipping wine in the winery. Flowers, vases, and wine tasting flights are included in the $40 cost. Terhuneorchards.com.
Friday, July 25
10:30 a.m.: Eric Carle Party at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Celebrate Carle’s books with crafts and activities. For ages 2-6 with caregiver. Princetonlibrary.org.
12-8 p.m.: Sunset Sips & Sounds at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, music, light bites in the apple orchard. Music from 5-8 p.m by Foglight Terhuneorchards.com.
1-2:30 p.m.: FOPOS Book Club : Discussion of Barbara Kingsolver’s nonfiction book Animal, Vegetable, and Miracle led by Diana Newby, faculty member of Princeton University’s Writing Program. Fopos.org. 6:30 p.m.: Best of the Eagles perform at Mercer County Park, West Windsor. $5 ($25 for season pass). Mercercounty.org.
7 p.m.: Dancing Under the Stars at Hinds Plaza or in Princeton Public Library’s Community Room if it rains. Members of Central Jersey Dance Society demonstrate basic steps and lead dancing to recorded music of all kinds. Princetonlibrary.org.
Saturday, July 26
9 a.m.-1 p.m.: West Windsor Community Farmers Market, Princeton Junction train station southbound side. More than 50 local farms and vendors. Wwcfm.org.
10 a.m.: Annual Freezing, Canning and Preserving Class at Terhune Orchards , 330 Cold Soil Road. From 12-5 p.m.: Winery Weekend Music Series: Wine, food, farm strolls, and music from 2-5 p.m by Ragtime Relics Terhuneorchards.com.
10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Mercer County 4-H Fair and Wheat Threshing at Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Free; bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger. Animal shows and exhibits, hay rides, farm tours, homemade ice cream, and more. Howellfarm.org.
2 p.m.: Westminster Choir College Summer Choral Festival presents Maurice Durufle’s Requiem Opus 9 at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street. Donald Nally conducts, with organist Eric Plutz, baritone Levi Hernandez, cellist Thomas Mesa, and percussionist Daniel Schartz. Additional motets by Durufle, Faure, SaintSaens, DeLalande, and Gombert will be performed. Free. Rider.edu.
Strive Physical Therapy At Princeton Offers Treatment For Many Conditions
Physical therapy is a proven means of helping individuals who have experienced sports injuries, accidents, post surgical issues, or chronic conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease, and other problems.
IT’S NEW To Us
Many people have been helped to regain strength, function, and mobility after a series of sessions with a licensed physical therapist.
As more people age, but who wish to continue to be active, whether in sports or other activities, the need for physical therapy increases. And it is not only for seniors. All ages, whether children breaking an ankle, middleaged “weekend warriors” overdoing tennis or soccer, or those recovering from surgery — all are benefitting from physical therapy.
Princeton is fortunate to have a number of health and wellness organizations, including physical therapy, available in the area. Strive Physical Therapy At Princeton is located in The Clock Building at 1000 Herrontown Road.
Quality of Life
As it points out in its mission statement, “Our mission is to provide the highest level of care through clinical excellence and superior customer service. Our objective is to improve the quality of life of every client and community group we have the opportunity to serve.”
A franchise operation begun 20 years ago, Strive now has 40 locations primarily in southern New Jersey. The Princeton facility opened six years ago, and there are also Strive locations nearby in West Windsor and Monroe.
The Princeton Strive doctorate level physical therapists have completed seven years of post-secondary education, and have passed the rigorous National Physical Therapy examination.
Stephanie Paluchowski PT/DPT. OCS, Cert. LSVT BIG, is clinical director of the Strive Princeton clinic. She received her physical therapy training and degrees at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, N.Y., and has served as a physical therapist for seven years. A desire to help people led to her decision to enter the field, and she is also a runner, which led her into other areas of physical therapy.
Patient-Centered Care
“I had started in running, and then thought about becoming involved in the health and wellness field. One way I believe our program at Princeton Strive is set apart from a lot of other physical therapy offices is my ability to work with full autonomy as a therapist, meaning I can treat patients as I see fit without corporate pressure. This allows for true patient-centered care.”
Her focus is one-on-one with patients, enabling her to give each person very individualized attention.
Paluchowski and the other experienced and dedicated
physical therapists at Strive Princeton treat patients needing help with a full range of orthopedic conditions, including back, knees, hips, shoulders, neck, wrists, hands, etc. They also treat those who may have suffered concussions.
“Among all the conditions, low back pain is the most common complaint,” reports Paluchowski, “but we are very busy treating all the others too. We work on range of motion, stretching, and strength, and it is primarily manual treatment, although we also have equipment, such as bikes, treadmills, and Elliptical Arc Trainers. We also have free weights, balls, and other tools.”
Sessions are one hour, and typically, depending on the condition, a patient will come two or three times a week for a month. It can be a longer time period for post surgical patients.
In addition to patients with orthopedic conditions, Paluchowski sees individuals with neurological problems, such as Parkinson’s Disease and those recovering from strokes.
Balance Issues
“I am certified LSVT BIG for Parkinson’s patients,” she explains, “and we can help to slow the progression of the disease, help improve motor function, and help patients achieve their potential for improved daily life. We can also help with balance issues and neuropathy.”
Another aspect of the practice is treating children with developmental issues. “We see children who are developmentally delayed, and those with special needs,” says Paluchowski. “This can also include children with conditions like cerebral palsy. We see children as young as three years old.”
In addition, Strive At Princeton treats those with vertigo or vestibular (inner ear) problems. As she points out, “We can help to alleviate the dizziness and symptoms with techniques and exercises, some focusing on eye movements.”
Two other conditions
Strive At Princeton treats are Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), also known as hypermobility.
“POTS is a nervous system disorder where heart rate increases above normal limits when an individual rises to an upright position. The autoimmune nervous system is not functioning properly, and symptoms can include fainting, light headedness, heart palpitations, and chronic fatigue, among others,” explains Paluchowski.
“Through a variety of gentle exercises, physical therapy can help, and the goal will be to increase cardiovascular tolerance when rising to an upright position.”
Overly Flexible
EDS is a connective tissue disorder, she points out, and hypermobility is often described as being overly flexible. In EDS, the connective tissue develops incorrectly and it can cause many issues, including “loose” joints. Symptoms may include joint dislocations, easy bruising, chronic widespread pain, poor wound healing, and excessive fatigue, among others.
“When the muscles are strong,” says Paluchowski, “it will aid in increasing the strength of the unstable joint. With physical therapy, we target the muscles with a low resistance and high repetition program to increase endurance.”
Paluchowski emphasizes the need for continuing education to keep up to date with new information. “There are always new advances and techniques. Keeping up with the latest news in the field is extremely important and
HEALTH AND WELLNESS: “One of the biggest benefits of physical therapy is helping to keep patients independent. We work on strength, function, and mobility. We provide an individualized program for each patient, and we always instruct and help people with the exercises.”
Physical therapist Stephanie Paluchowski, PT, DPT, OCS, LSVT BIG and clinical director of Strive Physical Therapy At Princeton, is shown in the Strive facility at 1000
necessary. This is a strong focus for us.”
With her interest in running, Paluchowski also offers a Running Specialty Program. “This program is cash-based, but operated through Strive,” she explains. “It’s for anyone interested in running, those who want to train seriously and for others who run for fun. We have running analysis and evaluation, prevention exercises geared to running, and training.
Another way in which Strive At Princeton is set apart from some other physical therapy operations is that it is a direct access facility. That is, patients can receive treatment without a doctor’s referral. Many patients are taking advantage of this opportunity, reports Paluchowski.
She points out that home exercises are also an important part of the physical therapy plan for every patient. They need to be willing to do their part to achieve the optimum result.
Teamwork
“We give patients exercises to do at home, and carefully explain how to do them, but people have to realize that they need to do the work.”
It’s teamwork between the physical therapist and the patient that leads to the best outcome.
Stephanie Paluchowski is glad that she has chosen physical therapy as her life’s work and that she is able to help so many people.
“I really like what I am doing! I enjoy meeting so many different kinds of people.
Patients have different backgrounds, lifestyles, and are all ages. It is rewarding for me that I can help them and make a positive difference in their health and wellbeing — and their lives. It is a great pleasure when people exceed my expectations!”
Strive Physical Therapy At Princeton is open Monday through Friday. For hours and further information, call (609) 4971000. Visit the website at: https://strivephysicaltherapy.com/location/princeton/ —Jean Stratton
well loved and well read since 1946
Herrontown Road.
S ports
Aiming to Build on Sophomore Season for PU Men’s Hoops, Hicke Playing for US 3x3 Team
at World University Games
Jackson Hicke originally was scheduled to have an internship this July.
Instead, the rising Princeton University junior men’s basketball star guard will spend the middle of the month representing the Team USA at the World University Games in Bochum, Germany. Hicke is part of the men’s 3x3 team.
“It’ll be the highlight of my summer but it did shake it up a little bit,” said Hicke. Hicke didn’t find out until last month that he had a spot on the four-man roster. He’ll join Avery Brown of Columbia, Chandler Pigge of Harvard and Nick Townsend of Yale.
“It sounds like a super cool opportunity,” said Hicke. “There was no tryout involved. They were looking around at people in the Ivy League that would be a good fit and asked once they needed me for the team.”
The brainy Ivy quartet will be trying to prove that it also is among the best at the relatively new discipline in basketball. The foursome spends 11 months of the year trying to plot to defeat each other in Ivy play, but will come together for this competition.
“It is a little funny for sure,” said Hicke. “I don’t know them personally yet. We’re on a text chain together and they seem like good guys. I’ve played
against them and we know who each other are but I haven’t really talked to any of them. It’ll be a little funny for sure to be teammates with them for 10 days and then going back to playing them twice a year and not really liking them on the court. At the end of the day, it’ll be pretty cool just to meet some of these guys from other Ivy League schools. They all seem like good dudes and can all really play. For those 10 days we’ll all be on each other’s good sides I hope.”
Hicke enjoyed a big jump in his second season of college basketball out of Radnor, Pa. After a freshman year in which he lost time due to injury, Hicke posted big improvements across the board.
“Freshman year, you’re really just adjusting to the game,” said Hicke, who totaled 20 points in 16 appearances off the bench in his debut campaign. “Everyone says it, but it is much faster and much more physical (than high school). It takes time to get used to. My sophomore year, I kind of knew what to expect and when I could get to my spots and what I could better do to help our team win, whether that be just playing better defense or cutting at the right times, just helping my teammates out. You slowly learn how the game works and when to do things that
are a benefit for the team. The game starts to slow down for you and everything becomes easier.”
His scoring average went from 1.2 to 5.5 points per game as a sophomore, his minutes per game more than doubled to 17.2 per game, he shot 82 percent from the foul line which included the gamewinning foul shots at Penn, his rebounds nearly doubled to 2.7 per game and he had three times as many assists as his first year and more than twice as many steals. He made eight starts after not starting once as a freshman.
“Experience is the biggest thing and also you know how to get your body ready,” said the 6’5, 200-pound Hicke. “I’m much stronger than I was coming in. I have a pretty serious and planned out strength program. Being more physical, more experienced and just calmer out there because I knew what to expect was honestly the biggest thing, less so skillwise.”
Hicke is hoping that the 3x3 competition will help push him to improve further. The game is fast-moving and players have to be able to be versatile to contribute in every way.
“I think it’ll be good for my development,” said Hicke. “A lot of these countries are going to bring good players and playing 3v3, you’re making quick reads and you have the ball in games a lot
because there are only three players on the court. And I think it’ll be great for me defensively because you have to be in really good shape. There’s no real checking it up. Once you score you can grab it out of the rim and the other team has the ball. So it’s go, go, go for 10 minutes, which I think will be great for me. I’m sure there will be some skilled and pretty physical players. There’s tough, high level competition really anywhere so having a set-up where they’re bringing in great players to play against I think will be great for me.”
Pool play at the event will take place on July 17 and 18. Play-in games and quarterfinals are slated for July 19 with the semifinals and finals set for July 20. Hicke believes he has the tools to help the U.S. squad make a deep run.
“I can make 3s pretty quick and cut and I know how to play off two-man action or three-man action, whether that’s off on-ball screen action or normal ball screen,” said Hicke. “I know where I should be in the space of the floor for 3 on 3 and when to cut at the right time to make it easier on my teammates. We do it in practice pretty much every day and our offense is based around it. I think it’ll be a little different because it won’t be our offense. I have a pretty good understanding of where I’m trying to pass to and where I’m trying to
get my teammates the ball.”
Hicke doesn’t have extensive 3x3 experience, but Princeton’s offensive strategies and practice reps give him a great base. He’s heard glowing reviews of the 3x3 game from Princeton teammates Caden Pierce and Dalen Davis, who were part of the 2024 USA Basketball 3x3 Men’s Nations League Team. And he’s been watching as much 3x3 action online as he can find.
“What I’ve seen so far is you have to be in great shape,” said Hicke. “It looks very tiring. The biggest thing is getting easy looks. It’s obvious, but the teams getting wide open layups now and then and the good looks at 3s do best. Threes are very important because it’s 2s and 1s so 3s are more valuable.
The teams that are moving the ball and making quick reads – the shot clock is only 12 seconds so you only have one or two reads to go to – so the teams that are efficient and getting good looks seem to be the ones that over time will wear you down as the easy points add up.”
Hicke and his new teammates got a crash course in 3x3 at a training camp in Cincinnati on July 12. Three days later, they were scheduled to fly to Germany.
“They are bringing people in,” said Hicke. “I would assume they’re bringing in four people and we’ll work our chemistry and play against them and have live
reps. I honestly don’t know what training camp will entail so I’m looking forward to it.”
He’s most looking forward to the trip overseas and the experience there. Hicke was born in London and lived there until he was 7. But Germany wasn’t a country he visited then. He’ll be there with teams and sports from all over the world in a sort of mini-Olympics setting.
“Going abroad and going to Europe/Germany will be a really cool cultural experience,” said Hicke. “There are so many different people from so many different countries. It’s also cool that there’s a lot of different sports involved. I’m excited to go watch some of the other stuff like tennis or the other different sports. It’ll be a really cool event. And then just to play at a high level, 3-on-3 seems like a cool game, but I’m not as familiar with it.”
Hicke will see some of the best competition in the world at the university level. It’s an experience that should only help him as he looks to step into a larger role for a Princeton team that figures to look different after the graduation of Blake Peters, the transfers of Xaivian Lee and Jack Scott and the decision of Pierce to take a redshirt season this winter so he can play his final year of college eligibility at another school in 2026-27.
“I’m super excited for next year,” said Hicke. “There are a lot of changes but I’m excited for what we bring back and also the new freshmen that are coming in. I think we’re going to be connected and a good group. Me personally I’m trying to become a little better of a 3-point shooter so I’m continuing just working on that, and then working on being a little bit more of a guard so working on ballhandling and perimeter defense. Nothing too crazy, just trying to keep building.”
While playing in the University Games disrupted a planned internship, the opportunity to compete there for Team USA was something Hicke couldn’t pass up.
“It’s going to be a great experience and pretty good for my development,” said Hicke. “I just love playing basketball so it’ll be great doing that.”
–Justin Feil
WORLD STAGE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Jackson Hicke puts up a jump shot in a game last winter. Rising junior guard Hicke, who averaged 5.5 points and 2.7 rebounds a game last season, will be playing for the U.S. men’s 3x3 team in the upcoming World University Games in Bochum, Germany. The event is slated to go from July 16-27 with the 3x3 hoops competition taking place from July 17-20.
(Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)
In Latest Move in a Turbulent Offseason for PU Men’s Hoops, Senior
Pierce Taking Redshirt to Play Final Campaign Elsewhere
Adding another startling chapter to a turbulent offseason tale for the Princeton University men’s basketball program, rising senior star forward Caden Pierce announced last week that he will be taking a redshirt this winter, thereby forgoing his final season with the Tigers.
Instead, Pierce, the 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and the 2024 Ivy Player of the Year, will finish his studies at Princeton and enter the transfer portal in order to play his last college campaign season at another school in 2026-27 where he can get substantial NIL (name, image and likeness) compensation.
Pierce’s decision is the latest in the series of unsettling moves around the program since the end of the disappointing 2024-25 campaign with associate head coach Brett McConnell and assistant coach Lawrence Rowley getting dismissed, All-Ivy guard Xaivian Lee transfer ring to Florida for a reported
$6 million NIL and shoe deal, and reserve guard Jack Scott transferring to Duke.
Under head coach Mitch Henderson, the Tigers went 19-11 overall and 8-6 Ivy last winter but struggled down the stretch as they lost four of their last seven regular season games and then got edged by Yale in the Ivy semis to end their campaign.
In announcing his plan, Pierce told ESPN that while Princeton means a lot to him, the changes in the program and in the world of college basketball played a key part in his thinking.
“This decision is nothing against Princeton,” said Pierce in an interview with ESPN. “Princeton is forever my home, the school that believed in me coming out of high school. Everything we accomplished is far more than I could have ever imagined. What went into the decision: some of my teammates were leaving, two of our assistant
obviously the current landscape of college basketball is always sitting in the back of your mind. Those things kind of guided my decision.”
According to ESPN, Pierce, who is represented by Priority Sports, plans to enter the portal as soon as he is able to in the fall in order to give himself a comfortable timeline for his recruitment.
Over the course of his Princeton career, Pierce, a 6’7, 220-pound native of Glen Ellyn, Ill. tallied 1,069 points and 710 rebounds in 90 games. As a freshman, he averaged 8.2 points and 7.2 rebounds a game to help Princeton win the Ivy League Tournament and make a historic run to the NCAA Sweet 16. A year later, he averaged 16.6 points and 9.2 rebounds on the way to earning Ivy Player of the Year honors as the Tigers made the NIT.
Last winter, Pierce was hampered by an ankle injury but still managed to average 11.2 rebounds and 7.2 rebounds in earning secondteam All-Ivy honors.
Former PU Women’s Rower Collins Wins Henley Regatta Championship
Former Princeton University women’s open rowing star Claire Collins ’19 won the Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup earlier this month at the Henley Royal Regatta on the Thames River in Henley-on-Thames, west of London, England.
Collins won the double final with fellow American Madeleine Wanamaker over Ivana and Josipa Jurkovic of Croatia by 4 and half lengths, recording a time of 7:57 over the 2,112-meter course.
Collins and Wanamaker easily took care of business in their first race on Thursday, posting an 8:26 before collecting a victory on Friday by 3 3/4th lengths (8:29).
The former Tiger has had an impressive career on the international stage. Over the past few years, she has earned fifth place with the United States in the eighth at the 2024 Olympics while earning a bronze in the eight at the 2024 World Rowing Cup II and a gold in the women’s four at the same race in 2023.
Collins was a four-time All-Ivy honoree and threetime All-American at Princeton. She finished her senior year with the Von Kienbusch Award and was nominated for NCAA’s Woman of the Year honor. Collins helped the program win four straight Ivy titles.
PU Men’s Rowers Bell, Chute Take 2nd in Henley Regatta Final Princeton University men’s heavyweight rowers Theo Bell ’26 and Marcus Chute ’26 took second in the Silver Goblet final at the Henley Royal Regatta earlier this
month Henley Royal Regatta on the Thames River in Henley-on-Thames, west of London, England.
The Tiger pair beat the Spanish national team’s pair of Jaime Canalejo Pazos and Javier Garcia Ordoñez in the semis to earn a spot in the final. Bell and Chute had to come from behind to win, after trailing their opponents slightly at the Barrier, they came through to take the lead by Fawley and stretched their lead out to two-and-ahalf lengths by the finish.
In the final, Bell and Chute lost by one length to the pair of Ralf Rienks and Rik Rienks from the Netherlands who posted a winning time of 7:19 over the 2,112-meter course.
Several Princeton Rowers To Compete in U-23 Worlds
Several Princeton University rowing standouts will be competing at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships from July 23-27 in Poznan, Poland, Tiger men’s heavyweights
Kain Aminian ’27 and Andrew Wilkinson ’26 will be rowing in the U.S U-23 eight.
Fellow heavyweights
Theo Bell ’26, Marcus Chute ’26, Tristan Wenger ’28, Alex Perkins ’28 and Connor Bohlmann ’27 will also be competing inthe regatta. Bell, Chute, Wenger, Perkins will represent Great Britain while Bohlmann will rowing for Canada.
In addition, a trio of heavyweight standouts, Ed Nutt ‘27, Dan Cashman ’28 and Matt Cashman ’28, will be representing Australia at the championships.
As for the Princeton women’s crew program, Tiger open rowers Joely Cherniss ’28 and Ellie Smith ’27 made the U.S. team. Cherniss will row in eight while Smith will row in the four.
Phaedra van der Molen ’26 will row for the Neth -
erlands double sculls while Michaela Ulicna ’29 will row for the Czech Republic eight while Olivia Cheesmur ’29 will row for the Great Britain quadruple sculls.
PU Men’s Golfer Fantinelli Helps Italy Win European Team Title Princeton University men’s golf rising senior star Riccardo Fantinelli and Team Italy made Italian golf history last weekend as they earned the country’s second-ever European Amateur Team Championship after coming from the No. 4 seed in Match Play to win three matches and lift the trophy at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in Ireland. Fantinelli secured a point for the Italians in the championship match as they downed Denmark, 6.5-0.5 on July 12. He defeated Mads Heller, 2&1 in the No. 1 singles match to put a point on the board en route to the win.
Currently the No. 191 ranked amateur men’s golfer in the world, Fantinelli was tied for third in the tworound individual portion of the event which determined seeding for the team portion. He was shot 134 over the two rounds to finish at -10, carding a second-round 65 (-7) to shoot up the leaderboard and help make sure Team Italy advanced through to Flight A.
In the quarterfinals, Fantinelli rebounded after a 2&1 loss in foursomes to open the match with France to pick up a half point via a halve against Hugo le Goff who is currently ranked No. 56 in the world.
In the semifinals, Fantinelli defeated England’s Tyler Weaver, 1 Up, as Italy knocked off the No. 1 seed, 5.5-1.5. Fantinelli’s win came over an opponent in Weaver who had topped the individual leaderboard at 132 (-12) as England set a tournament-record at -44 in qualifying.
HOOPS HIATUS: Caden Pierce dribbles upcourt in a game last winter for the Princeton University men’s basketball team. Rising senior star forward Pierce announced last week that he will be taking a redshirt this winter, thereby forgoing his final campaign with the Tigers. Pierce, the 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and the 2024 Ivy Player of the Year, will finish his studies at Princeton and enter the transfer portal in order to play his final college season at another school in 2026-27.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
–Bill Alden
Wrapping Up Historic Career for Pomona-Pitzer Lax, PHS Alumna Henderson Set Career Scoring Records
Although Shoshi Henderson was hampered by a nagging hip injury this spring, that didn’t keep her from setting more records as she wrapped up an historic career with the Pomona-Pitzer College women’s lacrosse team.
Former Princeton High standout Henderson ended her college career with program records in points (384) and assists (272).
But as star attacker Henderson tallied 30 goals and 54 assists this spring to set those standards and help the Sagehens go 18-3 and reach the NCAA Division III Round of 16, it was a struggle.
“I had a little bit of a hip injury; being in pain when running made things a little bit harder and a little less fun,” said Henderson.“In the midseason you are in a grind of having just so many games. I was able to get my hip to be playable. This is the first year I had a real injury. I never missed a game but I missed weeks of practices. I would be doing very little and then I would play in a game. Having to adjust that way was hard. I definitely needed to be mentally tougher.”
Pomona-Pitzer got off to a fun start this spring, winning its first nine games.
“We normally start with the first half of SCIAC (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) games which helps us get in the groove and figure out out offense,” said Henderson. “I think our offense always takes a little bit more time than our defense to really click. We are always good but it is always something that just needs a little bit more time. We had a freshman starting with us and she was amazing. We had a lot of new middie lines this year so there was much more rotating.”
Henderson started taking draw controls to help jump
start the Sagehen offense.
“I actually ended up doing the draw, I am most proud of my draw controls,” said Henderson, who had 18 draw controls this season and scooped up 37 ground balls. “A couple of games into the season my coach (Sarah Queener) decided that I needed to be taking the draw again. She said, ‘I know you did this senior year of high school, you are going to do it again.’ For a week, she trained me every day after practice and I would work on it. That honestly was so much fun and a great way of getting out of my head and having a new focus.”
A 13-8 loss to Colorado College in late March turned out to a be a low point of the season for Pomona-Pitzer.
“We were in Colorado; it was the third day after back-to-back games there and we were all dealing with the altitude which is apparently worse after the third day,” said Henderson. “Everyone had a collective falling apart, there was no one wrong thing that happened that game. It was like every single part of the field was not clicking. The ball bounced in the wrong direction every time, sometimes quite literally into their sticks. It was just not our game which really hurt because we had never lost to them.”
Engaging in some soulsearching, the Sagehens bounced back from that setback and reeled off another nine-game winning streak.
“After that game, we really locked in with our coaches but also as captains,” said Henderson. “The five of us captains really wanted to assert the tone of our team and be like, hey we have some really high goals for our team and we have some big expectations for this team. We have been here for four years and we are used to winning a lot. We all need
to just put a little more effort in outside of practice, doing stickwork and wall ball. It was shifting the focus and let’s just focus on ourselves and get as good as we can possibly get and we can go really far.”
Displaying that focus, Pomona-Pitzer edged Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges 15-12 in the SCIAC championship game in early May to earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tourney,
“It was really exciting, that was a great game,” said Henderson, who tallied two goals and two assists in the win. “We just played really well from the start. That was going to be the fourth straight SCIAC win for the seniors, the five of us, and we said are not losing this game. We never lost to CMS, we were not going to lose then. They are our big rival. We had a lot of big games from a lot of people. I had two goals in that game and both of them were some of my favorites that I have scored. That was a really, really fun game. It was intense but we had our foot on the gas the whole game.”
In the second round of the NCAA tournament, the Sagehens got a rematch with Colorado College and took advantage of their second chance against the Tigers, rolling to a 23-10 win.
“We were so fired up because this is when it mattered, we were a little shocked that they sent them to us in the first round,” said Henderson, who chipped in three goals in the victory. “It was 100 or something degrees, this time we had the weather on our side. I think we knew if we set the tone early, they were just going to kind of fall apart, they were going to be tired. We just kind of dominated in the second half (outscoring Colorado College 12-2). We were so happy, we had so much energy.”
Facing eventual national runner-up Tufts in the Round of 16, Pomona-Pitzer fell 16-8 to end the spring with an 18-3 record.
“I thought we could win, I always have hope, there is no reason you can’t have an upset,” said Henderson, who had one goal and one assist in her college finale. “They are really, really good. Once we kind of realized that this was going to be our last game, it just became I want to play and have so much fun and I had so much fun. It was a bittersweet way to go but that is who we lost to my freshman year so it is kind of full circle.”
With the game taking place the same day as the school’s graduation ceremony, Henderson and her fellow seniors had fun after the game as the team celebrated its Class of ’25 on the road.
“One of our freshmen is from Boston and she hosted all of us,” said Henderson. “Our parents and teammates made a huge graduation for us and it was really special. It was a really sweet way to end and it made it not so sad.”
For Henderson, setting the program offensive records was a huge achievement.
“It is pretty special, I have a little bit of a legacy that I get to leave behind,” said Henderson. “It was something that I always had my eye on after my freshman year when I set some of the other records (scoring 132 points on 42 goals and 90 assists). I was like wow, that is attainable if I keep going so it was always something I had in the back of my mind. It is really special to me because of how much the team means to me and how much time and effort I put in. To have not just the team accolades but having those individual records is special and just fun to have.”
In reflecting on her career accomplishments, Henderson acknowledged that she couldn’t do it alone, crediting fellow senior stars Fiona Lewis (255 goals) and Sydney Landauer (382 points) with playing a major role in her success.
“I also did so with Fiona and Sydney, the two other attackers, we all left our mark,” said Henderson. “I had so much fun playing with them. None of my records would have stood without them. The two of them really made that easy for me. I think Sydney ended up second in points and Fiona had so many goals. The three of us are cemented in that record book.”
Henderson also had fun shouldering more responsibility this spring as a team captain.
“I took a leadership class in the fall because it was something I was interested in and it really made me learn about all of these leadership frameworks and theories,” said Henderson. “It was not necessarily like sports leadership but it definitely fit. That really helped me think about what kind of a framework of a leader I wanted to be in the spring for our team. Leading by
ex ample is something I really feel is important. If people see all of the effort I put into it, they are more likely to do it. It is also just being genuine and wanting to help. I got close with a lot of the freshmen. It is always fun to have underclassmen to take under your wing.”
In reflecting on her Pomona-Pitzer experience, Henderson sees getting close with her coaches and teammates as a major highlight.
“The lacrosse team was the most special team I have ever been a part of, there was such a positive environment,” said Henderson. “The coaches were so supportive, they were people I could go to any time, even now as a graduate. I am really close with my coaches. I am now in the alumni network with the past lacrosse people. There is always that connection.”
Henderson is proud of helping the Sagehen lacrosse program reach new heights during her time there.
“I came in as a freshman and we were unranked as a team and my goal was to get us ranked and we did,” said Henderson who is joining another team this summer as she will be working for Unilever in Hoboken in its Future Leaders Program.
“At the end of my freshman year we had cracked the top 25. After my junior year, we were in the top 10. I think the highest ranking we ended up with was eighth. That is definitely something I am most proud of, getting this team on the map. I think we earned our respect as a west coast team. It is only going to go up from there because the recruits are getting better and better each year.”
It will be hard, though, for any of those recruits to match what Henderson achieved over the last four years at Pomona-Pitzer.
–Bill Alden
a Princeton tradition!
FINAL SHO: Shoshi Henderson heads to goal during her career with the Pomona-Pitzer College women’s lacrosse team. Former Princeton High standout Henderson ended her career setting program records in points (384) and assists (272). In her senior campaign, attacker Henderson tallied 30 goals and 54 assists to help the Sagehens go 18-3 and reach the NCAA Division III Round of 16. (Photo provided courtesy of Pomona-Pitzer Athletics)
Emerging as a Key Feeder for Fairfield Women’s Lax, PDS
Grad Caputo Produced a Stellar Debut Campaign
Tessa Caputo got off to a rocky start as she made her debut this February for the Fairfield University women’s lacrosse team.
“The first ball thrown to me in my first game at UConn went straight at my feet and bounced out of bounds,” said former Princeton Day School star Caputo. “I was like that was my first play as a freshman.”
Caputo, though, bounced back from that shaky moment to produce a stellar debut campaign, tallying five goals and 22 assists to help Fairfield win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament and go 11-8.
While Caputo eventually excelled, she acknowledged it was a fight to get on the field.
“It is obviously a huge jump from a school like PDS to playing at Division I level,” said Caputo, who graduated as the Panther program’s all-time leader in points (435), goals (270) and assists (165).
“At PDS, I was very lucky to always have the opportunity to play and prove myself. The biggest change was having to work so hard for something. As a freshman, it is not easy to go in and get the chance to play. That was one of the hardest but one of the best parts of freshman year - having to work hard and fight for that chance to get an opportunity to prove myself.”
Caputo proved herself early on, getting an assist against UConn in the opener and then scoring her first college goal against Hofstra in the second game of the season.
“It was great, it was just an awesome feeling,” said Caputo, reflecting on getting on the scoresheet. “I had worked so hard for it. To see that finally happening and realize what I am working for is finally paying off that was the biggest thing. It was awesome to be surrounded by teammates like that and them supporting me was great. I felt a lot of pressure being out there. I made a lot of mistakes too so it was nice to see some good moments.”
In April, Caputo enjoyed some really good moments as she tallied one goal and three assists in a 20-9 win over Canisius on April 9 and then had four assists in a 13-7 win over Sacred Heart in April 16.
“Most of my role was as an assister; I was playing at X,” said Caputo. “It is definitely hard being a feeder. I had to learn where everyone wants the ball. It was definitely a difficult role. It took a lot because it is hard to make the perfect feed. As I got to make those connections with my teammates, I started to know that this person wants the feed at her face or this person wants it five feet above her head. As the season got going, I felt a lot more comfortable to make those throws. In the beginning of the season, I was just a scared, little freshman thinking should I throw, should I not.”
The Fairfield team got into a comfort zone collectively down the stretch, winning
its last four regular season games after a 10-7 loss to Mount St. Mary’s on April 5.
“I think midway through the season we just kind of all realized that we don’t want to just continue to lose for the rest of this and this isn’t how we want our season to go,” said Caputo. “We needed to start to work a little harder and we focused a lot on the fundamentals and doing what we do well. I think that was a huge thing, just focusing on small things and controlling what we can. It just made a huge difference when it came to conference play.”
Heading into the MAAC semi against Siena, Caputo got a pep talk from her older brother, Cal, a former PDS and Williams College lax standout, that helped calm her nerves.
“Cal called me before the game and he said this is a great opportunity; you are a freshman so just go ball out,” said Caputo, who tallied a goal and a career-best five assists to help the Stags prevail 16-12. “Getting in the game, I had a few mistakes in the start. I had a couple of teammates come up to me and they said take a deep breath with me and tell me that it is all alright and we have got this. Let’s do this together. That helped me so much and then I went out and had a great game.”
In the MAAC final, Caputo chipped in one and two assists to help Fairfield defeat Iona 12-7 and earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
“That was great; I remember being a high school junior and watching Fairfield win it,” said Caputo. “That was something where I really hope I can do this one day. They didn’t win it last year. It wasn’t a given that we were going to win it this year. To go out and fight for that against Iona, who was a great team, that was a huge experience.”
Facing traditional powerhouse Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Stags fell 16-7 but Caputo relished the matchup.
“When we found out we were playing Maryland, I just thought of little me who was obsessed with Taylor Cummings,” said Caputo, referring to the former Maryland standout and a three-time winner of the Tewaaraton Award given to the top college players. “They were the coolest thing. I know this is going to be a really tough game. We are playing at College Park; it is an amazing experience that people dream of. You can’t do anything about the outcome. They are a great team. We had fun playing.”
In assessing her debut season, Caputo saw it as a great learning experience.
“In high school, I was a big feeder but I grew into that role a lot more because that is what the team really needed this year,” said Caputo. “I think that was a big adjustment, learning all of the aspects of that and learning how to fit in as a freshman and fit into that role. The season was just a great experience and I wouldn’t necessarily change anything
about it. There was going to be a lot of downsides and I think that made the good so much better.”
Reuniting with former PDS teammate and close friend Paige Gardner, a sophomore attacker/midfielder for the Stags, helped Caputo deal with the ups and downs of being a college freshman.
“We had such a great con nection in high school, she is one of my best friends off the field,” said Caputo. “Go ing to college is never easy and to have someone who feels like that huge sense of home to you was great. Paige and I could always talk to each other. She is always someone I can go to. We have more of a sister relationship. She is someone who I can be so honest with and always have the best conversations with. Hav ing one hometown friend at college is good and the re lationship we have is a great one. It was nice to have each other to lean on when we needed each other.”
In addition, Caputo leaned on Princeton High alumna and Fairfield grad student defender Eva Petrone this spring.
“I always knew of Eva and when she found out that I committed to Fairfield, she was always so sweet to me at camps and everything,” said Caputo. “She is hilarious, she is such a great person to have on a team, always boosting the morale and everything. She was supportive when I was going through stuff. She knew what place I was in and would offer words of encouragement and pick me up after a bad day which was always so appreciated.”
This summer, Caputo is going through a rigorous program as she looks to build on her freshman season.
“It is definitely lots and lots of conditioning,” said Caputo.
“Lifting and conditioning is definitely a huge part of it and that goes into every small detail of lacrosse. It is also a lot of dodging and shooting and always stickwork. I have been coaching Ultimate Lacrosse and I have been doing some private lessons.”
Heading into her second college campaign, Caputo is looking to lift her game to take a bigger role in the Fairfield attack.
“I just want to have a big presence and take what I learned from last year and really build that confidence and have a great sophomore season,” said Caputo. “I want to shake off the bad things from last year and just really be able to make an impact on the team.”
–Bill Alden
FAIR FIGHT: Tessa Caputo looks to unload the ball in a game this spring in her freshman season for the Fairfield University women’s lacrosse team. Former Princeton Day School star Caputo produced a stellar debut campaign for the Stags, tallying five goals and 22 assists to help Fairfield win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament and go 11-8.
(Photo by Christine Kozak, provided courtesy of Fairfield Athletics)
Obituaries
Erik VanMarcke
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Erik VanMarcke, who died on July 7.
Erik was born in 1941 in Menen, Belgium. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Leuven and a doctorate in Civil Engineering from MIT in 1970. He joined the MIT faculty soon after and, in 1985, moved to Princeton, where he served as Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering until his retirement in 2013.
Erik was a pioneering scholar in the fields of random fields, structural reliability, and risk assessment. His landmark book Random Fields: Analysis and Synthesis is foundational to probabilistic approaches across scientific and engineering disciplines. The ideas and methods Erik developed in this work have been widely applied in earthquake engineering, wind engineering, and coastal engineering. His influential research earned him numerous honors, including the Alfred M. Freudenthal Medal, the Raymond C. Reese and Walter L. Huber Research Prizes of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Distinguished Probabilistic
Methods Educator Award of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and election to the Royal Academies for Science and the Arts of Belgium.
Erik’s deep curiosity led him to explore a remarkably broad and diverse range of research areas. He extended the application of his theory of random fields to cosmology; his great enthusiasm for the topic led to his most recent book Quantum Origins of Cosmic Structure and continued research throughout the latter part of his career and through his retirement.
Son of the late Louis E. and Rachel (VanHollebeke) Vanmarcke, he is survived by his wife Lynne Durkee; three children and their spouses Lieven and Manisha VanMarcke, Anneke and Edward Forzani, Kristien and Damon Webber; eight grandchildren Thomas, Joseph, William, Christopher, Dax, Ian, Jayson and Anya, three stepdaughters; five sisters Frieda Vanmarcke-Van Belle, Rosa Vanmarcke-Gilissen, Hilde Vanmarcke-Schoonjans, Christa Vanmarcke-Verhaeghe and Gerda VanmarckeCauwenberghs and their families.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on July 18,
2025 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.
A Visitation will be held 6-9 p.m. on July 17, 2025 at the funeral home.
A Princeton University departmental gathering to commemorate Erik will be held at the end of August. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Institute for Advanced Study.
Jean “Jeannie”
Harwood Davidson
Jean “Jeannie” Harwood Davidson, 88, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025, in Wayland, MA.
Jean was born in Brooklyn, NY, the second daughter of Melbourne “Mel” Kimbel Harwood and Ruth Cherrington Harwood. She grew up in Merrick, NY, and attended W. C. Mepham High School in Bellmore, NY. After graduation, she studied at the State University Teachers College in Potsdam, NY, and at the Katharine Gibbs School, the New York School of Interior Design, and the French Fashion Academy, all in New York City. In 1958, Jean took a break from her studies to travel to Europe on the R.M.S. Queen Mary She went with her sister Joan, after they saved and paid for the trip themselves.
Jean married Richard “Dick” M. Davidson at Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan on October 24, 1964. Their son William was born in 1968. The couple and William moved to Garden City, NY, in 1969. Their daughter Susan was born soon after.
remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and loved visiting their imaginary restaurant Banana Peels for bottomless cups of coffee, which happened to be one of her favorite drinks.
Late in life, Jean became a fan of golf, which she enjoyed watching with her husband, Dick. After Dick passed away, she continued to watch golf because doing so reminded her of him.
Jean is predeceased by her parents Mel and Ruth, her sister Joan Harwood Beckmann, and her husband Dick. She is survived by her brother Melbourne Kimbel Harwood, Jr. and his wife Kathleen Harwood; her son William Spencer Davidson and his wife Michelle QuinnDavidson; and her daughter Susan Davidson Serreze, her husband Peter Serreze, and their children Wesley and Sara Serreze.
Jean opened Jean Harwood Davidson Interior Design and Decoration in 1974 in Garden City, NY, and moved it to Princeton, NJ, in 1978. Jean’s work was featured in numerous Princeton designer showhouses in the 1980s through the Junior League of Central Delaware Valley and was published in House Beautiful and Family Circle magazines.
Before she launched her interior design career, Jean held administrative positions in New York City at J. Walter Thompson, Jacques Bodart and Bodart Furniture, The American Home magazine, and Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s office.
Jean engaged in fundraising activities for Twigs of Nassau Hospital and Garden City Nursery School. She enjoyed gardening, maintaining her beloved home in Princeton, and entertaining family and friends, particularly hosting the annual family Thanksgiving. She loved animals and had cats as pets for most of her life. A poodle named Dolly was her first “child.”
Jean was praised for her elegance, exceptional taste, and hard work. She will be
Dorothy E. Pennino
Dorothy E. Pennino, 88, of Princeton passed away on July 2, 2025, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.
She was born in Philadelphia, PA. She worked most of her life as a high school teacher, and she loved her calling to teach literature to the younger generations. When she retired, she decided to get her Ph.D., which she did at George Washington University in the Department of American Studies. For over 10 years, she has been a member of the All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
Predeceased by her husband Joseph Pennino, parents Walter Henry and Dorothy Katherine (Dingler) Deisinger.
Dorothy is survived by her son, Anthony Paul Pennino, and a brother and sister-inlaw Bruce and Darlene Deisinger.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Princeton.
Arrangements are under the direction of The MatherHodge Funeral Home.
A virtual celebration of Jean’s life will take place later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the ASPCA or the Hearing Health Foundation. TOWN TOPICS is
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