Town Topics Newspaper, June 25, 2025 by Witherspoon Media Group

Hammerstein Museum

Marks His Birthday in Song .

Momos Opt to Sell Building To Local Investor 8

Community Can Experience PU Summer Pre-Read . 9

On George Orwell’s Birthday: Bringing 1984 To Life 13

Princeton Festival Pays Tribute to Baroque Era . . . . . 14

PHS Track Star Wilton, Tiger Girls’ Lax Standout

Bornstein Are the Pick As Town Topics’ Leading Spring Performers 24

With PHS Star Hamerschlag Providing

A Spark, Princeton Post 218 Baseball Making Progress 27

Prosecutor Dismisses Charges Against Princeton University Pro-Palestinian Protesters

The Princeton Municipal Court has dropped defiant trespass charges against pro-Palestinian Princeton student protesters under the condition that the students perform at least six hours of community service and write a letter of apology.

On June 17, after about 14 months of legal proceedings, Prosecutor Christopher Koutsouris made a motion in Princeton Court to dismiss the charges that the 13 — five Princeton University undergraduates, six graduate students, one postdoctoral researcher, and one Princeton Theological Seminary student — had faced since their April 29, 2024 arrest at a sit-in at the University’s Clio Hall.

Calling for the University’s divestment from companies with ties to the Israeli military as part of a demonstration that took up residence in the University’s McCosh Courtyard and then Cannon Green for a total of about two weeks, the 13 students occupied University administrative offices at Clio Hall for less than two hours on the afternoon of their arrest.

In their apology to the staff working in Clio Hall, the students said that they had been acting on a long-standing tradition of protest. Judge John McCarthy III requested that they submit a revised letter of apology that did not sound like a “political manifesto with references to our constitutional rights.” Once the revised letter was received, the judge said, the dismissal would be granted “with prejudice,” meaning the case cannot be retried. Also, the students’ records will be expunged, the judge added.

The original letter, which the students read aloud in court, stated, “In the course of proceedings before this court as a result of our arrest, it has been brought to our attention that our sit-in caused undue and unintended emotional harm to the staff of Clio Hall. We write this letter to extend our apologies to the staff of Clio Hall for any anxiety and stress caused by our acts of protest against the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza.”

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), expressed his approval of the judge’s decision. “CAIR-New Jersey applauds the court’s decision to drop the charges against these students, who were

Continued on Page 7

Town Tackles Next Round of Affordable Housing

Princeton’s proposed plan for its fourth round of affordable housing is the topic of two special sessions being held this week.

A public hearing is scheduled for the Planning Board on Wednesday, June 25 at 7 p.m., when the draft plan is expected to be adopted. Princeton Council may endorse the plan at a special meeting on Thursday, June 26 at 4 p.m. The deadline for submission to Fair Share Housing is June 30.

Princeton has an obligation to provide 276 units in the next 10 years. The 13 sites proposed in the plan, which are located both in the former Borough and Township, are generally within walking distance of amenities.

Three of the sites are 100 percent affordable developments owned by the municipality. At the former firehouse on Chestnut Street, 16 units have been designated and will be built and managed by Princeton Community Housing (PCH), including a ground floor community room that will showcase the firehouse’s history. The plan also designates PCH to build and manage 35 rental units at 303 John Street, in multiple buildings. The former Harrison Street firehouse will have 34 units.

Sites that have 20 percent affordable

units range from 19 on land at The Jewish Center of Princeton at 435 Nassau Street to 191 at the mostly vacant Princeton Executive Center (Niksun) at 457 Harrison Street. In between, there are 14 properties on Witherspoon Street that are part of a 69-unit project being proposed by Hillier Architecture. Five other units on Witherspoon Street are in a vacant office building in front of Princeton Cemetery. Also included in the plan for 20 percent affordable units are 26 at 360-366

North Harrison Street, 18 at 245-247 Nassau Street (across from Hoagie Haven), eight at 40-42 North Tulane Street and 32 Spring Street (the former home of Kopp’s Cycles), eight at 86-88 and 92-94 Spruce Street, 16 at 11-33 State Road and 60 Mount Lucas Road, 17 at 29 Thanet Circle, and 40 at 457 North Harrison Street (Princeton Executive Center).

Details on each of these sites are in the 437-page document available on the municipal website (princetonnj.gov).

Local Solar Energy Program Gets Nod From Council at Monday Meeting

A resolution regarding Princeton’s Community Solar Renewable Energy program and an update on concept plans for Community Park South were the focus of Princeton Council’s meeting on Monday evening, June 23.

Council voted to approve a resolution authorizing an agreement with the company Solar Landscape to implement a successful Community Solar Energy Program in Princeton. As explained by Christine Symington, executive director of Sustainable Princeton, the program allows lowand-moderate-income (LMI) households who otherwise would not be able to afford solar energy to take advantage of it

by being enrolled in a municipally sponsored, 100 percent LMI community solar program.

The program is put in place via the installation of a solar array in places such as warehouse rooftops, landfills, or carports. Subscribers see a savings on their utility bills.

Gabel Associates, the consultant for the initiative, will help the town with implementation.

“We will work with them and the town, Princeton Housing Authority, Princeton Community Housing, and other organizations to do an extensive outreach

CREATIVITY AT CICLOVIA: A youth draws a chalk bicycle in the Westminster campus parking lot, which was a car-free zone for Princeton Ciclovia on Sunday morning. The event had to wrap up early due to inclement weather. (Photo by Sarah Teo)

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! Are you ready to start your kitchen or bath project?

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,

CELEBRATING WITHERSPOON-JACKSON:

Gregory S. Smith’s Reflections from a Vibrant Past, Volume I and the launch of Volume II , both collections of poetry inspired by the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood and its people. In addition, The Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood: How One Community

the

Changed Princeton, a new publication by Arts Council Executive Director Adam Welch, was introduced for the first time. All proceeds from Welch’s book support the ACP, the Historical Society of Princeton, and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society.

The event was a celebration of the WitherspoonJackson neighborhood, Princeton’s 20th Historic District. The Special guest was U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, whose remarks were

followed by readings by Smith. This was followed by an open mic session in which performers shared their own spoken word pieces and poems inspired by the spirit of the Witherspoon-Jackson community, or its residents — past, present, or future.

well loved and well read since 1946

Topics In Brief A Community Bulletin

Cooling Centers : On Wednesday, those needing relief from the heat can go to the main conference room at Monument Hall, 1 Monument Drive, through 5 p.m.; at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, through 6 p.m.; and at the Center for Modern Aging Princeton, 45 Stockton Street and 101 Poor Farm Road, through 5 p.m. Know Your Rights Training: At Princeton Quaker Meeting, 470 Quaker Road, on Sunday, June 29 at 1:15 p.m. Free interactive workshop by a trainer from Resistencia en Accion NJ, who is also an organizer of the ICE Out of Princeton campaign

Discussions on Federal Cuts: Isles is holding these events on Monday, June 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Social Profit Center at Mill One, 1 North Johnston Avenue, Hamilton (and via Zoom); and on Tuesday, July 1 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 50 Cherry Hill Road RSVP required. Email events@isles.org.

Directed Enforcement Streets : The Princeton Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau and Patrol Bureau is strictly enforcing motor vehicle laws on Mercer Street (speeding), Chestnut and Spruce streets (speeding/stop sign), Jefferson Road (speeding), and the Central Business District (bikes/scooters prohibited) through the end of June. There is an increased police presence on these streets.

Leighton Listens: Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on June 25 in the outside seating area of McCaffrey’s Market, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street.

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.

Sustainable Princeton “Lending Library” : Sustainable Princeton offers residents and nonprofits in Princeton the opportunity to borrow sustainable home items such as electric landscape equipment, induction cooktops, and repair tools, for free, for up to two weeks. Visit sustainableprinceton.org for more information.

Attending

June 20 launch of and relaunch of two books

the Arts Council of Princeton were, from left, Shirley Satterfield, the Rev. Gregory S. Smith, John Thompson, Tammy Franklin, Aaron Fisher, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, Adam Welch, Liza Peck, Melissa Kuscin, and Councilman Leighton Newlin, who wrote the forward to Welch’s book.

SOUNDS OF MUSIC: A collection of albums and sheet music lines the walls at the Oscar Hammerstein Museum & Theater Education Center in Doylestown, Pa. The museum is celebrating Hammerstein’s 130th birthday July 12 and 13 with concerts during tours, and is holding a singing competition for area youths.

Hammerstein Museum Marks His Birthday in Song; Sponsors International Youth Soloist Competition

A musical theater legend’s 130th birthday is being celebrated with — what better— his musical theater pieces, sung by professional

singers known to the area during tours of his former residence.

The Oscar Hammerstein Museum & Theater Education Center in Bucks County, Pa., will celebrate the birthday of Oscar Hammerstein II with performances by singers Keith Spencer, Meredith Beck and Meg Flather during tours of Highland Farm, 70 East Road, Doylestown, Pa., on July 12 and 13.

TOPICS Of the Town

The museum and education center is dedicated to the preservation of lyricist and librettist Hammerstein’s Doylestown home, a place where he and wife Dorothy lived for the last 20 years of his life, and where, with collaborator Richard Rodgers, the landmark musicals Oklahoma, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Carousel, and The King and I were written It is where he mentored a local youth, Stephen Sondheim, who grew up to be another legend of musical theater. The nonprofit purchased the Highland Farm property in December 2023 and is curating the museum on the site.

The tours include the history of the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and also show off some recently donated artifacts, such as a rocking chair on the iconic rounded porch; an inkwell set donated by his grandson Will; a collection of nearly 40 cast albums and sheet music; a gift from Ron Jacobs, a retired professor; and Oscar and Dorothy Hammerstein’s bar cart, a gift from the Young/McCoy family. The house also now shows Sondheim’s report cards from nearby George School, where he attended. Each tour during July 12 and 13 will have a special performance. On Saturday, July 12, museum visitors for the 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. tours will be treated to a performance by Doylestown singer Meredith Beck. Beck’s work spans performing, writing, and directing, and she has appeared with Bristol Riverside Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse,

11th Hour Theatre, Cape May Stage, and more. Among the Barrymore winner’s favorite roles is South Pacific’s Nellie Forbush. She also performs with her Irish band, The Galway Girls, and serves on the National Council of Actors’ Equity. Visitors on the 1 and 3 p.m. tours will hear songs from Keith Spencer. Spencer, familiar to Princeton audiences, is a stage and concert performer known for roles in classic American musicals, including his portrayal of Carousel’s Billy Bigelow and Joe in Show

June 29 1 - 3 pm

White and Booze Red, White and Blue attire encouraged!

USA bites will be served. Friday, July 4 | 6 PM

oin us for as we celebrate the rich and diverse flavors of American craftsmanship. From the bold reds of California vineyards to the refined complexity of New York whiskeys, this curated tasting experience will take you on a journey across the country one pour at a time.

Whether you’re a whiskey lover, wine enthusiast, or just here for a 4th of July good time, we’re pouring American pride in every glass.

Princeton

Continued from Preceding Page

SUMMER ON THE SQUARE SUMMER ON THE SQUARE

Owned Since 1976.

Annuals, Perennials, Herbs and Gardening Supplies

Hanging Baskets and Patio Planters

Veggie Plants, Bird Seed, and Wind Chimes

Greenhouse filled with blooming and green Houseplants

Pottery, Soils and Fertilizers

Full Service Florist - Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sympathy Walk-in Bouquets and Arrangements available 7 days a week

Boat, which connect him to the Hammerstein legacy. He recently performed as a featured soloist in Porgy and Bess with the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, and through his company, Enspire Productions, celebrates the African American experience and supports community causes.

On Sunday, July 13, New York City-based cabaret singer Meg Flather will perform for tours at noon, 2, 3, and 5 p.m. She brings a contemporary perspective to the Rodgers and Hammerstein songbook. In her acclaimed show “Rodgers & Hammerstein 2021+,” Flather explores the enduring relevance of their music, highlighting themes of social justice, gender roles and global awareness.

Information and tickets for the Hammerstein Birthday Celebration weekend can be found at hammersteinmuseum.org/oscar-s130th-birthday-celebration. Beyond the birthday event, public tours of Highland Farm are offered Friday to Monday through the fall. Private and group tours can be arranged by appointment. Advance tickets are required for all tours.

The museum is also holding a youth singing competition, with registration open through July 18. The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center’s fifth annual Hammerstein International Youth Solo Contest, open to vocalists ages 16-18, is a celebration of Hammerstein’s lyrics. Winners will receive a cash prize, a voice lesson with a Broadway teaching artist, and an opportunity to perform at the Hammerstein Museum gala on October 19 in Doylestown, Pa. The first four years of the contest attracted nearly 700 performers representing five continents and 28 states. The contest is open to singers in elementary, middle and high school categories, and a local division for Bucks County residents. The first round of finalists, judged by local musicians and educators, will be announced August 4.

For information visit hammersteinmuseum.org/25solo-contest or email chuttono@gmail.com.

Recently, the Museum was the recipient of a $500,000 grant through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and is raising funds to meet the matching requirements for unlocking the grant money. The museum hopes to restore the farmhouse porch and balcony, add a new roof, improve the HVAC systems, and continue to launch meaningful community programs.

For more information, call (215) 346-7320, extension 1, or visit hammerstein museum.org.

Tickets for the combined tour and birthday concerts are $35. Saturday’s performances are sponsored by On Demand Programs and Events. Sunday’s shows are sponsored by Eiseman Exterior Experts. Sweet treats will be provided by Le Macaron French Pastries of Doylestown, Pa.

—Wendy Greenberg

A forum for the expression of opinions about local and national issues.

Question of the Week:

“What are your plans for this summer?” (Asked around town on Sunday afternoon) (Photos by Sarah Teo)

“Work, and going to the beach, usually Asbury Park … see some shows.”

—Steve Sicurella, Manalapan

“To travel back to Cali, and get ready to go back to school. Also working and enjoying time with family and friends.”

—Adaline Villegas, Glendora, Calif.

“Go fishing, play baseball, and go to California and have fun this summer.”

—Aithann Villegas, East Windsor

“Golf; maybe go fishing with my boys. We like to visit Twin Rivers, and a little pond in Bordentown. Maybe take a trip to the Colorado River, back in California. I also have a planned trip to Colombia.”

—Adam Villegas, East Windsor

Solar Energy continued from page one process as defined by the rules the BPU (Board of Public Utilities) has put in place to notify households about enrolling in the program,” Symington said, adding that Sustainable Princeton has been working on the initiative since the BPU established it as a pilot program in 2018. The permanent program was put in place in 2023.

Three projects were proposed — at rooftop sites in Robbinsville, Cranbury, and Carteret. As many as 899 Princeton residents could participate. One of the sites would be operational by December; the other two by the spring of next year. Symington said mailers, information sessions, in-person “tabling” events, and a website would be used to inform families and organizations about the program.

A full description is available in the agenda packet from the meeting on the municipal website, princetonnj. gov.

An update on the Community Park South concept plan was presented by Bowman/Mahan Rykiel Associates, consultants on the project. The first phase of revamping the 26-acre expanse bordered by Route 206, Birch Avenue, Community Park School, and Community Park Pool has been underway since January.

Jared Moran, from the Bowman firm, said updates to the master plan for the park include keeping the mature trees along Route 206, and moving the pickleball courts closer to the tennis courts. Moran said the first stakeholder meeting had provided the firm with input, and work has been done with the town’s recreation and engineering departments.

“I feel like the plan is much improved,” said Councilman David Cohen. “The use of open space is better. You did a great job fitting in everything that needs to fit in, as well as preserving the trees.”

Councilwoman Leticia Fraga asked where families will be able to gather. Moran identified multiple gathering spaces throughout the park.

During public comment, several people urged Council to create a resolution in support of the Immigrant Trust Act, which is pending at the state level. Mayor Mark Freda and members of Council responded that the governing body supports 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. They also provided information about programs in the town’s Human Services Department that are dedicated to protecting immigrants.

“We are here for you. We love you. We are a welcoming town, and we are doing everything we can to keep Princeton safe and equitable,” said Councilman Leighton Newlin. “Work with us to build trust in the community.”

—Anne Levin

Protesters continued from page one

simply exercising their rights to protest and advocate for justice and against genocide,” he said. “The right to protest and voice dissent is fundamental to the health of any democracy, and we are proud to stand with these students who peacefully raised their voices for Palestinian human rights.”

Maksut went on to call on universities and other institutions to protect the rights of students “to peacefully protest without fear of retribution, discrimination, or criminal charges.”

Princeton University did not comment on last week’s decision, but the University’s Media Relations department referred to a statement made by University President Christopher L. Eisgruber on May 13, 2024, where he noted, “Whether to proceed or dismiss charges is a decision that rests solely with the prosecutor. In keeping with University policy we have not asked the prosecutor to ‘drop’ the pending charges.”

The statement went on to assert that “the University will continue to enforce viewpoint-neutral time, place, and manner rules. A wide range of protest activity is allowed, but protests must not significantly disrupt University operations and events.”

Following last week’s dismissal of charges, the students’ attorney Aymen Aboushi stated, “As we said from the beginning, these students did not violate the law. They were exercising their constitutional rights, and we are grateful to have achieved this result for them.”

Release from defiant trespass charges allows the students to avoid the possibility of up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

—Donald Gilpin

Tell them you saw their ad in

JUNCTION BARBER

33 Princeton-Hightstown Rd Ellsworth’s Center (Near Train Station) 799-8554

Tues-Fri: 10am-6pm; Sat 8:30am-3:30pm

Stoutsburg Museum Wins Two Awards of Excellence

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced that the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM ) is the recipient of Awards of Excellence for its original exhibition, “The Head that Wears the Crown: Black Women’s Headwear from Slavery to Freedom,” and its public program, the “1899 Camp Meeting Reenactment.”

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 80th year, is a prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.

On September 20, 2024, SSAAM debuted “The Head that Wears the Crown,” a special exhibition exploring the legacy of church hats as symbols of Black womanhood, spirituality, and cultural pride. Sponsored by the Princeton University Art Museum and curated by Public History Intern Kyra March, the exhibit remains on view through June.

“The Head That Wears the Crown” showcases 25 vintage hats donated by women from local Black churches — many on display for the first time — alongside historical interpretation and an oral history film. A community photography series displays portraits of local residents of all ages modeling hats from the museum collection or their own closets. Created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Mt. Zion AME Church, the exhibit bridges generations by engaging both youth and elders in preserving and reimagining a cherished Black tradition.

SSAAM also received recognition for the “1899 Camp Meeting Reenactment,” a living history program recreating the traditional religious revivals once hosted by Mt. Zion AME Church. Sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 Preserving Black Churches grant and developed by SSAAM’s Education and Exhibit Manager Dr. Isabela Morales, the October 12, 2024 event featured costumed interpreters, period music, children’s activities, and an oral history film. The reenactment drew nearly 150 attendees and celebrated a rarelyremembered moment of interracial fellowship in rural New Jersey during the Jim Crow era.

This year, AASLH confers 54 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.

The SSAAM is dedicated to telling the story of the unique culture, experiences, and contributions of African Americans in the Sourland Mountain Region of Central New Jersey. Founded in 2016 by historians Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck, SSAAM grew out of decades of research into the region’s significant but often-overlooked Black history. Today, Mt. Zion AME Church and the historic Reasoner/ True House — both museum sites — are two of the last remaining landmarks of a once-thriving African American community in the Sourlands.

Preserving the history of the Black church is central to SSAAM’s mission. Mt. Zion AME served as a vital spiritual and social hub for the community, built by free Black labor and rooted in resilience. Through programs like “The Head that Wears the Crown” and the “1899 Camp Meeting Reenactment,” SSAAM continues to celebrate and share the legacy of Black faith, culture, and community in New Jersey.

New Board Members

For Experience Princeton

Experience Princeton appointed three new board members during its board meeting held Tuesday, June 3, at the Nassau Inn. The additions reflect the organization’s continued commitment to inclusive representation from Princeton’s business and property owner communities. New members are Mamoun Chater, Kristin Menapace, and Michael Monarca.

Chater manages the operations — alongside his uncles — of Mamoun’s Falafel, located at 20 WItherspoon Street. Growing up in the restaurant industry, he developed a deep appreciation for the family business and is committed to building upon the legacy established by his family.

Menapace is the co-owner and chief operating officer of Homestead Princeton, a local destination for sustainable home furnishings and gifts, located at 300 Witherspoon Street. Menapace brings more than 12 years of experience in strategic retail management and a strong background in economics and education.

Monarca is the general manager of Graduate by Hilton Princeton, located at 10 Chambers Street. Since joining the project in December 2023, Monarca has overseen the hotel’s opening and dayto-day operations, bringing with him nearly three decades of hospitality leadership.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these new members to the board,” said Experience Princeton Board President Aubrey Haines. “Each new member brings a strong connection to Princeton and a clear passion for community-building. Their diverse backgrounds in retail, hospitality, and restaurant management will help guide Experience Princeton.”

The board also approved the reappointment of current members Kristin Appelget, Haines, Helena May, and Lori Rabon to second three-year terms through June 30, 2028.

In addition, Andrew Siegel, chief operating officer of Hamilton Jewelers, was confirmed to fill the unexpired term of a former board member, continuing through June 30, 2026. The leadership team confirmed for this term is Haines, president; May, vice president; and Bob Hillier, secretary.

“These appointments represent the best of what makes Princeton thrive — collaboration, innovation, and a shared sense of place,” said Isaac Kremer, executive director of Experience Princeton. “We look forward to working with this dedicated group to advance our mission and deliver lasting value to the businesses, residents, employees, stakeholders and visitors we work with and for.”

Benson Delivers Speech On State of the County On June 24 at a gathering of the Princeton-Mercer Chamber of Commerce, County Executive Dan Benson delivered his 2025 State of the County address, highlighting a year of progress and laying out his vision for the year ahead.

Benson opened by acknowledging that the County had continued to face financial challenges over the past year.

“Last year, when I spoke, I was clear about the challenges ahead. We were in a tough financial spot,” he said. “So we rolled up our sleeves, we tightened our belts, and we went to work. Now, Mercer County is planting seeds for our future, and that future is

bright. Because Mercer is a special place, and we believe that it should be leading the way. We want to set the standard. We want to show the entire region how government can and should work for people.”

Throughout his remarks, Benson highlighted the importance of collaboration, noting his close partnership with the Board of County Commissioners as well as his administration’s steps to strengthen coordination with Mercer’s twelve municipalities. He celebrated several major milestones, including breaking ground on upgrades to the Trenton Thunder ballpark, launching the South Broad Street Vision Plan, and major improvements at Trenton Mercer Airport. He also pointed to projects like the reconstruction of the historic Eagle Tavern, the plans to extend and connect sections of the Johnson Trolley Line Trail, and the award-winning restoration of the Montgomery Street Bridge. In addition to infrastructure progress, Benson highlighted his administration’s efforts to expand social services, strengthen public health and safety, promote diversity in vendor procurement, and lead the way on equality through the work of Mercer’s new Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

“For the first time in a long time, there’s real energy and excitement about the future of Mercer County and our Capital City,” he said. “Because of the hard work of this amazing team, I can say with confidence that the state of Mercer County is much better today than it was just a year ago.”

Organic Garden State Organic Garden State

STATE OF THE COUNTY: Mercer County Executive Dan Benson spoke to stakeholders on June 24.

a Princeton tradition!

When restauranteurs Raoul and Carlo Momo received approval to demolish the building that housed their Terra Momo Bread Company and the Little Taste of Cuba cigar shop at the corner of Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place nearly three years ago, they were excited about replacing it with a three-story, mixed use project containing a restaurant, bakery, gourmet market, and three apartments.

But the project has been stalled, and the brothers have had enough. An email last week to friends and supporters of Terra Momo Restaurants (Eno Terra in Kingston, Mediterra, and Teresa Caffe in Princeton) indicated that they have sold the property to an unidentified local investor.

“While we began development of this project with tremendous energy and enthusiasm, the process was ultimately not an easy or enjoyable one for a variety of reasons,” the email reads. “Therefore, after much deliberation and careful consideration, we have decided to sell 70-74 Witherspoon Street.”

“So many things were stacked up against us,” Raoul Momo elaborated in a phone conversation. “We tried so hard to get it past the finish line. We were approved three years ago. We’re not a developer, we’re a small family business. So the cost of not getting anything done with a vacant building is very painful.”

While he doesn’t specifically fault the town, Momo

was clearly frustrated by the slow pace of the project.

“I know other people in town who go through the same thing, and it’s a shame,” he said. “You see these massive projects going up, and it’s just not right. We don’t blame anybody, but when you’re a small business, you [the town] can’t do that to people who are trying to get things done. I don’t have 50 units going up there. It’s three apartments. It’s totally impossible for us to do it.”

The rising cost of construction was a key factor.

“To briefly explain our decision, we received Planning Board approvals in October of 2022, and after working diligently to develop the project and complete construction documents, the process has taken us to the point where, nearly three years later, we are only now ready to submit drawings to the building department, during which time construction costs have steadily risen far above what we ever imagined the project would cost,” the email reads.

The constant delays and costs “took the proverbial wind out of our sails, making the project untenable for us,” it continues.

Not everyone was pleased in 2022 with the Momos’ plan to tear down 70-74 Witherspoon Street and rebuild, particularly those interested in preservation. The building is at Griggs Corner, which has a distinctive history but is not officially designated historic. From 1931 to 1976 it was home to a beauty salon run by Virginia Mills, whose husband was the first Black postman in Princeton. Toto’s Market, which closed in 1987 after 75 years, was also located there.

While respectful of the site’s history, the Momos determined the building was too dilapidated to be saved. They planned a complete rebuild, designed by architect Leslie Dowling, who is Carlo Momo’s wife.

“We were looking forward to adding a new concept to the Princeton dining scene that we are so proud to be part of and wanted to share with our beloved community what this experience has been for us,” the email concludes. “Much has changed in Princeton since we first arrived nearly 40 years ago, but what hasn’t changed is our promise to deliver quality food and wine with warm, welcoming hospitality.”

—Anne Levin

Heirloom Garden Cooking Is Topic of Program

D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Discovery Center at Point Breeze Presents “Heir loom Garden Cooking for Community” on Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. at the Dis covery Center, 101 E. Park Street in Bordentown.

Guests will learn how the re-creation of the property’s historic garden now benefits the local community. Addi tionally, attendees are invit ed to take some time to tour the exhibits at the Discovery Center and explore the sur rounding grounds. The fee of $20 supports the garden’s growth and the Discovery Center’s outreach program. Reservations are necessary and can be made at www. drgreenway.org.

The historic garden at the Discovery Center at Point Breeze has been reactivated from its original part of the Bonaparte Estate behind Bonaparte’s Gardener’s House. Growing vegetables from heirloom seeds accurate to the time period of the early to mid-1800s, D&R Greenway Land Trust donates nearly everything produced to local community kitchens through Christ Church of Bordentown.

In 2024, 885 pounds of produce was donated to Bordentown City Outreach, a group of churches and civic organizations working to feed food-insecure community members. The primary points of contact were Father Matt Tucker and Doan Tucker of Christ Church Parish.

Doan Tucker organizes all of the produce donation efforts, and several others each year. The Discovery Center’s lead gardener, Brooke McMinn, delivers vegetables as they are harvested throughout the season to Doan, who preps them for nourishing meals to locals in need in Bordentown and surrounding communities.

Early in 2020, a few of Doan Tucker’s friends and neighbors nominated her for the Burlington County Outstanding Woman of the Year Award. With Tucker still in her mother’s womb, her family fled Vietnam near the end of the Vietnam War in the mid-1970s. For much of her childhood and early adulthood, she lived the life of a refugee, moving from California to Vancouver to Toronto to Northern Virginia, where she met Father Matt, then a student at a local seminary. When the couple moved to Bordentown City, Tucker was looking for the home

she never had. She found it by trying to help people in difficult situations — people she saw herself in. “There’s a huge need and if I’m able to help fill some voids and move things along, that’s why I do it,” she said. “I often wake up and ask, what else can I do today?”

Tucker and her program assistants Courtney Pelikan and Jack Magnelli will speak at the event. Attendees will experience the ingredients, tools, and cooking methods they use to prepare meals from the Historic Garden at Point Breeze’s fresh organic produce.

COMMUNITY GARDEN: Nutritious items from the historic garden at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Discovery Center at Point Breeze.

Community Members Can Experience

PU First-Year Summer Pre-Read

Princeton community residents can explore how to distinguish science from pseudoscience by joining the Princeton University campus community in its Pre-Read program, a 12-year tradition in which all incoming students, and often the greater Princeton community, read and discuss one book.

The selection for the incoming Class of 2029 is On the Fringe: Where Science Meets Pseudoscience by Professor Michael D. Gordin, the dean of the College. While the campus will have several opportunities to discuss the book with Gordin, other faculty, and among themselves, Princeton residents can discuss their common reading experience on Tuesday, September 16 at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Registration for the event opens August 15 at princetonlibrary.org, and those who register will receive a copy of the book while supplies last. For those who want to start now, the book is available through Labyrinth Books in Princeton, a store spokesperson confirmed. At the community event, Gordin will be in conversation with Corina Tarnita, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.

“When the author’s schedule permits, we are eager to include the community as part of the University’s PreRead tradition,” said Kristin Appleget, assistant vice president for community and regional affairs, in an email.

“We were delighted that Dean Gordin was available to do an extra talk this fall during the many Pre-Read gatherings on campus and partnering with the Princeton Public Library — the community’s living room — made a perfect location for the event.” She noted that a similar library gathering was held at the library in 2019 when James Williams’ Stand Out of Our Light: Freedom and Resistance in the Attention Economy was “the featured Pre-Read with a sell-out audience and a thoughtful discussion. We are looking forward to this year’s ‘Community Read of the Pre-Read.’”

The Pre-Read program, initiated by University President Christopher L. Eisgruber in 2013, introduces incoming undergraduate students to Princeton’s intellectual life, as members of the incoming class read the same book selected by Eisgruber and sent to them before they arrive on campus. Many times the book has had Princeton connections, for example, the PreRead selection for the Class of 2022 was Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech by Keith Whittington, a professor in Princeton’s Department of Politics; the Pre-Read for the Class of 2026 was Every Day the River Changes: Four Weeks Down the Magdalena . Its author, Jordan Salama, is a member of Princeton’s Class of 2019.

A Forbes Magazine 2023 article stated that on many campuses, pre-reading “has been in place long enough to be regarded as a campus rite of passage.” Princeton’s selection that year, How to Stand Up to a Dictator:

Public Can Share Ideas On Westminster Campus

The Fight for Our Future by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa was noted in the article.

Gordin’s book explores the philosophical and historical attempts to address the problem of deciding what is pseudoscience, and what is not, arguing that “by understanding doctrines that are often seen as antithetical to science, we can learn a great deal about how science operated in the past and does today,” according to the publisher, Oxford University Press.

Continues the publisher:

“Everyone has heard of the term ‘pseudoscience,’ typically used to describe something that looks like science, but is somehow false, misleading, or unproven. . . But defining what makes these fields ‘pseudo’ is a far more complex issue. It has proved impossible to come up with a simple criterion that enables us to differentiate pseudoscience from genuine science. . . . On the Fringe explores the philosophical and historical attempts to address this problem of demarcation.”

In a letter to incoming students introducing the book, Eisgruber wrote that he “had many reasons for choosing On the Fringe as this year’s Pre-Read. One is that it is a fun way to acquaint (students) with Princeton’s dean of the College — the senior administrator responsible for our undergraduate academic program.”

Another reason he likes the book, he said in the letter, is that On the Fringe grew out of a class that Gordin taught to Princeton undergraduates. Most importantly, he wrote, it “invites conversation about the purposes of the liberal arts curriculum that awaits you at Princeton. Our admission website says that Princeton’s liberal arts education aims to give you an “expansive intellectual grounding in all kinds of humanistic inquiry.”

Gordin is Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, the director of the Society of Fellows in the Liberal Arts, and the acting chair of the Department of History at Princeton University. He specializes in the history of modern science in Russia, Europe, and North America, in particular on issues related to the history of fringe science, the early years of the nuclear arms race, Russian and Soviet science, language and science, and Albert Einstein. He is the author of The Pseudoscience Wars: Immanuel Velikovsky and the Birth of the Modern Fringe , Scientific Babel: How Science Was Done Before and After Global English , and Red Cloud at Dawn: Truman, Stalin, and the End of the Atomic Monopoly

—Wendy Greenberg

A posting on the municipal website invites the public to suggest ideas on the future of the former Westminster Choir College campus, which the town purchased in April from Rider University.

“The municipality, with the assistance of its planning consultant Topology, is launching a multi-phase project to explore how the Westminster Choir College campus can be reimagined to best meet the long-term needs of the community,” the posting reads. “The scope of the project will include stakeholder outreach, site analysis, and the development of several design alternatives.”

The first phase, which runs through the end of August, begins with stakeholder outreach, the establishment of site objectives, and the exploration of site constraints. Next, from September through early February 2026, is the development of three design alternatives, with which the public can engage in two workshops.

The final phase involves the development of a preferred alternative, and is scheduled to end in June 2026. “During this final phase the initial and final preferred design alternative will be presented in public sessions,” reads the posting.

To take part in the survey, visit princeton.civilspace.io/ en/projects/westminsterchoir-college.

Mercer Street Friends Honors Student Reading Achievements

Mercer Street Friends, dedicated to strengthening local families through food, family and education services, recently celebrated the reading advancements of students from Trenton School District’s Luis Muñoz-Rivera and Benjamin C. Gregory elementary schools. Students from the Reading Intervention Program marked a successful school year of reading progress and academic growth, demonstrating their reading abilities in front of family members, friends and supporters, before receiving certificates of achievement.

Mercer Street Friends, through its nationally recognized Community Schools Initiative, provides the Reading Intervention Program to help young students gain grade level reading proficiency. A full-service Community School uses established partnerships between public schools and community organizations to provide well-rounded educational opportunities — meeting the social, emotional, physical, mental health and academic needs of students. Mercer Street Friends is the lead agency for the Community School initiative in the Trenton Public School District. As part of the program, educators meet with small groups of students four times per week for 30 minutes to concentrate on phonetics, reading comprehension, inferencing, predicting, character traits and other reading skills. As students mature in their skills, the program focuses on cause and effect, sequencing and higher order thinking questions for comprehension.

In the Trenton Public School System, fewer than

Students from Luis

after a

12 percent of students are reading at grade-level proficiency compared to their peers across the state, according to U.S. News & World Report. The program works to change that number, and 125 students took part in the program this year.

“The most rewarding aspect of the Reading Intervention Program is seeing it open doors for students

as their literacy skills grow,” said Bernie Flynn, CEO of Mercer Street Friends. “Empowering students to take ownership of their educational journeys is a source of great pride for all of us at Mercer Street Friends. We are deeply grateful to supporters such as New Jersey Golf for their generous support of this program, and to the Princeton Area Community Foundation for

serving as the program’s seed funder. Without their continued backing, the profound impact this program has on students and their academic development would not be possible.”

Tell them you saw their ad in

READING ACHIEVEMENTS:

Munoz-Rivera Elementary School display their certificates

successful year of reading progress. Behind them, from left, are Bernadette Trapp, director of Mercer Street Friends Community Schools; Frank O’Brien, chairman of the New Jersey Golf Youth Foundation; and Bernie Flynn, CEO of Mercer Street Friends.

“Princeton’s

productive way,” said Council President Mia Sacks, in an email this week. “Using smart growth principles, the plan incorporates infill development, adaptive reuse, repurposing of stranded assets — vacant office buildings with large parking lots — and mixed use zoning. The new housing sites, which limit impervious surface expansion and sprawl, are situated near amenities, jobs, schools and transit corridors, to promote walkable neighborhoods and reduce car dependence and traffic. Princeton’s plan is about more than meeting a legal mandate: it reaffirms our longstanding commitment to enhancing racial and socioeconomic diversity through inclusive development, while strengthening the fabric of our community.”

—Anne Levin

Police Blotter

On June 23, at 2:21 a.m., subsequent to a motor vehicle stop for failure to keep right, the driver, a 35-yearold male from Princeton, was found to be driving while intoxicated. He was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right, reckless driving, and careless driving. He was provided with his court date and was released to a sober adult.

On June 23, at 11:17 p.m., an individual reported that his Samsung cell phone, valued at $250, was stolen while he left it unattended at a business on Nassau Street. The incident was captured on surveillance cameras. The suspect is described as a 30-year-old male with a slim build, featuring a tattoo on his left forearm. He was wearing a white and blue New York Yankees hat, a turquoise T-shirt with a red and yellow design on the front, yellow and black shorts with various Batmanthemed designs, white and grey sneakers, and carrying a colorful backpack adorned with several designs.

On June 22 at 2:50 a.m., subsequent to a motor vehicle stop for littering from a motor vehicle, failure to observe a traffic signal and other violations, the driver/accused, a 45-year-old male of Bay Shore, N.Y., was found to be operating

his motor vehicle while under the influence of a suspected illegal narcotic. He was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters, where he was processed, and was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and failure to observe traffic control devices. He was later released from police custody and he was given a court date.

On June 15, at 3:14 p.m., patrols responded to a business on Nassau Street regarding a past shoplifting incident. Upon arrival, officers met with a store employee who reported that on June 15, at approximately 2:40 p.m., two males entered the store and stole a silver and black certified pre-owned Cosmograph Daytona Rolex watch valued at $119,500.00. The Detective Bureau is investigating.

On June 14, at 11:16 a.m., an individual reported that an unknown person(s) stole his mislaid iPhone 15 valued at $400 from a park located on Mountain Avenue. The Detective Bureau is investigating.

On June 14, at 2:21 p.m., a Tee-Ar Place resident reported that on June 14, sometime between 9:50 a.m. and 11 p.m., an unknown person stole an Apple MacBook Air valued at $950 from her porch after it was delivered by FedEx. There are no suspects at this time.

On June 12, at 2:01 p.m., a Valley Road resident reported that she purchased an MSI Gaming Trio 4080 graphics card from an individual selling it

on Facebook Marketplace. They agreed on a sale price of $1,000. On Saturday, June 7, at approximately 5:15 p.m., they met in the parking lot of the Princeton Police Department to complete the transaction and exchange the merchandise and money. After taking the graphics card home, the victim attempted to install it in her computer, but it did not work. She then took the card to a computer store, where it was confirmed that the part was defective. The individual reached out to the seller, who initially promised to refund her money but subsequently blocked her communication.

of Princeton Award for Acupuncture for 14 years in a row, and has been recognized as a “Top Doc” of New Jersey for the past 10 years. She was recently inducted into the Princeton Business Hall of Fame.

WIN founder and CEO Philip Loew.

A West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South graduate who grew up in Plainsboro, Loew attributes his success to “the clarity he had on what his strengths and interests were and what those translated to for future careers,” and “the mentors and relationships he built that helped him get there.”

With over 25 years of experience in both Eastern and Western health care modalities, MacDonald’s practice focuses on pain relief, nervous system regulation, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Like Law, he combines Chinese and Japanese acupuncture with modern, evidence-based therapies. Prior to moving to Princeton with his family, MacDonald’s work took him to Tunisia and Panama; most recently, he founded the Dover Acupuncture Clinic in New Hampshire.

WIN currently runs three cohorts of students per year — two virtual cohorts during the school year and one in-person cohort in the summer. This summer Loew is bringing students to Houston, Texas, for several days of programming, including a private tour of NASA Johnson Space Center. Also taking place will be exclusive conversations with NASA executives, job shadowing of startup founders and learning about their journeys, a college admissions workshop with Rice University, and more.

Most recently, Loew was senior director and head of expansion for Activate, an entrepreneurial fellowship helping scientists to become leaders and bring their research to market.

On June 11, at 2:27 p.m., patrols responded to a parking lot on Snowden Lane following a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the driver, who stated that she parked her vehicle in the lot at approximately 9: a.m. June 11. When she returned to her vehicle at approximately 1:22 p.m., she discovered that $600 in cash was missing from her purse. The victim also reported that several items were missing, including various credit cards. She later determined that an unknown individual had fraudulently used her cards at several businesses, accumulating a total of $6,473.40 in unauthorized charges. Through video surveillance, officers were able to obtain descriptions of the suspects involved. One is female, approxima tely 5’ tall, about 35-45 years old, wearing black pants, a black shirt and a tan sun hat with a white ribbon, and a bracelet on her right wrist, whitepainted fingernails and black sunglasses. The second suspect is male, approximately 5’8, about 55-65 years old, wearing black pants and a blue-collared half-button-up shirt, with a black watch on his right wrist, a white baseball cap, and glasses with a black frame, and later black sunglasses. The third suspect is a male about 30-40 years old, about 5’8, wearing a white T-shirt and royal blue shorts.

Unless noted, individuals arrested were later released.

Chinese Acupuncture Healthcare Welcomes Two New Practitioners

Acupuncturist Helen K. Law has announced that, effective June 20, integrative health practitioner Nancy Perez and acupuncturist Douglas MacDonald will join her office at Chinese Acupuncture Healthcare, 611 Executive Drive in Princeton.

Law, who is licensed in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Therapy (NCCAOM). In addition to traditional Chinese medicine, she has studied Japanese style acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture, auricular medicine, and craniosacral therapy.

Law has received the Best

Perez, a licensed massage therapist, respiratory therapist, and certified international yoga teacher, brings 20 years of interdisciplinary clinical experience to support an integrative approach to healing. With a Bachelor of Science in clinical physiology, she specializes in diaphragmatic breathing, lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, reflexology, pain relief, and sleep disorders. Her approach addresses conditions like chronic neck and shoulder pain, musculoskeletal syndrome, spinal stenosis, and the lingering effects of oncological treatments.

The team’s interdisciplinary approaches will seek to improve the overall health of patients, including those with a history of various chronic conditions.

“We will follow the ancient Chinese proverb which states that ‘the best doctor prevents illness before its onset,’” Law said. Their emphasis, added Perez, is to “achieve optimal wellness by enhancing mind-body harmony.”

Local Startup Helps Students Explore “What Is Next”

“What Is Next (WIN), a new locally-based startup, is helping high school students tackle the challenging, ageold question “What do you want to do when you grow up?”

Targeting students interested in STEM, finance/ business, and entrepreneurship in particular, WIN works with young people to explore career paths, build professional networks, and gain the skills they need for the evolving future of work.

“In an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing job market, with consistent questioning of the value of higher education and increasing anxiety and social media distractions, WIN believes that high school is the perfect time when students have the freedom to explore career options and start to build the relationships and networks they need for future success, while also having fun and being with other like-minded students,” said

He began his professional career as a banker within J.P. Morgan’s Corporate and Investment Bank. He has also served as the senior business and program manager for the New York City Regional innovation Node and as an associate director of the MIT Leadership Center.

For more information about Loew and WIN, visit whatisnext.academy.

Erica Snyder Announces Run for School Board

Erica Snyder has announced her candidacy for the Princeton Public School Board.

Snyder is a former high school teacher, K-12 professional development coach, and instructional technology specialist with experience in education technology, standards and competencybased grading, strategic planning, and educational leadership.

“As a dedicated educator and community leader, I am committed to ensuring that our schools provide a rigorous and engaging education for all students,” she said in a press release.

“We need to take a hard look at how technology is being integrated into our classrooms to ensure it is enhancing, not hindering, student learning. Our district is on the cusp of significant changes, with new staff, a new superintendent, and increasing enrollment. As a member of the school board, I will work tirelessly to ensure that these transitions are smooth and beneficial for our students and community.”

To learn more about Snyder’s campaign, visit ericasnyderforboe.com.

Helen K. Law

Nancy Perez

Mailbox

The views of the letters do not necessarily reflect the views of Town Topics.

What “Defend Historic Princeton” Means to Me, And Why Those Signs Are in Front of My House

To the Editor:

To me, “Defend Historic Princeton” means that it is the job of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), to defend historic Princeton. As a longtime member of the commission, I take that role seriously as do the other members of the commission. Over the past years, the volunteer commission has made sure that the rebuilding of the National Historic Landmark stone arch bridge over the Stony Brook by NJDOT was done appropriately; we worked with the cell phone companies to make sure that the massive equipment being added to telephone poles, if located in one of Princeton’s 21 historic districts, was placed in the least intrusive location; and we help property owners find the best solutions for repairing or expanding their buildings.

Defending Historic Princeton also means the collaborative work of the HPC with other agencies to address and accommodate stormwater management, to assist owners of historic structures directly affected by recent floods; researching the history of ice harvesting at Mountain Lakes Preserve so that, with State historic preservation funding, sympathetic reinforcement of the dams could be incorporated in an effort which could have drastically changed the atmosphere of that beloved trail system.

The orange signs — regardless of their origination — have become an opportunity to discuss aspects of historic preservation from resource conservation — to taking a gentle approach to the important and irreplaceable — to seeking ways to harmonize the new with the old. The HPC helps ensure buildings representing a wide mix of important and sometimes difficult times can remain standing as tributes to the citizens that survived those times. It works hard to designate districts as diverse as the two newest: Witherspoon-Jackson and the eating clubs on Prospect Avenue.

The HPC stands up and adds its voice to the every10-year process of updating the master plan to ensure the protection of our historic resources, and provides professional opinion on complicated matters before both the planning and zoning boards.

The HPC also depends on the work of other community organizations such as the Historical Society, Morven, and the Princeton Battlefield Society, who do the research to interpret our history, and provide the volunteers to share those stories.

Defending Historic Princeton means that authentic elements of the built environment tied to our past are available for future generations to experience. Defending Historic Princeton is investing in saving the stories, the artifacts, buildings, landscapes, and battlefields that tell a collective story of Princeton, and not allowing them to be lost.

DAVID SCHURE Stockton Street

The writer is a long-serving member of the Princeton Historic Preservation commission, lives in a historic house requiring review of physical changes to the exterior, and has spent a career working with individuals, organizations, and municipalities in Historic Preservation efforts.

Mailbox Injury 6-25

Historic Princeton is Entire Town, An Injury to One is an Injury to All

To the Editor:

It’s become standard practice these days to label one’s critics casually as terrorists, antisemites, libtards, white supremacists, and more. Predictably, Councilman Leighton Newlin, has smeared opponents of the high-rise luxury Stockton Street project — a wide swath of his own constituents, from all across town — as elite racists out to exclude Blacks and Hispanics from Princeton.

As the councilman well knows, the townsfolk he misrepresents want more low-income units than the plan he backs. Concealing that, he twists the slogan “Defend Historic Princeton,” directed against destructive overdevelopers, into a racist battle cry. His blatantly false and purposefully inflammatory accusations discredit him and his office.

In trying to dupe a well-intentioned public, Councilman Newlin proves easily duped himself. Profit-hungry developers, compelled by law to provide a minimum of affordable units, routinely silence criticism by posing as champions of social justice. Credulous local officials then hawk their luxury projects as heroic.

My late relative, Chief Justice Robert N. Wilentz, crafted the 1983 decision that forced New Jersey developers to expand affordable housing. Betraying his intentions in order to unleash private luxury development is beyond cynical.

Defending this latest betrayal, Councilman Newlin plays the race card in order to line the pockets of local players, lauding a scheme that, with its 4:1 ratio of luxury to affordable, will replicate, not reduce, Princeton’s glaring economic and racial inequities.

The councilman claims the project is for “working people who contribute to the life and labor of this town.” Projected market rate rentals, including parking and an unspecified “amenity,” range from $45,192 to $62,664 annually. Try living there on a schoolteacher’s salary in the Princeton

public system, let alone the much lower salaries of the other workers in our schools.

Councilman Newlin scorns urgent townwide issues — matters we elected him to address — as racist subterfuges. How, then, will he, a registered real-estate agent, explain to constituents his vote for a sweetheart $40 million PILOT to develop some of the choicest property imaginable — at direct cost to all Princetonians, Black, Hispanic, and white, well-off and working-class?

How will he explain voting to worsen Princeton’s outof-control traffic mess by adding hundreds of cars right next to Route 206? What about threatened widespread environmental damage by a super-dense project with a massive underground garage?

How, finally, will he and any other Council members explain voting to inflict these harms while awarding a windfall to a private developer who has contributed financially to their own election campaigns? Cui bono?

Councilman Newlin accuses dissenters of demeaning the history of Blacks and working-class immigrants while privileging colonial and early national (read rich white) history. He obviously has not read the writings of the historian critics of the project.

Historic Princeton is the entire town, Jackson-Witherspoon as well as the Western section, The Barracks as well as Dorothea’s House. An injury to one is an injury to all, one reason you’re seeing “Defend Historic Princeton” signs far and wide. It’s called community. Councilman Newlin, the overdevelopers’ friend, prefers slander.

SEAN WILENTZ Edgehill Street

Make Westminster Choir College Property

To the Editor:

I write as someone who has a deep love for Princeton and for Westminster Choir College (WCC). My parents built our family home in 1960 in Princeton. I have seven family members including myself who graduated from Princeton Seminary and two from Princeton University. I am an emerita professor and administrator for over 20 years at Princeton Seminary and lived in faculty housing in town.

My ties to WCC run deep as my father was a personal friend and colleague of the founder John Finley Williamson of WCC. Its history, of course, is intertwined with Princeton Seminary. My former husband was a beloved professor there for over 20 years and many pastors have graduates of WCC in their church choirs. I have attended numerous WCC concerts through the years and have always appreciated the deep contribution that they made to the life of Princeton.

The WCC property has been purchased by the Municipality of Princeton using eminent domain. We now have a wonderful opportunity to support the creative use of this 23-acre property in the heart of Princeton. This is a unique open space which can be creatively protected.

My proposal for consideration of the use of the WCC campus is to create a park-like setting where community life can be enhanced as a meeting place for the people of the greater Princeton area as well as visitors to our community. This property could contain beautiful fountains, gardens, and walking paths with benches to sit and rest — a place of beauty and calm.

For those of us who have lived and worked in New York City and experienced the wonder of Central Park we know how important this has been for the vibrance of New York City. A place of beauty and open space is sorely needed in Princeton. This land could be a meeting place for all people as they come and go for a time of meditation, relaxation, walking, and conversation. It could enhance our sense of community as friends and strangers from different backgrounds and cultures cross paths here.

In addition, this place could include a community center for the enjoyment of the arts and music; it could be housed in current buildings or a few new single-story buildings. For example, the chapel could be used for concerts, theater etc., which would be a tribute to the legacy of the WCC. The other buildings could display art of local residents and house music and art classes.

We have a unique opportunity to use these 20-plus acres to beautify our town. More than just a place for people to live but a vibrant center for all people, a center for community and culture. If others resonate with this vision for WCC campus, please raise your voices to our town Council as they deliberate over the best use of this property.

ABIGAIL RIAN EVANS Stonebridge Lane

Some Imagination, Tough Bargaining Would Go a Long Way to Making Town a Community of Welcome, Inclusion

To the Editor:

Although I’m a week late, I’d like to take a few minutes to respond to Mr. Newlin’s letter of June 11, 2025 about the Defend Historic Princeton lawn signs in front of my house. I see them as a plea to defend Princeton from lack

of imagination; the upcoming discussion over what to do with the WCC property makes this especially important. Far from wanting Princeton to become richer and whiter as Mr. Newlin states, I’d like to see it go the other way, and it seems that the town Council could have given more thought to ways to do that. Instead, they adopted a standardized arrangement that uses our tax dollars to fund projects that apparently don’t make financial sense without them. Here are some ideas that occur to me:

As several letter writers have noted, this project requires 20 percent low-income housing, but only for 30 years. That’s the blink of an eye, and when it ends, we’ll be in a worse situation than we are now. Since the developer doesn’t seem to be able to make the numbers work without the PILOT, why didn’t the Council hold him to 40 years or 50? Or 30 percent or 40 percent low-income housing? Or require him to renovate the town-owned public housing on Franklin Street as part of the project?

The buildings that the developer knocked down were in the Princeton Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Had he renovated the two dormitories for income-producing (i.e. rental) purposes, he would have been eligible for a 20 percent tax credit from the Federal government and an additional 50 prcent tax credit from the State of New Jersey for the cost of renovation. It would have been more difficult to get the credit for turning the gymnasium into apartments, but the Council could have made the renovation of the dormitories a requirement for getting the PILOT for the project.

I share Mr. Newlin’s concern about the plummeting numbers of Black and brown residents, and would also like to mention the equally undesirable decrease in the number of municipal employees who live in town. (About 80 Borough and Township employees lived in town in 1950.) Instead of giving our tax dollars to this developer as PILOT so he can build high-end apartments, the town could use them to follow the University’s lead and co-sign mortgages for municipal employees. That way the cop directing traffic and our kids’ teachers could be our neighbors, instead of having to commute here from some other town.

I applaud the town Council members for all of the long, unpaid hours they put into volunteering on our behalf. I just wish they weren’t so quick to adopt a standardized arrangement that will make developers richer to the town’s detriment. A bit of imagination and tough bargaining would go a long way to making Princeton a community of welcome and inclusion.

ADRIAN TREVISAN Hamilton Avenue

Council Should Try Defending Town Instead of Ruining It

To the Editor:

People love to complain that Republicans use racist dog whistles. Last week town Council member Leighton Newlin unleased a marching band of dog whistlers to call anyone who doesn’t want a too-big, out-of-scale, historic-neighborhood-destroying apartment complex a racist [“‘Defending’ Historic Princeton? From Whom, And From What?,” Mailbox, June 11].

Bad enough to smear your neighbors, but do you know what’s worse? Not having your facts right. I went back and looked at the Census data from 2000. Do you know what percentage of Black Princetonians was 25 years ago? About 6 percent.

What is it today? Nearly 7 percent. So the Black population isn’t shrinking. Sorry Mr. Newlin.

You know what else he got wrong? The town is actually more diverse today than it was 25 years ago. Maybe Mr. Newlin’s worried that the white population fell from 80 percent to 62 percent, but I doubt it.

In 25 years, not only has the Black population increased, the Hispanic population has increased and the Asian population has almost doubled. Mixed race residents increased by 200 percent.

An inconvenient truth: Princeton is the most diverse today than it ever been.

Go back 50 years and Mr. Newlin’s claims look even sillier. Whites were 90 percent of 1975 Princeton. Black Princetonians, 5 percent, Asians 3 percent, and Hispanics less than one percent. See a trend?

Do you know when the Black population was 20 percent? Never.

The Black population in Princeton peak was about 12 percent in the 40s and 50s. Not my facts, but the Census’ facts. It seems Mr. Newlin was pulling a Trump with “alternative facts.”

Playing the race card is despicable. The project should be considered on its merits. Subtract the racist dog whistles and we are let with no compelling reason for this project and many compelling reasons to consign it to the dust bin of history. I thought those of us who live here in the Athens of New Jersey were better than that. I guess not.

Residents wanting to Defend Princeton against a cultural atrocity isn’t racist. It’s a rational response to an arrogant Council that seems to want to turn a historic farming village into Queens, New York, all to satisfy some liberal fever dream.

Real affordable housing? I lived in what my parents referred to as North Hall on the site of this planned monstrosity, then married students housing at the Seminary. I played on the lawn that was torn up to make way for apartments we don’t need to house people who aren’t poor by any stretch of the imagination. Want to find really poor people living in affordable housing? Talk to a divinity student with a wife and kid, circa 1959.

Mr. Newlin, apologize. Town Council, try defending Princeton instead of ruining it.

MARK HERR Great Road

Letters to the Editor Policy

Town Topics welcomes letters to the Editor, preferably on subjects related to Princeton. Letters must have a valid street address (only the street name will be printed with the writer’s name). Priority will be given to letters that are received for publication no later than Monday noon for publication in that week’s Wednesday edition. Letters must be no longer than 500 words and have no more than four signatures.

All letters are subject to editing and to available space.

At least a month’s time must pass before another letter from the same writer can be considered for publication.

Letters are welcome with views about actions, policies, ordinances, events, performances, buildings, etc. However, we will not publish letters that include content that is, or may be perceived as, negative towards local figures, politicians, or political candidates as individuals.

When necessary, letters with negative content may be shared with the person/group in question in order to allow them the courtesy of a response, with the understanding that the communications end there.

Letters to the Editor may be submitted, preferably by email, to editor@towntopics.com, or by post to Town Topics, PO Box 125, Kingston, N.J. 08528. Letters submitted via mail must have a valid signature.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24, 2025

4-5:30 PM

We are currently accepting applications for 2025-2026

Princeton Festival Pays Tribute to Baroque Era with a Twist of the Contemporary

Princeton Festival’s “Viva Vivaldi!” concert on Friday night, June 20 at Morven Museum & Garden’s Performance Pavilion put a new spin on music of the 18th century with compositions of Antonio Vivaldi, 20th-century Osvaldo Golijov, and in particular, the innovative and contemporary Max Richter. Joined by violinist Daniel Rowland and cellist Maja Bogdanovic, Princeton Symphony Orchestra performed works which well characterized the 18th-century European musical world, and then turned that world upside-down. To the audience under the tent at the Pavilion, the virtuoso playing

Rowland and Bogdanovic linked Vivaldi with current times through a thoughtful piece by contemporary Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov. Tenebrae for string orchestra juxtaposed themes of darkness, light, pain and serenity using melodic fragments of French composer François Couperin. Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Golijov’s music, with Rowland and Bogdanovic joining the ensemble, began in Baroque style with lower strings playing a pensive ostinato and a relentless accompaniment from cellos and double basses combined with prayerful melodies from second vio

Performing Arts

Altamura,

and

Altamura Legacy Concerts Program at Methodist Church

The Grammy-winning ensemble So Percussion will play the music of composer Steve Reich at Princeton United Methodist Church on Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m. Also on the program, which is presented by Altamura Legacy Concerts, are pianist Cristina Altamura and percussionist Adam Sliwinski, playing music for percussion and piano.

The concert marks the fourth collaboration between Legacy Arts International and the So Percussion Summer Institute.

“This summer I’m particularly excited to present So Percussion performing Steve Reich’s Music for Pieces of Wood and Drumming Part 1 on the heels of their Grammy win in February 2025,” said Altamura, artistic director. “This is also where I get to perform once a season with my husband Adam Sliwinski in piano and percussion projects that we have been developing over the years.”

So Percussion is made up of Eric Cha-Beach, Josh Quillen, Sliwinski, and Jason Treuting. They are senior lecturers at Princeton University, where they have been Edward T. Cone Performers-in-Residence since 2014. Altamura is a pianist, educator, and presenter. In 2018-19, she created a cultural exchange between the Imola Piano Academy in Italy and the music department at Princeton University.

Admission to the concert

is free, with a suggested donation of $35. The church is at Nassau Street and Vandeventer Avenue. Visit legacyartsinternational.org.

Two Couples are Focus Of Shakespeare’s Comedy

William Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing is on stage at the Heritage Center Theatre in Morrisville, Pa. through June 29.

The tale of love and deception is set in sunny Messina, where gossip turns into game and romance is both celebrated and sabotaged. The play centers on two couples: the witty adversaries Beatrice and Benedick, who exchange verbal barbs, and the sweethearts Hero and Claudio, whose path to the altar is threatened by villainous trickery.

This year’s production is envisioned as a continuation of last season’s Love’s Labour’s Lost , reuniting many of the same actors in reimagined roles that follow their characters into new romantic misadventures.

“When last we met in Shakespeare land, our intrepid heroes and heroines of Love’s Labour’s Lost were denied a happy ending in the fragile beauty of that last Edwardian summer due to the outbreak of WWI,” said director George Hartpence. “We couldn’t let that injustice stand, so it was decreed that our next show would reunite the lovers and allow their romances to take their natural courses.”

This production transports audiences to world of the

1920s, blending Shakespeare’s sharp-tongued wit with the glamour and energy of the Jazz Age.

“The decadence and debauchery of the Jazz Age is the perfect setting for this particular Shakespearean romcom because, of all his works, this is the one that truly celebrates true, undeniable love the most and doesn’t shy away from throwing in a generous dose of the kind of wit, romance, and excess that often accompanies that kind of passion,” said producer and choreographer Cat Milone.

The Heritage Center Theatre is located at 635 North Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, Pa., near the Calhoun Street Bridge. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

For tickets or additional information, visit actorsnetbucks.org.

Choral Collective Sings

At All Saints Church

Convoco, a project-based, professional choral collective based in Philadelphia, will perform “Not One Sparrow is Forgotten,” a program featuring works of Barber, Briggs, DiOrio, Pärt, Purcell, Taverner, and other composers on Sunday, June 29 at 4 p.m. at All Saints Church, 16 All Saints Road. Admission is free, and donations are accepted.

The ensemble’s core of 13 musicians work in the New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas. They share a passion for small

edu

cation, and community engagement.

This season, Convoco has focused on works by living composers. This has included several recording projects (stay tuned), concerts, and a continued residency at Drew University, where the choir works with the University’s composition students.

Recent seasons have included a tour of the MidAtlantic region, a residency at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute, and several concerts in the Philadelphia area. Future projects include new works by living composers as well as motets and madrigals from the preBaroque.

Visit @convocoensemble for more information.

Tell them you saw their ad in

Sound Journey with Ruth Cunningham

Murray-Dodge Hall, Room 104

Princeton University

July 9th at 5:30pm

Join Ruth Cunningham , founding member of Anonymous 4 and Sound Healing practitioner, in this time of live music for meditation and introspection.

PERCUSSION AND PIANO: Cristina

left,

Adam Sliwinski are among the performers at a concert by So Percussion playing the music of Steve Reich. (Photo by Maria Grazia Fracciola)

ROMANCE AND HUMOR: Cast members in ActorsNET’s current production of “Much Ado About Nothing” dance the Charleston. The play runs through June 29 at The Heritage Center Stage.

FINAL WEEKEND AT THE FESTIVAL: A capacity audience sang and moved along with ARRIVAL from Sweden as they performed the music of ABBA at the Princeton Festival last weekend. The performance was among the final events of the season in the tent on the grounds of Morven. (Photo by Princeton Symphony Orchestra staff) ensemble singing,

Featuring gifts that are distinctly Princeton Scarf by Spriha Gupta

Summer Home Town Topics

Woodworking & Building Co.

Since 1980

Woodworking & Building Co.

Since 1980

Woodworking & Building Co.

Since 1980

Building Connections Navigating Generations

Painting by Jay McPhillips

Named Signature Image

The Art Committee at Phillips’ Mill Community Association has announced the selection of “Phillips’ Mill” by Doylestown artist Jay McPhillips as the signature image for its “96th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill.”

Each year a new signature image — an artistic representation of the historic Phillips’ Mill—is selected from works submitted by artists living within a 25-mile radius of the Mill who compete for this honor. The selected

image is used on marketing and advertising materials including posters, ads, invitations, postcards, social media, banners and more. The artwork is featured in the show and the winning artist receives a $500 honorarium.

This year’s image combines McPhillips’s trademark charm, vibrant color, and the Impressionist influence seen in much of his work.

“When I first started painting, I was greatly influenced by the work of the Pennsylvania Impressionists, and I have stuck to that,” said McPhillips.

“It is such an honor to be recognized for my image of the Phillips’ Mill, the very place, the creative hub, for such icons as William Langson Lathrop, Fern Coppedge and Daniel Garber.”

McPhillips’ art journey began in a more corporate setting — as an art director in top New York City advertising agencies where he worked on major accounts like Coca-Cola, crafting visual campaigns for global audiences. A former staffer for Comedy Central, McPhillips also designed print ads for some of the network’s most recognizable shows.

at Phillips’ Mill” will run from September 20 to October 26. Previous signature images have depicted the Mill in whimsical as well as traditional styles by artists including Jean Childs Buzgo, Patricia Allingham Carlson, Tom Gass, Joe Gyurcsak, John C. Mertz, Pam Miller, Donna Ruane Rogers, Francisco Silva, Luiz Villela, and Steve Zazenski. Some of those images can be seen in the archives of past exhibitions on the Mill’s website at phillipsmill.org/art/ art-exhibition-archives.

Phillips’ Mill Community Association is located at 2619 River Road in New Hope, Pa. For more information, visit phillipsmill.org.

at 51 North Stockton Street. Along the way, TCAT has empowered dozens of artists to find their voice, build community, and turn struggle into beauty.

According to a press release, this retrospective brings together artwork from across the 25-year journey and features both longtime and emerging artists and focuses on the evolution of TCAT and the lives it’s touched through the healing power of art. These works are more than just paintings or drawings — they are stories, scars, dreams, and declarations.

“From the Streets to the Studio” is the first event of the Summer of TCAT series — a season-long celebration of everything TCAT has achieved.

More information on the Trenton Community A-Team can be found at tcateam.org.

TAWA is a Greater Trenton nonprofit organization and has a 40-year history organizing exhibits in such venues as the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton City Museum, Artworks Trenton, Prince Street Gallery in New York City, and more.

More information on the Trenton Artists Workshop Association can be found on the organization’s Facebook page.

The Trenton Free Public Library is located at 120 Academy Street. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the library, call (609) 392-7188.

“PHILLIPS’ MILL”: This painting by Doylestown, Pa., artist Jay McPhillips has been selected as the Signature Image for the “96th Annual Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill,” on view this fall at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.

Jay McPhillips

“CELESTIAL

Davis Artist Talk at Princeton Public Library

Artist and illustrator Rashad Malik Davis will give a talk at the Princeton Public Library on Monday, June 30, at 7 p.m. at an opening reception for “Celestial Bodies: Black Queer Identity in Precolonial Africa.”

The exhibit will be on view in the Reading Room June 30 through August 18.

“Celestial Bodies” features a collection of five 24-by36-inch acrylic paintings on canvas that represent reallife figures and deities from indigenous African spiritual systems. It also includes four masks cut out of wooden

panel board, each measuring roughly 20 inches high and 8 inches wide.

The exhibit “seeks to understand how Africans of various cultures and ethnic groups not only viewed but celebrated individuals and narratives that we would recognize today as within the LGBTQIA+ realm,” said the artist.

As the library’s Maker in Residence this summer, Davis will also lead a series of workshops where rising sixth- through ninth-graders will create large, moving, fantasy creatures out of cardboard. Workshops will be August 12-14, at 1 p.m.

book Sunne’s Gift. His selfpublished work, Carefree, Like Me!: Chapter 1 – Root the Brave, won the 2017 Best Indie Book Award in the Children’s Category, and his second book, Carefree, Like Me! Chapter 2: Sacra the Joyous, followed in 2018. The seven-part series has themes of cultural diversity and inclusion, fantasy, empathy, and emotional literacy throughout, and is inspired by his own life experiences with his real-life best friend, his connection to his spirituality, and his love of adventure tales.

For more information, visit princetonlibrary.org.

Area Exhibits

Art@Bainbridge, 158 Nassau Street, has “Roberto Lugo: Orange and Black” through July 6. Artmuseum. princeton.edu.

Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Celebrating Color and Light” through July 6. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com.

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.

Gourgaud Gallery, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, has “Peace and Tranquility” July 2 through July 30. An opening reception is on July 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Cranburyartscouncil. org.

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

Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Mirrored Hues” and “Places Near and Far” through July 19. Artscouncilofprinceton.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.

Phillips’ Mill, 2619 River Road, New Hope, Pa., has “The Selma Burke Invitational African American Art Show” through June 29. Phillipsmill.org.

Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has photographs by Rebecca DePorte through July 1. Smallworldcoffee.com.

West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “Faculty and Student Art Show” through June 28. Westwindsorarts.org.

in the Community Room. Registration is required and opens July 26.

Also this summer, Davis will create art and interact with visitors in the main lobby of the library on two dates in August to be announced.

Rider Furniture

“I’m so excited to share my first large scale exhibition with the Princeton Public Library and its community at large,” said Davis. “And I especially look forward to my workshop creating fantastical creatures and mythological beasts with young artists, too.”

Davis is the illustrator of the bestselling children’s

BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

2”: Artist Rashad Malik Davis, whose work is shown here, will speak at the Princeton Public Library on Monday, June 30, at 7 p.m. at the opening reception for his new exhibition, “Celestial Bodies: Black Queer Identity in Precolonial Africa.”

Town Topics

Wednesday, June 25

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens . Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton in the outside seating area of McCaffrey’s, 310 Harrison Street.

7:30-10 p.m.: Princeton Country Dancers sponsors a Contra Dance at the Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive. Christie Riehl with Crossing the Millstone. Princetoncountrydancers.org.

Thursday, June 26

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Nook & Fern takes part in the Nassau Artist Pop-Up at Small World Coffee, 254 Nassau Street. Handmade and antique items for the home. Smallworldcoffee.com.

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.:

Beyond Words 1: Pearls of Wisdom, free familyfriendly workshop especially for those impacted by cancer. A nurturing space for creative self-expression and connection guided by therapist Deborah Rice and inspired by artwork of Priscilla Snow Algava to explore themes of resilience, hope, and healing. At West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road. Westwindsorarts.org.

Mark Your Calendar

11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.: 33rd Annual Volley for SERV tennis/pickleball/golf tournament at Cobblestone Creek Country Club, 2170 Lawrenceville Road (Route 206). Servbhs.org.

7:30 p.m.: The Ivalas String Quartet performs works by Haydn, Skye, and Ravel at Richardson Auditorium. Free. Tickets.princeton.edu.

7:30 p.m.: “Devastation on the Delaware: Stories and Images of the Deadly Flood of 1955,” online talk by Mary Shafer, drawing from her book of that title. Sponsored by the Delaware River Greenway Partnership. Followed by a Q&A. Free. Delawarerivergreenwaypartnership.org.

Friday, June 27

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 Ragtime Relics Terhuneorchards.com.

8 p.m.: The Importance of Being Earnest is performed at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $20$22. Kelseytheatre.org.

Saturday, June 28

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.

9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Fearless Women’s Summit at Purposely Eventful, 353 Route 22 East, Greenbrook. Sponsored by Princeton Research Forum. Topics range from enterprise to caregiving for women’s empowerment. Onewoman.ca/fearless-womenssummit-new-jersey-2925.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Nightbird Vintage takes part in the Nassau Artist Pop-Up at Small World Coffee, 254 Nassau Street. Smallworldcoffee.com.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Ice Cream Party and Wheat Harvest at Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Free. Live music, kids’ games, and sailboat craft on the front lawn. Howellfarm.org.

11 a.m.: Vintage Base Ball Game at Greenway Meadows Park, 275 Rosedale Road. Sponsored by the Historical Society of Princeton, the Flemington Neshanock play the Newtown Strakes. Free. Princetonhistory.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 Audio Pilot Terhuneorchards.com.

2 p.m.: Heirloom Garden Cooking for Community , at the Discovery Center, 101 East Park Street, Bordentown. Talk on how the historic garden at Point Breeze benefits the local community. $20. Drgreenway.org.

2 and 8 p.m.: The Importance of Being Earnest is performed at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $20-$22. Kelseytheatre.org.

7:30-10:30 p.m.: Princeton Country Dancers presents Contra and English dance; Judi Rivkin with Wissahickon Bridge at the Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monmouth Drive. Princetoncountrydancers.org.

Sunday, June 29

12-5 p.m.: Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Wine, food, farm strolls, and music from 1-9 p.m . by Bill O’Neal & Andy Koontz and Firefly Firefly Festival from 4-9 p.m. Terhuneorchards.com.

2 p.m.: The Importance of Being Earnest is performed at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. $20-$22. Kelseytheatre.org.

3-7 p.m.: First Annual Hot Rod Heat Wave Kingston Kar Show, 4422 Route 27, Kingston. Food trucks, live DJ, vendors, trophies, and door prizes. All years, makes, and models welcome. American, imports, exotics, classics, and antiques. Register at (732) 710-1370.

JUNE-JULY

4 p.m.: Convoco performs “Not One Sparrow is Forgotten,” with works by Barber, Briggs, DiOrio, Part, Purcell, Taverner, and others at All Saints’ Church, 16 All Saints Road. Free.

Monday, June 30 Recycling

Wednesday, July 2

9-11 a.m.: Land Stewardship Volunteer Session at Friends of Princeton Open Space, Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 30 Mountain Avenue. Help with invasive species removal. Register at fopos.org.

7:30 p.m.: The Bennewitz String Quartet performs works by Haydn, Janacek, and Dvorak at Richardson Auditorium. Free. Tickets.princeton.edu.

Thursday, July 3

6:30 p.m.: The Southside Wanderers perform at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Avenue. Patriotic anthems and summer classics. Free. Registration requested. Mcl.org.

Friday, July 4

12-3 p.m.: Fourth of July Jubilee at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Artmaking, garden tours, face painting, live music, food trucks and more. Morven.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 Terhuneorchards.com.

12-6 p.m.: The Great American Vineyard Cookout at Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. Live patriotic music, burgers and dogs by Ottoburger, live reading of the Declaration of Independence, sparklers, wine. Free. Unionvillevineyards.com.

1 and 3:30 p.m.: Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Will Krakower at the Clarke House, Princeton Battlefield State Park, Mercer Street. Free.

Saturday, July 5

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 Jeff P. Terhuneorchards.com.

4 p.m.: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”: Free reading of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech at the Trent House, 15 Market Street, Trenton. Williamtrenthouse.org.

5-8 p.m.: Evening Blacksmithing at Howell Living History Farm , 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Free. Howellfarm.org.

Sunday, July 6

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 Briz Terhuneorchards.com.

2 p.m.: “George Washington Takes Command: The Journey Through Jersey, 1775,” talk by Paul Soltis at the Trent House Museum, 15 Market Street, Trenton. Free. With display of “Oh Freedom” banners. Williamtrenthouse.org.

Tuesday, July 8

9:30 and 11 a.m.: Read & Pick: Blueberries, at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Handson farm activity followed by stories. $12 per child. Terhuneorchards.com.

Wednesday, July 9

1-3 p.m.: Land Stewardship Volunteer Session at Friends of Princeton Open Space, Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 30 Mountain Avenue. Help with invasive species removal. Register at fopos.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.

7:30-10 p.m.: Contra dance at Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive. Sue Gola with Princeton Pickup Band. Princetoncountrydancers.org.

Friday, July 11

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 Jerry Steele Terhuneorchards.com.

6:30 p.m.: Formerly of Chicago, The Players perform at Mercer County Park, West Windsor. Gates open at 5 p.m. $5 ($25 for full season pass). Mercercounty.org.

7:30 p.m.: The Galvin Cello Quartet performs works by Mozart, Debussy, Beethoven, Paganini, and others at Richardson Auditorium. Free. Tickets.princeton.edu.

Saturday, July 12

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.

9-11 a.m. and 12-2 p.m.: Land Stewardship Volunteer Session at Friends of Princeton Open Space, Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 30 Mountain Avenue. Help with invasive species removal. Register at fopos.org.

9:30 a.m.: Free walk along the Lawrence Hopewell Trail . For meeting point and route, visit lhtrail.org.

Produce, Grain, Hay, Livestock, and Beehives Are Big Parts of Abma’s Family Farm’s Success

“The number of customers continues to grow, and we are very encouraged. We love to see them enjoying the farm.”

and saves time “quarterback”

“ F arming is not a career, it is a way of life,” emphasizes the mission statement of Abma’s Farm. “We are deeply rooted in the generations of farmers before us, and devote our lives to this tradition.

“More than anything,” it continues, “Abma’s is about family — yours and mine — and sharing the unique experience of living and working on a farm with you and your children. During planting season, harvest season, and beyond, it is our goal to reconnect you with us (your local farmer) through education, events, social media, and more.”

IT’S NEW To Us

Abma’s Farm, located at 282 Amwell Road in Hillsborough, is indeed unique. Not only is it a family farm with nearly 100 years of history and tradition, it is a widespread operation with 800 acres. Its focus is providing healthy choices for customers, serving the community, and continuing the tradition established by its founder Barney Abma.

Arriving in the U.S. from the Netherlands in 1929, he established a poultry farm in Wykoff. Each succeeding generation has continued the tradition, and now his great-grandson, Jimmy, and his wife Anna, are in charge of the Hillsborough location. The farm, a branch of the original Wykoff farm, opened in 2019, with the farm store a more recent addition in 2024.

Four Generations

“There are four generations represented, and a fifth with the children,” says Anna. “The kids love the farm and come to help after school, on weekends, and in the summer.”

Regarding the move from Wykoff to Hillsborough, Jimmy explains, “We wanted to expand, and we needed more land. Now, we grow produce, hay, grain, and straw. We also have pastureraised livestock, including cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, and goats as well as eggs from our hens.

“This is a working farm,” he continues, “and it is open to the public. Everything is transparent, and people can see how the animals are cared for in a humane and ethical way.”

In addition, the farm has thriving beehives which are available for the public to view. “People can observe the hives, and even see the queen,” reports Jimmy. The resulting raw honey, slightly filtered, is a very popular item in the farm store.

As both a retail and wholesale operating, Abma’s provides a full range of products for its farm market in Hillsborough and Wykoff, and its various markets in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, including 80 different retail outlets.

The produce includes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables: lettuce, tomatoes, kale, peppers, potatoes, peas, beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, strawberries, watermelon, and much more.

Locally-Grown

The farm also participates in the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which offers a weekly subscription or crop share for a season’s worth of sustainable, locally-grown produce. CSA members enjoy the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables each week, while supporting their local farmer.

“We have 400 CSA members now, and we look forward to even more soon,” reports Anna. “They join for 21 weeks, and come each week to pick up their produce, which has been harvested that very day, ensuring the best quality and nutritional value.

“CSA members know where and how their food is grown, and have an open line of communication with us. It is so important to educate people, including kids, about the food they eat, how it is grown, and also about the animals.”

Indeed, a source of great pleasure to customers at Abma’s Farm is the petting zoo. Visitors are able to mingle with a wide array of animals. Goats, sheep, donkeys, alpacas, cows, pigs, peacocks, emus, and ducks are all at home on the farm. Visitors can see newly-born piglets, baby lambs, and more.

Special events for children ages 5 and older include one-on-one animal encounters with a four-legged farm friend. From April through August, special “Calf Feeding and Cuddle Time” offers opportunities to bottle-feed, cuddle, groom, and play with a baby calf. This is a chance for children to learn about calf care and farm life.

The zoo is also open free of charge to grandparents on “Grandparents Day” every Wednesday.

Summer Camp

In addition, a six-week camp for kids, ages 5 to 10, will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting July 14. Through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, campers will develop a respect for farming, while having fun outdoors. Daily activities include animal care and handling, scavenger hunts, “fun” farm chores, and more.

Throughout the year, a variety of other events are offered, including hayrides, a Strawberry Festival, Christmas holiday activities, and autumn pumpkin-picking parties. Currently, visitors are able to pick strawberries in the strawberry patch.

The farm store is a favorite stop for many customers, and it offers a full selection of fruits and vegetables as well as baked goods including bread, pies, cakes, and donuts from the farm’s own bakery.

“Tomatoes and strawberries are favorites now, and so is the meat,” says Jimmy. “We also have specialties, such as bologna, liverwurst, pork roll (Taylor Ham), and Canadian bacon, also very popular. Our own jams, honey, and other gourmet specialties are in demand too.”

The farm also has a wonderful selection of flowers and plants, including annuals and perennials of all kinds, also herbs, grown in the farm’s greenhouse. The colorful vista they provide is an appealing attraction as people visit this special farm.

Jimmy and Anna are pleased that more and more customers are coming to the farm, and from as far away as Staten Island and Long Island, N.Y. in addition to those from the nearby area.

Sustainable Agriculture

Always at the forefront is Abma’s commitment to providing the best produce, meat, and poultry for their customers, and within a humane environment for their animals, while pursuing sustainable practices helpful to the environment.

As the mission statement points out, “We believe in sustainable agriculture and sustainable practices that protect the environment, expand the earth’s natural resource base, and maintain and improve soil fertility.”

Practices they utilize to achieve these goals are: crop diversity (75 different types of crops); crop rotation; weed control (without herbicides); integrated pest management (using beneficial insects, such as lady bugs and beetles to control pests); cover crops (to reduce soil erosion); water management and conservation; and a reduced carbon footprint (by selling directly to the consumer rather than a distribution center or grocery store, thus reducing packaging waste, fuel consumption, and transportation pollution).

Faith, Family, Farm

A strong sense of family and a strong faith were essential Abma’s Farm’s values from the beginning, and have been fundamental to the succeeding generations through the years.

“We are absolutely blessed to do what we love every

FAMILY TRADITION:

our fresh produce, meat, and poultry, and invite them to see our beehives and visit the animals in the petting zoo.”

single day. We find contentment in the hard work, sweat, and tears put into keeping our family farm alive and thriving. We find joy in trusting God. We find joy in serving our community. We farm to feed our families, our community, and our world.

“Faith, Family, Farm. These are the core values

that bind us together, generation after generation.”

Abma’s Fam is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For further information, call (908) 292-0278, Visit the website at abmasfarm.com. Tickets for events and the petting zoo should be purchased online in advance.

—Jean Stratton

Anna and Jimmy Abma, who are in charge of Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough, are shown with their children, who are the fifth generation of this special farm’s tradition. “We are all very proud of our family farm and enjoy introducing everyone to

FARMING IS FUN! These fledging farmers are enjoying an “up close and personal” moment with free-range chickens at Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough. Visitors to the farm enjoy the chance to mingle with the many animals, browse in the farm store, and see the beautiful array of annual and perennial flowers,

S ports Ending his Tiger Men’s Track Career on a High Note, Rodman Takes 4th in the 800 at NCAA Outdoor Meet

Sam Rodman came into Princeton University on a high and left on another.

Between those highlights was a battle back from an injury and results that could have cost him confidence.

Facing a stacked field in the men’s 800-meter final at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. on June 13, the Princeton senior swung out into the second lane around the final stretch and fought to a fourth-place fin ish and first-team All-Amer ican honors.

“I think I came in with the slowest PR, so part of me was like, just don’t get lapped,” said Rodman, who took seventh in the NCAA Outdoor 800 as a freshman. “But also I knew I could come away with something good because I’ve been trending upwards the whole year. So I was really excited with that excellent way to cap off my time at Princeton.”

Rodman is the highest finisher in the 800 at the NCAA meet for Princeton in 85 years. Ed Burrowes was second in 1940. Rodman al ready had earned a special spot in the program’s his tory thanks to some incred ible performances over the final two months. It began with him first breaking the school record and his own personal record in the 800 with a 1:46.85 clocking at

the Princeton Elite Invitational on May 17.

“The PR race I ran at home like a month ago, I felt very good and I even walked away from that race knowing I had more,” said Rodman. “And then the rounds at regionals actually kind of gave me a lot of confidence because even though they weren’t super quick races, I just navigated them very well and felt very good running those times. So I knew that there was a good PR

but there were two more heats to come after him. The top two in each heat qualified automatically, and Rodman ended up advancing based on his time.

“I got very lucky and they ended up being pretty slow heats,” said Rodman. “So I made it through on time and that was like my fastest time ever and I was really excited about that because it actually felt great.”

Rodman’s advancement this year showed a part of

Rodman ran 1:47.24 in the East Regional prelimi naries and then 1:47.28 to place third in the regional finals to earn a spot in the NCAA Championships. He had good workouts leading up to nationals that further increased his confidence. His confidence was reward ed in the qualifying round of the NCAAs when he snapped his own school record with a 1:46.27 for fifth in his heat.

The lifetime best that Princ eton coach Jason Vigilante predicted he’d need, held up for a spot in the finals.

“Me and my coach, Vig, have been saying it’s prob ably going to take a PR to make the final,” said Rod man. “So I came in with the mindset knowing that I would have to run faster than I’ve ever run.”

Rodman still had some moments of trepidation. He placed fifth in his heat,

Huge selection of Weber Grills, our own delivery & set-up crew, and we even deliver to the Jersey shore Tariff-Free, all available for immediate delivery! (48-72hrs)

heats there. What followed that spring was an injury that cost him the outdoor season. It was a tough road back following that setback.

hard mentally to get back to the point of freshman year where I’m running and hav ing fun and doing all that,” said Rodman.

doubt himself more after last year. In his final race as a ju nior, he placed 24 last – in the semifinals at the East regional. It wasn’t the ideal way to go into his final year with the Tigers.

Our July 4th SALE STARTS NOW thru July 3rd

pointing year last year and then being injured the year before, I feel like the expec tations were much lower,” said Rodman. “I knew that I could PR and I knew in the back of my head that, I can make the final, I can do well in the final. But also it looks like no one’s really expecting me to go win.”

they don’t read message

boards and predictions, Rodman can’t help himself. And the predictions didn’t have him reaching the NCAA final, let alone placing in an All-America spot. It took some pressure off.

“I’ve got the slowest time going in,” said Rodman. “So there’s literally nothing to be nervous about. If I lost, that’s literally what I was slated to do. It was kind of the underdog mindset, which has been the closest to replicating freshman year because you’re a freshman, no one expects you to do crazy things. So I think that sort of underdog mindset has helped a little this year.”

All of his races came into play to make his ending at Princeton a good one. He watched as roommate Harrison Witt finished 10 th in the 1,500 meters before him to earn his third All-America honors. It was one more motivation to finish on a high.

draw on,” said Rodman.

“I’ve made this meet. I made the final my freshman year, which was just insane. Like I had zero experience, and then was injured my sophomore year and last year I was last in the second round of the region. It was me and Harrison were last and second to last actually so we came away very disappointed and wanted a lot more this year.”

And while it was the end with Princeton, it was not the end for Rodman. He still has a season of spring track eligibility after missing his sophomore spring season. He’ll use that as a graduate student at the University of Virginia studying for a masters in commerce.

“Being a senior, you just have so much experience going into these meets to

“ We ’ll live out the dream one more year and see where that takes us,” Rodman said. At Virginia, Rodman will be about an hour from his home. He’ll spend the fall cross country season training – he’s never really run college cross country – and then train and compete as an unattached individual in the indoor season. When outdoor season comes around, he will fall back on the lessons learned on the track at Princeton to produce more highlights.

“The biggest thing I’ve taken away from Princeton is that track really is a team sport,” said Rodman. “Obviously, you get to the national level and you’re out there by yourself. But I think this year and last year, I’ve really started to buy into the whole team thing. I mean, obviously we have the goal every year of winning the Ivy League championship, but we’re starting to realize that as a team, we can do well at nationals and we had a really good group this year. So I tried to focus on really just scoring as many points for the team, and that kind of takes the pressure off of it being an individual race. So I’m going to try to take that to UVA next year.”

—Justin Feil

SUDDEN SAM: Princeton University men’s track star Sam Rodman, right, speeds around a corner earlier this month in an 800-meter race at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. Recently graduated Rodman placed fourth in the 800 at the NCAA meet in 1:46.85, breaking a previous school record and setting a personal best. Rodman, who earned first-team All-American honors with his placing, is the highest finisher in the 800 at the NCAAs for Princeton since Ed Burrowes took second in 1940. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

Local family owned business for over 40 years

Wells Tree & Landscape, Inc

Taking care of Princeton’s trees

PU Sports Roundup

Princeton Women’s Hockey Names Kessel as Head Coach

Courtney Kessel has been named as the head coach of Princeton University women’s ice hockey team, Princeton Director of Athletics John Mack announced Monday.

Kessel, who spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Princeton from 2019-23, most recently was behind the bench in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) as the head coach of the Boston Fleet.

Kessel brings years of experience as a coach and leader at the collegiate, international and professional levels to the Princeton program. In addition to her time as head coach with the Fleet, she spent the 201819 season as head coach of the Toronto Furies in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League ( CWHL ).

The first head coach in Boston Fleet history, Kessel guided the Fleet to the Walter Cup Finals in 2024. She has also been part of the coaching staff for three gold-medal winning teams with Hockey Canada, includ ing a stint as assistant coach with the Senior National Team en route to a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships and serving as head coach of the 2023 U18 National Team that won gold.

Princeton, Kessel was part of a historic 2019-20 season that included Princeton’s first-ever ECAC Hockey Tournament championship. The Tigers went 26-6-1 dur ing that season, edging 1 Cornell the ECACH final.

tomatic bid to the 2020 NCAA Tournament where the Tigers were slated to be the No. 6 seed and take on

Northeastern before the COVID pandemic canceled that tournament and the entire 2020-21 season for the Ivy League.

Princeton returned in 2021-22, and made more history by becoming the first-ever No. 8 seed to knock off the No. 1 seed in the ECACH Tournament with a series win in three games at Harvard capped by a 3-2 win in Game Three. Over her three full competitive seasons with the Tigers, Kessel was part of a group that went 54-36-7 overall and 36-26-4 in the ECAC.

A 2011 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Kessel was a secondteam All-American in 2010 and was twice named firstteam All-Hockey East. She was drafted No. 6 overall by the Brampton Thunder in the 2011 CWHL Draft and went on to an international career that included three stints on the Canadian Senior National Team where she won gold in 2012 and silver medals in 2013 and 2015 at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships.

PU Men’s Golfer Fantinelli Makes British Amateur Semis Princeton University men’s golf rising senior star Rich

Rome, Italy, then advanced through the Round of 64 with a 3 and 1 win over fellow Italian Giovanni Binaghi. He then topped Isaiah Ibit of Canada 3 and 2 in the Round of 32. In the Round of 16, he defeated Germany’s Tim Wiedemeyer, 3 and 1. On Friday, Fantinelli knocked off Australia’s Billy Dowling, 4 and 3, in the quarterfinals. In the semis later that day, Fantinelli lost 4 and 3 to Ireland’s Gavin Tiernan to end his run.

Fantinelli qualified for the Amateur via his current World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) which sits at No. 313 in the world.

Men’s Water Polo’s Appeldorn Helps U.S. Juniors Take 2nd Princeton University men’s water polo rising sophomore standout Gavin Appeldorn helped the U.S. Junior National Team earn a silver medal at the 2025 World Aquatics U20 Water Polo Championships last weekend in Zagreb, Croatia.

Appeldorn and the United States lost a hard fought contest to Spain, 14-11, in the gold medal contest. Appeldorn scored a goal in the team’s 18-16 win over Hungary in the semifinals.

Appledorn, a native of Newport Beach, Calif., produced a superb freshman campaign for the Tigers, earning Honorable Mention All-America honors. He competed in all 32 games, making 19 starts and paced the Tigers with 61 drawn ejections. Appeldorn was second on the team with 52 goals and third in steals with 31 while adding 17 assists.

CANNON SHOT: Coulter Mackesy heads to goal this past spring in his senior season for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team. Mackesy scored 44 goals in his final campaign for Princeton and ended up with a career-record total of 165. After graduation, Mackesy joined the Boston Cannons of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and has made an immediate impact at the pro level. Attacker Mackesy has tallied six goals and one assist so far season as the Cannons have gotten off to a 3-1 start and are currently in first place in the PLL’s Eastern Conference.

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PHS Track Star Wilton, Tiger Girls’ Lax Standout Bornstein Are

Cthe Pick as the Town Topics’ Leading Spring Performers

ulminating one of the greatest careers in Princeton High boys’ track history, Sean Wilton competed in the shot put at the New Balance Nationals last Friday at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

Making his final throws in a PHS uniform, Wilton placed 13th with a best mark of 59’9 3/4 to add a final line to his glittering high school resume.

O n May 30, Wilton set a PHS outdoor record of 60’ 7.5 to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 championship. He also threw 166’9 in the boys’ discus for fifth place at groups, a mark that puts him third in the PHS record books. Wilton’s 62’2.25 shot put at New Balance Nationals Indoor this March stands as the best ever in school history.

Wilton came a long way over the last four years. “ When I started my freshman year, my first ever meet, I was at 40 feet, which is a very good mark for freshmen,” said Wilton. “And then from there, there’s just like a rule of thumb that you add five feet every year, so I knew I could be hitting 60 by my senior year and really I just had to keep working. I was just going to keep getting better and stronger. And once I started really getting close to it, I knew I was going to hit it very, very soon. Like my sophomore year I knew I was definitely

going to get the record at some point.”

Getting the outdoor record was a huge highlight for Wilton. “That day that I got it was just such a good feeling,” said Wilton. “That’s when you know you made it. You achieved something that no one else has in your entire school history. That was the goal. That’s the best feeling you can get in a sport like track and field. I’m very happy to leave with that record .”

PHS head coach Ben Samara was happy to see Wilton achieve that record.

“ It ’s incredible because Paul [Brennan] just had broken that record that had stood for 40 years, and we’re like, ‘ Wow, this record is going to be around forever,’ ”said Samara. “And then Sean comes along and he is the best shot putter in Princeton High School history now. And he willed it to happen, which is awesome.”

Having committed to attend Brown University and throw for its track program, Wilton is looking to make more good things happen at the college level.

“I gotta work harder,” said Wilton. “It’s a clean slate. It’s just going to be a good reset. I’m just excited for the competition. I know it’s going to be there and I’m excited to have that build back up toward senior year because right now this is where I’m supposed to be peaking. But freshman year next year it’s

just going to be a build-up year, so I’m excited for that too.”

Samara, for his part, is excited to see what Wilton does at Brown.

“I think he’s going to do some incredible things at Brown,” said Samara. “I think he’s going to be able to have almost the next evolution of Sean Wilton. He’s one who will never stop moving forward. The higher the level of competition, the more of a gamer he is.”

Wilton is proud of the level he reached at high school.

“I’m very happy with how I ended up,” said Wilton. “I know there’s more left on the table, but I can get that in college. I ’m just happy with my career. I ’ m very happy with where I’m going next. I did everything that I wanted to pretty much.”

For ending his historic PHS career with a recordbreaking and championship season, Wilton is the choice as the Town Topics’ top boy performer of the high school spring season.

Top Girl Performer

In 2024, Leah Bornstein experienced a breakout year for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team, tallying 78 points on 56 goals and 22 assists as a sophomore after scoring just seven goals with two assists in her debut campaign

But this spring, Bornstein took her game to an even higher level as she piled up a team-high 98 points on 63

goals and 35 assists and led the Tigers in ground balls (125) and draw controls (105).

Coming into 2025, Bornstein realized that she had to assume more responsibility for the Tigers.

“I have a lot bigger role this year, just because so many seniors from last year left and now we only have four seniors,” said Bornstein. “I am very grateful that I was chosen for captain this year so that is a big factor.”

Bornstein, a star guard for the PHS girls’ basketball team, believes that juggling the two sports has helped her excel this spring.

“Basketball and lacrosse are similar with the cutting, the picks, the footwork,” said Bornstein. “I love basketball. I like to use picks in lacrosse like I do in basketball or rolling like I do in basketball.”

But while Bornstein was busy on the hardcourt, she made time to keep her lacrosse skills sharp.

“Every Sunday in the winter, I would work on lacrosse to keep me ready for the season,” said Bornstein.

PHS head coach Katie Federico loved the work she got from Bornstein this season.

Leah goes 100 percent, she is the energizer bunny,” said Federico. “ She just doesn’t stop. I know that the girls feed off of that energy too which is really nice.”

In Federico’s view, an increase in confidence helped trigger Bornstein’s superb spring as she helped the Tigers go 12-10 and reach the semifinals of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament.

“Leah really grew into her leadership role this year,” said Federico. “Last year, I felt was a breakout year for her, it was huge. This year, I think she just had that confidence that she could do it and be there to make the plays. The biggest force in her having such a successful season this year was that confidence piece. She is just everywhere.”

Developing into a force who was seemingly everywhere for PHS when it came to scoring, getting ground balls and draw controls, makes Bornstein the choice as the top girl performer this spring.

Top Newcomers

Coming into this spring, Princeton Day School baseball head coach

Eric Schnepf sensed that AJ Doran would make a big impact for the squad this spring in his freshman season.

Schnepf pointed to Doran’s competitiveness and desire to be thrown into the fire of varsity ball as key qualities.

Doran showed early on that he was ready to thrive at the varsity level, going 4-for-10 at the plate in his first three games.

Building on that strong start, Doran ended up hitting .385 with team highs in homers (3) and RBIs (22) He also displayed a propensity to come through in the clutch, hitting a homer in a 1-0 win over a strong Hightstown team and a homer as eighth-seeded PDS edged top-seeded Montclair Kimberley 2-1 in the quarterfinal round of the Prep B state tournament.

Schnepf credited Doran with excelling from

beginning to end this spring as he helped the Panthers go 10-17 and advance to the Prep B semis and the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public South Jersey Group B tourney.

“AJ has been swinging a really good bat all year,” said Schnepf. “He is a big, strong kid, the ball comes off his bat real hard.” For producing as a power hitter for PDS in his freshmen season, Doran gets the nod as the top boy newcomer.

Lena Wijaya got off to a relatively slow start this spring in her debut campaign for the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team. Freshman midfielder Wijaya totaled three goals in her first five games. But getting experience and gaining confidence, Wijaya caught fire down the stretch. She tallied 10 goals and one

BORN TO RUN: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Leah Bornstein races upfield in action this spring. Junior midfielder/attacker Bornstein piled up a team-high 98 points on 63 goals and 35 assists and led the Tigers in ground balls (125) and draw controls (105) as PHS went 12-10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

TAKING HIS SHOT: Princeton High senior track and field star Sean Wilton lets the shot put fly at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Indoor Championships in late January. Wilton set a personal record of 61’00.50 in winning the shot put at the meet. Wilton went on to break that record with a heave of 62’2.25 at the New Balance Nationals Indoor this March. In the spring season, Wilton set a PHS outdoor record of 60’ 7.5 to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 championship. (Photo by Rohan Viswanathan)

assist in the team’s last six games as the Panthers went 5-1 to end for spring with a 9-9 record.

Wijaya ended up with 21 goals and three assists on the season and marked herself as a player to watch in the future.

PDS head coach Lucia Marcozzi was excited by how Wijaya progressed this spring and is expecting big things over the rest of her career.

“ Lena was phenomenal, she really found her groove, especially when we saw a lot of different defenses,” said Marcozzi. “I think she really gained her confidence getting the ball into the back of the net. She started the first four games, it took a little while for her to get going. She has a great shot, she knows how offense works. I think her confidence is just going to keep going up as she keeps playing.”

For emerging as a key offensive threat for the Panthers in her debut campaign, Wijaya is the choice as the top girl newcomer.

Top Coaches

When the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team started its 2025 season by going 0-7 under new head coach Joe Donnelly, things looked bleak.

But as the losses piled up, Donnelly didn’t get frazzled, emphasizing the positives and urging his players to keep paying attention to detail.

“One of the biggest things that we imparted on them early the season is that we have to do the little things right to achieve our big goals,” said Donnelly. “Early

in the season it was a little bit tougher of a buy-in, especially playing those teams that we are playing. But the more time we spent together, the more we focused on the flashes of greatness instead of looking at the bad parts about our games or practices and focusing on the positive as a unit. The more and more we felt comfortable working with each other and knowing that when things go wrong, it is not going to continue to go wrong.”

Things started to go right for the Raiders as the spring unfolded and they saved their best for last in the Prep state tournament. Sixthseeded Hun routed 11thseeded Oratory Prep 15-1 in a first round contest, topped third-seeded Pennington 13-5 in the quarters, defeated second-seeded Blair 11-6 in the semis, and then edged top-seeded Lawrenceville B 9-8 in a thrilling final to win the Prep crown.

In Donnelly’s view, the resilience and consistent work ethic displayed by his players led to the state run.

“They are gritty, they don’t give up, and they play with a chip on their shoulder,” said Donnelly. “For being a prep school, I think we are extremely blue collar in the way that we approach everything, from the weight room to practices and our film sessions. They have done nothing but buy in and be excited about the progress.”

Hun senior star Luke Donahue credited Donnelly with holding things together as the Raiders struggled in the early going.

“I think one thing coach Donnelly harped on us the

whole year was that we win together, we lose together, we do everything together,” said Donahue. “It doesn’t come from one individual making superstar plays, it comes from when we play together.”

Winning the Prep title was proof of concept for the Raiders.

“It is a symbol for the determination of this group,” said Donnelly, whose team ended up with a 7-13 record. “You can put your head down after struggling early in the season and just give up but that is not this team. This team is one that was 100 percent bought in. This kind of resilience and grit is what is going to continue to help us grow as a program.”

For sticking with process and helping his squad play its best when it counted the most in his first season at the helm of the program, Donnelly is the pick as the top coach of a boys’ team.

There was a special camaraderie on the Princeton High girls’ golf team this spring.

The squad’s senior star, Jacqueline Zang, pointed to that upbeat mentality as a key to her success.

“It’s just way more fun having a group of people out there that you know are rooting for you and there to support you and the girls are great and we’re all super close,” said Zang. “So practicing together and competing together, it’s just been so much fun.”

The Tigers ended up having a lot of fun collectively this season, going 8-1 in dual matches and winning the Red Devil Invitational

Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Group A sectional, and the

Public A state championship. Pictured, from left, are PHS head coach

Jacqueline

and Lady Bombers Tee-Off Classic along the way.

PHS then produced a historic postseason run which saw it place first in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Group A sectional, and the NJSIAA Public A state championship

While the Tigers featured a lot of talent throughout the lineup, PHS head coach Jess Monzo pointed to the ability of his players to keep their heads in the heat of competition as a key quality underlying their championship campaign.

“Golf’s a funny game,” said Monzo. “It’s not always the expected number one or the higher ranked team

Alice Ye, and Kyuyoung Chung.

that’s going to go out and always win. But they have the capability of doing that, so just telling them to relax and treat every stroke the same right, don’t focus on any negative shots because golf has a very big mental aspect – the mental part of golf where one bad shot will lead to several bad shots. So you have to always tell them once you hit it, you can’t worry about that one anymore.”

Echoing Zang’s thoughts, Monzo believes that the squad’s special unity paved the way to the state title.

“It’s a testament to the girls because no matter what, they really believe in each other,” said Monzo. “And I think that’s what really sets them apart and

helps them have as much success as they have had this year because they know deep down that they’re all good and if they don’t play well that someone else is going to pick it up for them if they happen to have a bad hole. Just the belief in each other really helped them perform.”

Monzo’s role in helping Tigers stay the course in producing a season for the ages makes him to top coach of a girls’ team.

—Bill Alden

STRAIGHT SHOOTERS: Members of the Princeton High girls’ golf team enjoy the moment after they placed first at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Championship this May at the Mountain View Golf Club in Ewing. The Tigers went on to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic

NJSIAA

Jess Monzo, Shreya Gaekwad, Yasna Shahriarian,

Zang,

Doing Great Things with its Group of 5 Athletes,

Wilberforce Girls’ Track Shines in State Meets

Although the Wilberforce School track team brought only five girls to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B Group Championships in late May, that quintet made a big impact.

The hardy squad of Stella Blanchard, Laura Sallade, Adeline Edwards, Gwen Mersereau, and Emily Prothero ended up placing third in the team standings, scoring 58 points to trail only champion Villa Walsh (120) and runner-up St. Benedict’s (62).

Wilberforce head coach Lois Szeliga was thrilled with how her athletes competed.

“Each girl contributed all that they could,” said Szeliga. “I just think it is very inspirational to see that these girls are giving it their all. We can do great things with a small amount of girls. They were very proud.”

Sophomore Blanchard had a great meet, taking first in the 400 meters, second in the 200, third in the 800 and helping the Wolverines win the 4x400 relay.

Last spring, Szeliga and co-head coach Kristen Yonkman discovered that Blanchard had a hidden talent for sprinting.

“Last year, we entered one race which was a sprint night at West Windsor,” said Szeliga. “She ran the 200 and was really fast. That was big surprise so I was wait a

minute, this girl has some speed. This year we made sure she ran those 200s and 400s. She also ran the 1,600 and ran the 800 because I couldn’t quite figure out what kind of athlete she was. She has a tremendous range.”

Szeliga displayed tremendous competitiveness at the Non-Public meet.

“Her dad was a Meet of Champion winner in cross country so she has that championship blood in her veins,” said Szeliga. “She was very aggressive. She was definitely gunning to win the 400 and won by quite a bit. With the 200, she edged out Govanna Burress (of DePaul Catholic) very closely to get second.”

Junior standout Sallade displayed her championship mindset, taking second in both the 800 and 1,600.

“Even though she has been such a star, this year was just another level for her,” said Szeliga of Sallade, who clocked a 2:15.24 time in the 800 and came in at 5:04.78 in the 1,600. “She just lowered her time in the 1,600 so now she is really close to that 5-minute time. She keeps getting stronger. She does a lot of work outside of track to increase her strength. She is just such a strong athlete. Her 800 time was the fastest time in Mercer County of the season.”

Sallade faced a tough

competitor in each of her races as she was edged by Villa Walsh star and Columbia University commit Maggie Boler in both.

“Her races were really thrilling, she went for it in both races; we have great competition with Villa Walsh in our Non-Public meet, they have phenomenal runners,” said Szeliga. “Laura really gave it her all. Laura knew that Maggie was going to be tough. She ended up getting two PRs and a school record in the 1,600.”

One of the team’s two seniors, Adeline Edwards, gave her all as well, finishing fifth in both the 800 and 1,600.

“Last year she missed spring track so this was her first spring season since her sophomore year,” said Szeliga, whose other senior, Gwen Mersereau, took fourth in the 400 while junior Emily Prothero took eighth in the 1,600 “She is going to be running for Emory next year. She had a very strong cross country season but I know she was really pleased at how track season came along. She is totally back and fast.”

The Wolverines produced a strong performance in the 4x400 relay as they cruised to first, posting a winning time of 4:08.93, nearly 10 seconds better than runnerup Eastern Christian.

“Of course they all love the relay, those four girls gave all they have,” said Szeliga. “It went from Gwen to Adeline to Laura to Stella.”

As for the Wilberforce boys, Szeliga loved what senior Philip Schidlovsky gave the team in the Non-Public meet as he took fifth in the 400 and helped the 4x400 relay place fifth along with John David , Micah Brox, and Camilo Cobena.

“Philip is my captain — I was really happy for him that he ran a season’s best in the 200 (24.18 in finishing 12th),” said Szeliga. “He ran his PR in the 400 (52.23), so that was a great way to go out. He anchored our 4x4 relay which also scored.”

Competing in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions to end its state competition, the Wilberforce girls produced some great efforts. The 4x400 relay clocked a time of 4:03.45 in taking 23rd while Blanchard placed 23rd in the 200 in 26.46 and 15th in the 400 in 57.76 and Sallade finished 22nd in the 800 in 2:18.50.

“The girls 4x4 set their season best by five seconds,” said Szeliga, whose 4x800 relay of Sallade, Mersereau, Blanchard, and Prothero took 44th in 9:41.80 in the Unseeded Final at the New Balance Nationals last Friday at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. “Stella got two school records from the MOC. She broke her record in the 200 and 400. Laura got 2:18 in the 800. It is such good competition and they performed really well.”

In reflecting on her team’s gritty performance at the state meets, Szeliga credited her two seniors, Mersereau and Edwards, with setting the tone.

“Gwen and Adeline were just a huge part of building our track program, they leave a legacy that is very special,” said Szeliga. “We won all of our state championships with those girls, they have been part of all of it. Gwen is so competitive and Adeline is so feisty.”

—Bill Alden

Play Smart Edges Princeton Supply in Summer Hoops, Led by McCain’s Offensive Production, Unselfish Play

After starring for the North Brunswick High boys’ basketball team, Brandon McCain emerged as a key performer last winter in his freshman season for the Mercer County Community College men’s program.

McCain, a 6’3 guard, averaged 10.7 points a game for MCCC, helping the Vikings go 13-14.

Reflecting on his debut campaign for the Vikings, McCain developed well on and off the court.

“It has been amazing,” said McCain. “I have played some good competition and made some good friends.”

McCain thrived under the tutelage of MCCC head coach Howard Levy, a former Princeton University men’s hoops star and assistant coach.

“He is a good coach,” said McCain. “He is a tough guy, he gets us going.”

This summer, the MCCC players looked to toughen themselves up by entering the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League as the “Play Smart” team.

“It is good competition,” said McCain, reflecting on Play Smart joining the league this summer. “It is get some learning experiences and get the young guys going. It is our first time in a league like this.”

Last Wednesday, as Play Smart faced two-time defending league champions Princeton Supply, it was looking to bounce back from a 76-56 loss to YSU two days earlier.

“Coming into tonight, we were looking to finish what we have to do,” said McCain. “It was play defense, play together, and move the ball around.”

Play Smart trailed Princeton Supply 30-29 at

halftime as McCain helped keep the squad close with a team-high nine points.

“At the beginning on the first half we weren’t there with them mentally,” said McCain. “I was feeling it but I wanted to get my teammates going. As soon as the second half started, we got prepared.”

Down 50-49 with 4:26 left in regulation, Play Smart got going down the stretch, producing a 11-7 run to pull out a 60-57 victory.

In assessing the win, which improved Play Smart to 2-1 this summer, McCain saw the triumph as a good step forward.

“It was pretty much hustle honestly, getting rebounds, communicating with our teammates and stuff like that,” said McCain, who totaled 12 points in the win with Jacob McCollum leading the way for Play Smart with 13. “It is definitely a confidence builder for sure. As a young team, we have to get more time together.”

While McCain was happy with his offensive production, he was more intent on facilitating things for Play Smart.

“I see my role as communicating with my teammates and being a leader,” said McCain. “I am focusing more on uplifting other people and just helping out.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the summer, McCain believes that playing in the league will help Play Smart get in synch as it looks ahead to its campaign this winter with MCCC.

“I want us to play together and play as a team,” said McCain. “I want to make sure that everybody gets the ball and that we are sharing.”

—Bill Alden

FORCE FACTOR: Members of the Wilberforce School girls’ track 4x400-meter relay are all smiles after they placed first at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B Group Championships in late May. The win by the relay helped Wilberforce place third in the team standings at the meet. Pictured, from left, are Adeline Edwards, Stella Blanchard, Gwen Mersereau, and Laura Sallade. (Photo provided by Lois Szeliga)

With PHS Star Hamerschlag Providing a Spark, Princeton Post 218 Baseball Making Progress

Chase Hamerschlag is a busy guy this summer athletically as he heads into his senior year at Princeton High. Hamerschlag competed recently for the Mercer County All-Stars in the prestigious Carpenter Cup Classic. He also plays for the PPH travel baseball program. In addition, he is will be on the PHS boys’ soccer team in a local 7-on-7 league.

Since early June, Hamerschlag has been starring for the Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball team, playing third base, hitting third in the batting order, and making an impact on the mound.

For Hamerschlag, carving out time to compete for Post

218, which has a number of PHS players on its roster, is good prep for his final campaign for the Tigers.

“I am looking to get a lot of reps, this is boning up going into our high school season,” said Hamerschlag, who stars in both soccer and baseball for PHS. “Next year I will be a senior and I hope to be a captain.”

As Post 218 hosted Hightstown Post 148 last Friday, Hamerschlag looked to get the team going as it trailed 5-0 in fourth inning. He lined a single to right field and then stole second base.

“My approach was just put it to the other side,” said Hamerschlag.

“I was pulling the ball and

it wasn’t working. I just wanted to put it through first and second and just get in and then just try to make something happen on the base path.”

While the Tigers kept battling against Hightstown, scoring a run in the sixth and getting a base runner on in the seventh, it fell 8-1.

“It was tough, they had a great defensive game,” said Hamerschlag. “Anthony Benitez had a great game for them. We were putting the ball in play, nothing was sitting down. All of the boys are swinging the bat well.”

Getting the chance to play in the Carpenter Cup was a great experience for Hamerschlag.

“Being with all of those guys, everyone is clearly very talented,” said Hamerschlag, who went 1-for-2 as Mercer lost 4-3 to Chester County (Pa.) in the first round of the competition. “It is just awesome, one, being with the guys that were on that team and also being with all of the coaches. That was just amazing.”

Princeton Post 218 manager Peter Nielsen wanted to see more from his guys in the loss to Hightstown.

“It is trying to string them together,” said Nielsen. “It is being able to produce throughout the lineup, not just one guy or two guys. It has got to be one through nine who produces.”

Nielsen credited Hamerschlag with trying to give Post 218 a spark.

“He had that one hit and tried to make something going on the base path there with that stolen base,” added Nielson.

While Nielsen was happy with the way his players kept battling against Hightstown in the late innings, he wants them to get going earlier.

“It is wanting it more and being able to compete,” said Nielsen.

“Once you get down early in the game, it is being able to chip away as we go through the game. And also put it on them early, start the game earlier and attack it earlier.”

Nick Bell competed well on the mound for Post 218 in the loss.

“Nick pitched well for us, he did a very nice job giving us four solid innings to start for us,” said Nielsen.

Post 218 has been getting solid hitting all season as the top of order from Travis Petrone, Nate Nydick, and Hamerschlag.

Local Sports

Princeton Little League Team Wins District 12 50/70 Opener

Producing a dramatic comeback, the Princeton Little League (PLL) team edged Lawrence 4-3 last Sunday at Farmview Fields to open play in the District 12 Intermediate 50/70 tournament.

Trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, PLL scored two runs in the bottom of the frame and then added two more in the bottom of the seventh to pull out the win. Alexander Reeder knocked in the winning run for PLL with a single.

Conan Odell earned the win on the mound in relief, going two-thirds of an inning, giving up no hits and no runs. Reeder went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI in the win with Michael Shaver and Alex Spies also getting one RBI each.

PLL was slated to play Lawrence in a winner’s bracket game on June 24, needing one win to win the title in the double-elimination competition which also includes Nottingham. In the event that Lawrence wins on Tuesday, there will be an ifnecessary game on June 25 to determine the victor of the tournament.

Bailey Basketball Academy Offering Summer Camps

The Bailey Basketball Academy (BBA) is offering two week-long basketball camps this summer along with other specialty hoops programs.

July 14 -18 with sessions running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., a girls’ tennis camp for players in grades 5-9 being held from June 30-July 4 with sessions running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a girls’ basketball camp for players in grades 5-9 being held from July 7-11 with sessions running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The camps are geared for beginners as well as experienced players.

One can log onto the Stuart website at stuartschool. org and go the Menu section in the upper right of the home page and hit the “Sports Camps for Girls” link under the Athletics section for more information about the camps.

NJ Wrestling Organization Holding Golf Event July 23

The New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is holding its 22nd golf outing, a shotgun/ scramble, on July 23. The event will take place, rain or shine, at Mercer Oaks Golf Club at 725 Village Road, West Windsor.

The goal of the chapter outing is to seek and raise contributions, donations and gifts to provide wrestling camp and clinic scholarships to deserving youth who seek to improve and enhance their skills and love for the sport of amateur wrestling. As a result of those efforts, the chapter will also make contributions to selected veterans and relief organizations such as the NJ Vietnam Memorial, as well as children’s hospitals such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House.

HAMMERING IT OUT: Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball player Chase Hamerschlag makes contact last Monday as Princeton hosted South Brunswick Post 401 at Smoyer Park. Hamerschlag, a rising Princeton High senior, went 1 for 2 with a run in the game as Post 218 won 9-6. Princeton, who improved to 2-5 with the victory, plays at Bordentown Post 26 on June 26, plays at Hightstown Post 148 on June 27, hosts Broad Street Park Post 313 on June 28, hosts Trenton Post 83/192 on June 30, and then plays at Lawrence Post 414 on July 1. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)

“Travis has had some big games, he has been able to produce some stuff for us at the top of the order,” said Nielsen. “Chase has been able to produce for us. Nate has had a good start. Everyone just needs to string them together, that is all it is.”

With Post 218 playing at Bordentown Post 26 on June 26, playing at Hightstown Post 148 on June 27, hosting Broad Street Park Post 313 on June 28, hosting Trenton Post 83/192 on June 30, and then playing at Lawrence Post 414 on July 1, Nielsen is looking for his players to give their all.

“They are keeping their heads up, being able to stay in it,” said Nielsen, whose club defeated South Brunswick Post 401 9-6 on Monday in moving to 2-5. “Everyone is into it. It is a team game, there is not one guy who can be the producer and be the showstopper for everyone.”

Hamerschlag is confident that Post 218 will stay with things to the end of the season.

“We do battle as a team, from one through nine, we hit,” said Hamerschlag, who went 1 for 2 in the win over South Brunswick and is now batting .400 with six runs and two RBIs so far this summer. “Everyone wants be here and everyone is trying their hardest. Everyone has the same goal and that is to win.”

—Bill Alden

BBA is led by former Princeton Day School girls’ hoops coach and Philadelphia 76ers camp director and clinician Kamau Bailey.

The camps are slated for June 30-July 3 and July 2125 at the Princeton Middle School.

There are full day camps for ages 9-14 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and half day camps from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

In addition, there will be First Hoops options for ages 5-8 (9 to 11:45 a.m.).

BBA will also offer Shot Doctor shooting instruction and small group player development daily sessions from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting June 24 and running through August 15 (excluding camp dates) for players getting ready for middle school, high school, or club participation. The daily workouts will be held at the newly-built BBA outdoor basketball courts at 3752 Highway 27 in Princeton.

All players will be required to bring their own water, snacks, and/or lunch for the applicable programs.

For more information, contact Kamau Bailey at (917) 626-5785 or at kamau .bailey@gmail.com

Stuart Sports Camps Still Have Openings

The Stuart Country Day School is holding three sports camps on its campus at 2100 Stuart Road in Princeton in July and there are still openings for the programs.

There will be a field hockey camp for players in grades 3-9 being held from

The golf package includes brunch and registration (7:45-8:45 a.m.), green fees, cart, practice range, putting contest, locker, giveaways, prizes, and silent auction as well as a buffet dinner.

The cost for foursomes is $635, individuals $170, dinner-only $75, and raffles $20. Players 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult player. Singles and pairs have to contact the golf chairman for arrangements. Foursomes are not required to do so.

Any golf questions should be directed to Chair Ken Bernabe at bernabekenjb@ aol.com (732) 991-3984. Tee, flag, and meal sponsorships are as follows: $300 brunch; $500 dinner; $200 flag; $100 tee. Mail all sponsorships to Ed Glassheim, golf assistant chair, 1210 WhitehouseHamilton Square Road, Apt. #3, Hamilton, NJ 08690. Or contact h im at (609) 9475885 or glassheim@yahoo. com

Golf registration and payment can be sent to Glassheim’s a ddress with check payable to NWHF-NJGOLF by June 27, or pay by ZELLE to Bill Miron at (908) 872-3520.

Carol P. Herring

August 13, 1939 –June 9, 2025

Carol P. Herring, a visionary leader in her industry who spearheaded challenging and ambitious fundraising campaigns for esteemed organizations including Rutgers University, Princeton University, Barnard College

and the Asia Society, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 9 at home after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. In her final days, she was surrounded by the love of her extended family, who were always visiting.

Born in New York City on August 13, 1939, Carol grew up in Larchmont, New York. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1961 with a degree in English. While in college, she married her high school sweetheart, H. James (Jim) Herring. Their marriage flourished for 65 years.

Though family was the cornerstone of her life, Carol built a remarkable career in fundraising and development for major academic institutions and nonprofit foundations for over 40 years. Her final professional role was as President of the Rutgers Foundation and Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, from which she retired at age 74. There, she led a team of over 180 and substantially expanded Rutgers fundraising, especially the

state withdrew 90 percent of its funding. Her hallmark achievement was leading the university’s first $1 billion campaign through completion, serving under two presidents.

Carol’s first job was at Harvard Business School as a grader in a required writing course for first year MBA students. After moving to Princeton in 1962 for Jim’s Ph.D. studies, she began working as a writer at Educational Testing Service (ETS). In 1964, she began her family — Jamie, Matthew, and Katharine.

Seeking flexible work while raising young children, she took on freelance editorial roles for publications such as AAA Spotlight, Laundry and Cleaning World , and Dairy Industry News . As her children grew older, she returned to full-time work. In 1975, Carol was hired by Princeton University’s President Bill Bowen as his speechwriter, where she not only crafted speeches but also managed extensive correspondence with alumni, gaining deep insights into university operations and alumni relations.

Following President Bowen’s retirement, Carol transitioned into the university’s development office — regarded as one of the best in academia — eventually becoming Director of Leadership Gifts. Recognizing limited advancement opportunities in the maledominated environment of the time, Carol pursued a leadership role at Barnard College. As Vice President for Development from 19902000, serving under two presidents and cultivating

relationships with alumnae and led a capital campaign.

Seeking new challenges, she joined the Asia Society. There she restructured its development office during a period of heightened U.S.–Asia interest to provide 90 percent of the operating capital of the Society. Although she loved the worldwide travel and continued to be an important part of her life, the long commute took its toll. So when Rutgers University launched a search for a new chief development officer, Carol answered the call and remained there for eight years until retirement.

Although she declared each of her last three positions to be her “last,” Carol’s drive and curiosity continued to pull her toward new opportunities. Even in retirement, she remained active in the nonprofit world, serving as Chairman of the Princeton Area Community Foundation and on the board of Princeton Day School.

Carol nurtured a rich and enduring network of relationships that spanned her personal, professional, and academic worlds. She was particularly devoted to mentoring young women in their careers. From childhood friends and Wellesley classmates to colleagues, nonprofit partners, and a beloved birthday group that celebrated together for over 40 years, she remained a source of warmth, humor, and support. She frequently found the time to be a gracious and welcoming hostess to her friends in Princeton and Wareham, MA, where her ability to read rooms and make people comfortable always

added to the enjoyment of her guests. In quieter moments, she would lose herself in novels — often finishing one or two in a single weekend.

Still, nothing brought her more joy than family. She delighted in organizing lively gatherings, staying closely involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives, always asking questions and sharing her infectious laugh. The wonderful traditions of having her entire extended family join together for a week each summer in Wareham and on Christmas Day in Princeton were sources of tremendous joy and cherished memories to generations of her family.

Carol is survived by her beloved husband Jim; their children and their spouses or partners — Kathy, Amy, and Craig; and nine grandchildren: Keely, Lucy, Maggie, Griffin, Shepard, Harlan, Didier, Charles, and Keene. She is also survived by her brother and sister-inlaw, Alan and Kathryn Parter, their children — Alison (Jonathan), Evan, Amy, and Rebecca (Ashley) — and her cousin and husband, Nancy and Larry Nathan.

Carol will be remembered as a vibrant, engaging presence who brought energy and insight to every conversation. Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 29 at 4 p.m. at the Nassau Club in Princeton, NJ. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Parkinson’s Research Program to support continued advancements in treatment and care.

Donor Link: raise.rutgersfoundation.org/CarolHerring. Please visit Carol’s Memorial Wall and share your favorite memories and photos/videos of Carol so her memory can live on for her family, friends, and the community.

Carol’s Memorial Wall: online-tribute.com/CarolHerring.

Robert Wayne Wever

We pride ourselves on being a small, personal, and service oriented family business. With five generations of experience, we are here to help guide you through the difficult process of monument selection. We encourage you to make an appointment, with no obligation, to discuss the many options available to you.

Robert Wayne Wever, 82, of Lancaster, formerly of Holtwood, PA, and Princeton, NJ, went home to his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, following a long decline. He was the loving husband of the late Carol L. (Heffie) Wever, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage at the time of her passing in 2019. Born in Miami, FL, he was the son of the late Robert and Doris (Miller) Wever. An only child, Wayne became involved in athletics, music, and church activities. In high school he excelled academically, in track and field, and as a football quarterback. He went on to earn a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Princeton University in 1965 and a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1969. Wayne served as Director of the Princeton Christian Fellowship (formerly Princeton Evangelical Fellowship) in New Jersey for 27 years, and, after moving to Lancaster County, served as Director of Men’s Ministry for Water Street Mission, retiring in 2006. He served as an Elder at Westerly Road Church (now Stone Hill Church) in Princeton and at Providence Church in New Providence, PA. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Kerr, of Willow Street, and Sarah Waterman, and her husband Roger, of Seattle, WA, and his grandchildren, Josiah Kerr, Carson Waterman, and Kailee Waterman. In addition to his wife and his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Steven Wever, and a son-in-law, Ken Kerr.

We pride ourselves on being a small, personal,

We pride ourselves