HPC Recommends Zinder Firm’s Addition Proposal To Zoning Board 8
Stacy Young, “Homegrown” Princetonian, Named New Principal at Johnson Park 14
A Day of Recycling with Katherine Mansfield and The Lonely Hunter 21
Westminster Community Orchestra Concludes Season with Tribute to Vienna 22
Ending Her PU Open Crew Career on a High Note, Barry Helps 2nd Varsity Eight Take Third At NCAAs 27
With Mathewson Showing Progress at 1st Singles, PHS Boys’ Tennis
Advances to Sectional Semifinal 30
Pride Parade, No Kings Day Rally, And More on June 14
The town of Princeton will be packed with residents and visitors on Saturday, June 14, with the annual Pride Parade starting at 11 a.m. and marching up Witherspoon Street to the YMCA for an AfterParty; then from 3:30 to 5 p.m. there will be a “No Kings Day: Nationwide Day of Defiance” rally in Monument Park at 1 Monument Drive sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA), Indivisible Princeton, and the Princeton Community Democratic Organization.
“On June 14 we will stand up together,” states the Indivisible Princeton press release. “No thrones, no crowns, no kings.” The anti-Trump demonstration will take place in front of the Battle of Princeton Monument, which features a large image of George Washington.
“What an appropriate place to have a No Kings rally,” said CFPA Executive Director Rev. Robert Moore. “That’s what he was against. George Washington fought the Battle of Princeton to prevent America from being ruled by kings. He said, ‘No, we’re going to be a democracy. We’re not going to be a monarchy.’ He fought for a democratic government in this country.”
More than 20 other No Kings protests are planned across the state and hundreds more throughout the country for the same day. As of June 2, more than 700 had pre-registered for the Princeton No Kings event.
In addition to Pride events and No Kings Day, June 14 is also Flag Day, a national holiday, and it’s President Trump’s 79th birthday, with thousands of troops preparing to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s birthday with an Army Birthday Parade in the nation’s capital.
“Donald Trump wants tanks on the streets and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday — hijacking Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s birthday,” states a CFPA press release. “Let’s remember what that flag really stands for and that the U.S. Army was formed to stand up to a king.”
It continues, “We’ll join activists across the country to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics and make action everywhere else the story of America that day. The flag doesn’t belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us.”
Continued on Page 12
Early Voting Is Underway for June
Tuesday, June 3 marked the start of early voting leading up to Primary Election Day next Tuesday, June 10. With six candidates in the Democratic gubernatorial primary and five candidates in the race for the Republican nomination for governor, the competition is fierce.
Michelle Pirone Lambros and Mia Sacks, who are both running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for a third term on Princeton Council, with no Republican opposition on the ballot, are emphasizing the importance of this primary and the general election in November.
“The New Jersey gubernatorial race is more than just an election — it is a referendum on our core Democratic values,” Sacks wrote in an email.
“We must protect our democracy at both the local and the state levels,” said Lambros. “Given the current administration’s assault on democratic values, this election is critical — both the primary, where we choose the Democratic nominee, and the general election, where we must ensure their victory.”
She continued, highlighting the role of the next New Jersey governor to follow Phil Murphy, who is barred by term limits from running again. “Electing a Democratic governor is essential to preserving the programs and services that
keep our communities safe and support our most vulnerable residents,” said Lambros. “The recent end of the party line in New Jersey was a historic step forward — one that empowers voters and strengthens our democracy. It also makes this primary election especially important, with a diverse field of candidates offering meaningful choices.”
The termination of the party line ballot design makes for a more competitive race, with candidates who have been
endorsed by their county’s political parties no longer given more prominent placement on the ballot.
The core Democratic values that are on the line in this election according to Sacks include “protecting the environment, advancing sustainability, standing up for the rights of immigrants, ensuring due process and an impartial judiciary, expanding access to affordable housing, and addressing longstanding inequities that disproportionately impact communities of color.”
Students at Foundation Academies To Partner with Battlefield Society
Among those who fought at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1776, were at least 14 Black soldiers from different states. Little has been known about these men, who marched from Trenton to Princeton in the freezing weather, wearing threadbare coats — and no shoes.
A joint project of the Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) and Foundation Academies of Trenton aims to honor these unsung patriots by researching just who they were, and the contributions they made. The partnership is part of the PBS “Men Without Shoes” research project. Leading up to next year’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, scholars
from the school’s Black Student Union, who are in grades 9-12, will begin work on the project in the fall.
“We’ll explore the lives and contributions of the African American soldiers, focusing on the battles of Trenton and Princeton,” said Isiah Jones, who teaches social studies at Foundation Academies and will advise the students on research.
“Especially with the American Revolution, the more commonly known information [about Black soldiers] is about people like Crispus Attucks, who was shot in the Boston Massacre. But history doesn’t tell us about the history of African Americans
STRAWBERRIES GALORE: The Arena family of Brooklyn, N.Y., were among the visitors last weekend at the Strawberry Festival at Terhune Orchards. Attendees share their favorite ways to enjoy strawberries in this week’s Town Talk on page 6.
(Photo by Angela Lorenz)
sought after details. First floor rooms flow seamlessly into one another and onto a large porch, facilitating warm weather entertaining.
This important home has a circular driveway and is located on almost an acre of land with a three car garage and is waiting for a new owner to make it their own.
neighborhoods, within a short walk to town, the University and other cultural venues, this classic Federalist home embodies the community's history of sophistication. A grand, inviting hallway with a fireplace opens to the spacious living and dining rooms suitable for the most elegant entertaining. Built in a period of skilled craftsmanship, these well-proportioned rooms have high ceilings, deep moldings and other sought after details. First floor rooms flow seamlessly into one another and onto a large porch, facilitating warm weather entertaining. This important home has a circular driveway and is located on almost an acre of land with a three car garage and is waiting for a new owner to make it their own.
Offered at $2,450,000
Offered at $2,450,000
Set in one of Princeton's most prestigious neighborhoods, within a short walk to town, the University and other cultural venues, this classic Federalist home embodies the community's history of sophistication. A grand, inviting hallway with a fireplace opens to the spacious living and dining rooms suitable for the most elegant entertaining. Built in a period of skilled craftsmanship, these well-proportioned rooms have high ceilings, deep moldings and other sought after details. First floor rooms flow seamlessly into one another and onto a large porch, facilitating warm weather entertaining.
This important home has a circular driveway and is located on almost an acre of land with a three car garage and is waiting for a new owner to make it their own.
Perched on a wooded lot with mature trees and plantings, this wonderful house is offered for the first time! Designed in partnership with well-respected builder, Russ Baltzer, and the current owners, it is a glorious combination of form and function, providing the excitement of incredible views, tons of light, and beautiful built-ins. The large eat-in kitchen has numerous upgrades, including granite counters, custom backsplashes, double ovens, all adjacent to a delightful screened porch. Vaulted ceilings and two decks encourage everyone to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and four bedrooms enable everyone to have their own private space, with two bedrooms having a cool loft. Huge living room and generous sized study ensure that games can be played, books can be written, and guests can be entertained with ease. Walls of windows create an intimate relationship with the outside, yet maintain the comfort of privacy just minutes from town. After decades of conscientious care for their house, these owners are passing the torch to the next generation. Do not miss seeing this extraordinary Princeton home! $1,125,000
MARKETED BY
MARKETED BY
Judith Stier
Judith Stier Sales Associate Direct Line: 609.240.1232
Associate Direct Line: 609.240.1232
Offered at $2,450,000
MARKETED BY: Robin Wallack Broker Associate Cell: 609.462.2340 robin.wallack@foxroach.com
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
On June 25 in the outside seating area of McCaffrey’s Market, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street.
Young Musicians Sought: The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra is looking for exceptional young musicians to join its advanced summer session program. Weekly sessions are Monday evenings. Auditions are June 9 and 16. Repertoire includes music from operas by Puccini, Verdi, and Bizet. Visit gpyo.org.
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.
609.924.5400 ext. 30 or subscriptions@ witherspoonmediagroup.com
Cadwalader Park Alliance Invites Public To Share Memories and Photos of the Park
When Becky Taylor and her husband moved to Trenton’s Hiltonia neighborhood eight years ago, Cad -
Park was in a state of decline. The 109.5-acre
expanse of majestic trees and winding paths — right across the street from their house — was designed in the late 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of American landscape architecture and the designer, with Calvert Vaux, of New York’s Central Park.
As a co-founder of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail’s network of walking and biking paths, Taylor knew how to mobilize people to revive and rehabilitate green space. She soon had local residents and environmentalists hard at work with rakes, shovels, and wheelbarrows, clearing paths and digging out overgrown weeds. Thanks to their efforts, and a major, post-pandemic cleanup by the City of Trenton and Mercer County, Cadwalader Park has reclaimed much of its former glory.
couldn’t really tell where the paths were. They were lined with Belgian block. We dug them out, and pulled out the overgrown weeds. And when the pros came and started working on it, it got better and better.”
During a phone conversation, Taylor noticed a truck from the city, across from her house.
“They’re doing some special work here,” she said. “Trenton has made this a priority. The city recently had the loop around the interior completely repaved, and it’s gorgeous. Also,
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The Cadwalader Park Alliance (CPA), which Taylor co-chairs, is recognizing this renewal with a revised website, currently under development. A key element is a section in which members of the public are invited to share their favorite recollections. “Cadwalader Park Memories” will showcase these reflections along with photographs, also submitted by the public.
“We are looking for heartwarming tales spanning all ages and stages of life, offering readers views of Cadwalader Park’s impact on our community,” Taylor said in a press release. “Whether it’s fun with family, encounters with wildlife, or something else, the Cadwalader Park Alliance wants to hear about your memories in the park. We also invite you to submit photos that you have taken without any text accompaniment, to appear throughout the website.”
Recalling the massive clean-up efforts and the work of the city and county, Taylor said that the effort was overwhelming. But the work by the city and county made all the difference.
“Ultimately, the park has come alive again,” she said. “When I moved here, you
FORMER GLORY: The beauty of Trenton’s Cadwalader Park, considered to be landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s last great urban park, has been revitalized, hosting gatherings such as this recent birding event.
(Photo by Jay Watson)
walader
Summer is upon us, and that means it’s time for Bubbles on the Patio! Sip your way through a selection of sparkling wines—from Pet-Nat and Crémant to Prosecco, Champagne, and everything in between. What pairs perfectly with bubbles? Liqueurs. Learn how to mix up a few styles of refreshing spritzes that capture the essence of summer.
Snacks and assaggini will be served. If the weather fails us, we will move the event indoors. Are you an Eno Wine Club member? Your ticket is complimentary if so.
Cadwalader Park Alliance
Continued from Preceding Page
there has been a real effort to plant trees in Trenton, and a part of that has been the planting of trees in Cadwalader Park. “
Photos from the park’s turn-of-the-century heyday show crowds attending concerts in a bandshell, having picnics, going on pony rides, boating, and relaxing on benches. Shots taken in later years show children watching animals in a paddock, playing ball, and just enjoying the outdoors. Taylor found a lot of images at the Trenton Public Library’s Trentoniana Collection, including some of the popular Petey the Bear, and The Balloon Man.
The CPA is focused on monthly events, which have recently included sessions on birding and tree-plantings. The new website will focus on news and events, the history of the park, and the section on memories. The site is expected to go live in the next few months.
A forum for the expression of opinions about local and national issues.
Question of the Week:
“What’s your favorite way to enjoy strawberries?”
(Asked last weekend at the Terhune Orchards Strawberry Festival)
(Photos by Angela Lorenz)
“I think the memories section will be the best section,” Taylor said. “I don’t care if you’re young, old, or whatever. Anyone who has been around here has some kind of memory of the park, and we want to know what it is.”
To submit memories, which should be labeled as memories or photos — with an email address and phone number in case follow-up is needed — email cadparkalliance@gmail.com.
—Anne Levin
Princeton Students Honored By Parents for Black Children
Princeton Parents for Black Children (PPBC) has announced the 5th Anniversary Annual Recognition Ceremony on Friday June, 6 to honor all the 5th, 8th, and 12th grade students in the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) and all the 4th and 8th grade students in the Charter School. The ceremony will take place at the Princeton YWCA at 6:30 p.m.
Since its inception in 2020, PPBC has honored more than 100 students in the Princeton Public Schools district, recognizing their resilience and accomplishments throughout their school life.
This year, through its partnerships, PPBC awarded eight graduating seniors over $9,000 in scholarships presented at the Princeton Senior Awards night. The awards recognized the students’ leadership and significant impact on the Princeton High School community, and honored their deep commitment to promoting equity and cultural awareness for a more inclusive environment for all students.
PPBC is a nonprofit whose mission is to advocate for equity and support all Black children in the PPS district. The organization offers programs and other resources that build community for the children. One such resource is the Shirley Satterfield Scholarship Fund, created to help students overcome financial and other barriers to full utilization of district resources.
For more information, and to RSVP, contact: Teri Boyd at princetonpbc@gmail.com. Get the scoop from
“A strawberry salad with honey, goat cheese, almonds, and a vinaigrette.”
—Marissa Balto, Hopewell
“We like to make a vanilla cake with strawberries and just improvise! We also like to make them plain for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
—Eric and Julia Wiesinger, Somerset
“Strawberry ice cream, strawberry smoothies, and strawberry sundaes.”
—The Singh Family, Plainsboro
“Strawberry picking.”
—Vova and Eva Demiani, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Early Voting
continued from page one
She added, “The values divide between the Democratic and Republican candidates in this race couldn’t be wider, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This race will determine whether we continue to build a state rooted in justice, inclusion, opportunity, and resilience.”
Focusing on her role locally as a Council member and Council president, Sacks continued, “Regardless of what happens in the gubernatorial race, these are the values that I will continue to support and uphold as an elected official in Princeton. My professional background working to defend civil liberties at the ACLU, and monitoring human rights abuses in politically repressive countries around the world, has become more relevant than I could ever have imagined.”
Lambros also focused on the challenges facing Princeton and her thoughts as she looks ahead to the likelihood of another three-year term on Council. “Here in Princeton, my connection to this community runs deep,” she said. “My family has lived and served here for over a century, shaping my lifelong commitment to give back. It has been an honor to serve Princeton over the past five years, and I would be proud to continue that service.”
She went on to note some of the priorities of local government, made more demanding in the face of challenges on the national scale. “I remain committed to supporting our underserved neighbors and restoring Princeton’s historic socio-economic diversity,
which has been eroded by rising costs and affordability issues,” she stated, pointing out the local exigencies of upgrading aging infrastructure, improving the safety and accessibility of Princeton streets, and expanding opportunities for economic development.
“These efforts are all part of building a more inclusive, resilient, and forwardlooking Princeton,” Lambros added.
Early voting will be available through this Sunday, June 8 in the Community Room of the Princeton Municipal Building and in six other locations throughout Mercer County, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
On Election Day, Tuesday, June 10, the polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with voters’ polling locations indicated on the front of sample ballots that were mailed out last week. Vote-by-mail ballots may be returned in any drop box — Princeton Municipal Building or Princeton University Wawa/Dinky Station in Princeton — or mailed back (postage pre-paid) or returned to the Mercer County Board of Elections, by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Visit mercercounty.org/elections for further information on polling locations and voting procedures.
On the Democratic ballot for governor are Mayors Ras Baraka of Newark and Steve Fulop of Jersey City, U.S. Congress Members Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, former State Senate President Steve Sweeney and state teachers’ union President Sean Spiller.
Running for the Republican nomination are Jack Ciattarelli, in his third race for governor; former radio host and Princeton resident Bill Spadea; State Senator Jon Bramnick; contractor Justin Barbera; and former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac.
The only other competitive race on the Princeton ballots will be the Democratic contest for nomination to two seats in the general assembly where incumbents Roy Freiman and Michelle Drulis are taking on a new challenger Mahmoud Desouky.
All unopposed for the Republican nominations are Catherine Payne and Scott Sipos seeking two seats in the general assembly, Shaolin Brown running for county clerk, and Daniel J. Hanley, Jr. and Alexander DiFalco for Mercer County Board of Commissioners.
Incumbent Paula Sollami Covello is unopposed in running for the Democratic nomination for another term as county clerk, and incumbents Nina Melker and Cathleen L. Lewis are seeking to be the Democratic nominees in November for the Board of County Commissioners.
New Jersey and Virginia are the only states holding gubernatorial elections this year, and they are expected to be bellwether states, with the election results providing early indications of voter attitudes in the first year of the Trump administration and leading up to the 2026 midterm elections that will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control Congress going forward.
—Donald Gilpin
FINAL TOURS: Princeton University Library is offering its final curator-led tours of its new exhibition “The Most Formidable Weapon Against Errors: The Sid Lapidus ’59 Collection & the Age of Reason,” which documents the new conceptions of human liberty, political order, and scientific reasoning that emerged in the Anglo-American intellectual world between the 17th and 19th centuries and celebrates the collecting achievements of Sid Lapidus, Class of 1959. Tours are Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8 at 1 p.m. Meet in Firestone Library lobby. Visit library.princeton.edu/lapidus2025 for more information. (Photo
Dancing Under the Stars Returns to Hinds Plaza
Presented in partnership with the Mayors Wellness Campaign community health initiative, members of the Central Jersey Dance Society demonstrate basic steps and lead others in an evening of dancing to recorded music of all kinds on Hinds Plaza, weather permitting.
Dancing Under the Stars takes place June 13, 27; July 11, 25; August 8, 22; September 12, September 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. September 26 will feature dances and music from
Latin America for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Celebrate the 11th season of this collaborative dance event co-sponsored by the Princeton Public Library and Central Jersey Dance Society. In case of rain or extreme heat, the event will be held in the Community Room. The event is free.
by Brandon Johnson)
Historic Preservation Commission Recommends
Zinder Firm’s Addition Proposal to Zoning Board
After reviewing an application from the architecture firm JZA + D to build an addition to its office at 254 Witherspoon Street, Princeton’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) voted unanimously on May 19 to send the application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, recommending its approval.
The Zinder firm, which wants to expand in place, hopes to add a two-anda-half story addition to its current office via a glazed “hyphen” connector.
The existing building dates from the 1920s. Known as the Annette V. Taylor House, it was a one-family
dwelling built in Colonial Revival style, and was sold in 1993 after generations of the Taylor family lived there. Zinder purchased it in 2020.
The new addition would sit at the corner of Witherspoon Street and Leigh Avenue. Nine variances are sought for the project.
Key to the HPC’s approval is the firm’s plan to locate a laundromat in the basement of the new building. Residents of the WitherspoonJackson district have not had a laundry facility for several years.
“From this property, it’s a 20-minute walk to the nearest laundromat at Princeton Shopping Center,”
said Zinder “When we first moved in, I sat on the porch and watched people taking their laundry, on bikes, to the shopping center.”
The firm did a survey, posted around the neighborhood, asking residents if they would use the laundromat if one was located in the new building. Seventy-nine percent of them said yes, Zinder said, adding that he already has a tenant and two backups who are interested in the space.
Speaking in favor of the project was neighborhood resident Leanna Jahnke, who is executive director of Princeton Nursery School, located in the district.
“I really see how this project aligns with a lot of the work I do professionally,” she said. “It addresses community needs and uplifts and preserves Black history, which is so important here in Princeton. Also, the need for a laundromat is very much there. Here, we have the possibility to walk to a location so convenient. It really reduces those barriers. I urge the committee to continue removing barriers with this wonderful project.”
Members of the HPC expressed some concerns about proposed colors, signage, some materials, and massing. There were several questions about the top section of the new building, which JZA + D was asked to consider making smaller.
“The main issue I’ve heard is about the top section of the new building,” said HPC chair Julie Capozzoli. “It’s rather prominent, and if there’s a way to diminish the impact of that section, that would create a little more harmony between the new building and the existing building.”
The firm was praised for its sensitivity to the history of the existing house and the neighborhood, and their hiring of Hunter Research to delve into its past. The house first showed up on Sanborn maps in 1927. Taylor built it between 1923 and 1926.
“For a working-class Black woman to build a home during this period, on a prominent street in Princeton is quite remarkable,” Zinder said. “We want to maintain that legacy.”
—Anne Levin
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Students continued from page one who fought in Trenton and Princeton. It’s important to tell these stories now, especially when our country is so divided.”
The first stop for the students will likely be pension records. Mark Herr, a member of the PBS and its spokesman, said the project began, in part, when he tried to find out about the 30 men who were killed at the Battle of Princeton.
“I could find the names of 10 — all officers,” he said. “What about the enlisted men? No one knew.”
Herr asked a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution to delve into the research. “She came up with about 500 names of guys. They found 14 Black names,” Herr said. “I’m a supporter of Foundation Academies, so I reached out to them. They were very interested in doing a research project for the 250th. This is a sort of natural partnership — the kids get to do an interesting, relevant history project, and tell us these stories. The American Revolution belongs to all of us.”
The “Men Without Shoes” project focuses not only on Black soldiers, but on all who fought with George Washington to help secure independence.
“All of these men — Black, white — they were all patriots,” said PBS President Ben Strong, in a press release. “As part of our program to mark the 250th anniversaries of the founding of the United States, the state of New Jersey, and the Battle
of Princeton, we wanted to showcase these forgotten soldiers to share their stories.”
Foundation Academies’ CEO Sheria McRae said the partnership “is more than a history lesson — it’s a powerful journey of discovery and identity. Partnering with the Princeton Battlefield Society allows us to bring to light the courage and contributions of African American patriots often left out of traditional narratives.
Members of our Black Student Union will honor their legacy by ensuring these stories are told with pride and purpose.”
The students’ research is expected to be completed for a special Black History Month presentation in February 2026. Scholars plan to share their findings at an event in Princeton and during the school’s annual Black History Month celebration. The results of their work will be featured on the PBS website (pbs1777.org), and the school’s website (foundation academies.org).
“We’re going to also try and mount a physical exhibition in the Clarke House,” said Herr. “All of this is to get people to think about the need for a visitors center at the Battlefield. We need one. Ultimately, what we’d really love to do is make the Princeton Battlefield the definitive source for all things American Revolution in New Jersey. Because this is where independence was won.”
—Anne Levin
Think Global Buy Local
Police Blotter
On June 3, at 6:23 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence on Spruce Street to investigate a burglary and theft from a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, an individual reported that, between 9 p.m. on June 2 and 5:50 a.m. on June 3, unknown individuals entered her car, which was parked in her driveway. They stole $25 in cash from the center console. Additionally, a Vera Bradley bag was taken from the trunk; however, the bag was later found in the middle of Spruce Street, with all its contents intact. There are no suspects in this case.
On May 29, at 8:34 p.m., patrol officers responded to a business on Hulfish Street regarding an active shoplifting incident involving three suspects who had fled through the rear emergency exit with merchandise. The suspects’ descriptions were a male with a heavy build, medium-length dreadlocks, wearing all black clothing and white shoes; a female, short in stature, medium build, with long braided hair wearing a white T-shirt, black sweatpants, and black shoes; and a female, with a heavy build, long black hair, wearing all green clothing, white shoes and a New York Yankees cap. The suspects stole $1,274 worth of merchandise. The investigation is ongoing.
On May 29, at 3:08 p.m., patrols responded to a business on Nassau Street following a report of a
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suspicious vehicle that had been brought to the garage for a pre-purchase mechanical inspection. Upon investigation, patrols discovered that the vehicle was a “cloned vehicle,” meaning it had a duplicate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that was copied from a legitimate vehicle. This was done to conceal the fact that the vehicle had been reported stolen in March 2025. The driver, a 24-yearold male from Philadelphia, also presented a fraudulent title featuring the duplicate VIN. He was arrested and taken to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with several offenses, including alteration of a Vehicle Identification Number, receiving a stolen
motor vehicle, forgery, exhibiting false government documents, and hindering apprehension. Additionally, he received multiple motor vehicle summonses. After being provided with a court date, he was released on his own recognizance.
On May 28, at 11:09 p.m., patrol officers investigated a report of criminal mischief involving a vehicle, on Nassau Street. An individual stated that an unknown individual or individuals caused approximately $500 worth of damage by puncturing the front passenger side tire, which resulted in a deflation. The damage occurred sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on May 28. In addition to the tire damage, the unknown
PRINCETON SUMMER
actor(s) placed a yellow sticker on the driver’s side front window, which featured an image of Elon Musk with his arm raised and the text, “It must be embarrassing to own a Tesla.” At this time, there are no suspects identified.
On May 27, at 3:38 p.m., an individual reported that on that day, sometime between 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m., an unknown actor(s) shattered the rear window of his vehicle while it was parked and unoccupied in a parking lot on Alexander Street. Nothing was reported to be missing from the vehicle. There are no suspects at this time.
Unless noted, individuals arrested were later released.
Jason Robert Brown,
Marsha James Norman
Ken Ludwig
Nick Dear,
Mary Shelley
“WILD THINGS”: The photographs of award-winning wildlife photographer Rebecca (Becky) DePorte are featured at Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, through July 1. An opening reception with light refreshments is on Friday, June 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. A resident of Hopewell, she teaches Wildlife Photography at Princeton Adult School. Her favorite subjects are animals with fur or feathers. For more information, visit beckyswildlifephotography.com.
Get the best seats at the best prices.
I & You: The Musical
Book by Lauren Gunderson
Music and Lyrics by Ari Afsar Movement Direction by Steph Paul Music Direction by Sujin-Kim Ramsey Directed by Sarah Rasmussen
Sep 13 - Oct 12
Camille A. Brown & Dancers: I AM
Fri, Sep 26, 7:30PM
WXPN Welcomes Mary Chapin Carpenter
Brandy Clark Sun, Sep 28, 6:00PM
Chris Thile
Sat, Oct 18, 7:30PM
Step Afrika!
The world's leading authority on the African-American tradition of stepping Sat, Oct 25, 7:30PM
Smash Boom Best LIVE
Sun, Oct 26, 3:00PM
Kyung Wha Chung, violin with Kevin Kenner, piano
Works by Debussy, Schubert, Schoenberg and Franck Wed, Nov 5, 7:30PM
WXPN Welcomes I’m With Her – Wild and Clear and Blue 2025 with Ye Vagabonds
Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'Donovan Fri, Nov 7, 7:30PM
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Lauren Keating
Featuring Cameron Knight as Ebenezer Scrooge
Dec 9 - 28
Build your own McCarter season of 3 or more events and save. View the full list of events here!
Photo credit: Cameron Knight Thomas Robert Clarke Photography
The No Kings Day events follow up on large Hands Off! and May Day antiTrump rallies in Princeton and throughout the country in recent months. “We showed how much demand there is out there to fight their authoritarian agenda and crippling budget/personnel cuts,” Indivisible Princeton states.
The statement from Indivisible Princeton goes on to delineate the goals of the protest. “The Trump administration has defied our courts, disappeared people off our streets, slashed our services — all while orchestrating massive giveaways to billionaire allies,” it says. “They want to control our universities and our nation’s science research infrastructure. Enough is enough.”
Confirmed speakers at the event will include Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, New Jersey ACLU Director of Appellate Advocacy Ezra Rosenberg, and Moore.
Moore commented on “threats to our democracy” and “so many bad things it’s hard to keep count.” The real problem he noted, has been summarized in “three Cs: chaos, corruption, and cruelty. All three of those are happening in spades.”
He went on to point out that there have been hundreds of thousands of deaths in the past four months, two-thirds of them children, because of the termination of USAID programs, as well as domestically the threat of massive Medicaid cuts impacting working class and lower income people.
“It’s horrific,” he said. “The cruelty is astounding. The corruption smells to high heaven. This is not the way democracy is supposed to work.”
The Indivisible Princeton statement urged, “We need
to build a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis. Bring your U.S. flags, your pocket Constitutions, and your signs. Organized people power is stronger than Trump’s authoritarian aspirations. Let’s show the world what democracy looks like. The power is in your hands. Join us.”
The Pride events earlier in the day on June 14 are part of June Pride Month celebrations in Princeton. A Princeton Pride Flag Raising took place in Monument Park last week, and this Friday, June 6 the Princeton Public Library (PPL) and others are sponsoring a Pride on the Plaza Community Dance Party from 7 to 10 p.m. in Hinds Plaza next to the PPL.
Saturday, June 14 is expected to bring thousands into the streets for the morning march, to the YWCA for the After-Party in the early afternoon, and to Monument Park later in the afternoon for the No Kings demonstration, “marching in strength and solidarity, dancing in celebration and lamentation,” as the Pride lead organizers Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice state, and all making their voices heard.
—Donald Gilpin
Rider Furniture
Fighting Breast Cancer
With JM Group Fundraiser
JM Group recently raised $12,758 for YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center at a special fundraising dinner held at the company’s Blue Point Grill. The evening was a celebration of community awareness and support for those affected by breast cancer.
Guests had an eight-course meal crafted by the culinary team at the restaurant including butter-poached Maine lobster, pesto-crusted mahi mahi, and seared sea sass Provencal with mussels, clams, and crab. JM Group Vice President Jess Morrison, YWCA Princeton’s Director of the Breast Cancer Resource Center Melissa White-McMahon, and breast cancer survivors were among the speakers.
Sponsors included CBIZ, Fulton Bank, NJM Insurance Group, the Nassau Inn, all JM Group restaurants, and others.
“We are deeply grateful to the JM Group, the staff, sponsors, and our incredible community for their generous support and partnership in making this year’s Pink Pearl Night a success,” said Rose Wong, YWCA CEO. “The funds raised directly support our Breast Cancer Resource Center, ensuring that we can continue to provide free programs and services to those facing breast cancer.”
Visit jmgroupprinceton.com for more information.
City of Trenton Wins Culture of Health Prize
“Where quality still matters.” 4621 Route 27 Kingston, NJ 609-924-0147 riderfurniture.com Mon-Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5; Sun 12-5
national philanthropic organization dedicated to achieving health equity.
The City of Trenton is one of nine communities from across the United States to receive the 2024 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize. The prize recognizes communities that are committed to finding healthier and more equitable solutions to structural racism and other injustices. RWJF is a leading
“As the only hospital in Trenton, Capital Health has been a driving force in creating an environment where all residents have the opportunity to thrive,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “Our responsibility extends well beyond the scope of traditional care, and we are proud of the role we played to help our city join the ranks of RWJF Culture of Health Prize alumni, all of whom are committed to building a healthier future for their communities.”
Sam Martinez, manager of Blue Point Grill Princeton. and Capital Health has been helping Trenton residents navigate them for more than 125 years,” said Dr. Eric Schwartz, vice president of Community Health and Transformation and executive director of Capital Health Institute for Urban Care. “Outside the walls of our hospitals, we remain committed to working with community partners like the city’s health care providers, local government, and churches, schools, and food banks throughout the city to create a safer and healthier environment for our neighbors.”
“Every community faces its own unique health challenges,
Capital Health and its Institute for Urban Care currently lead or provide support by working with community partners for programs for Trenton residents that advocate for victims of violence, maternal and infant health, food security, and community investment.
The Violence Intervention for the Community Through Outreach Recovery (VICTORY) program is a hospital-based intervention effort that aims to break the cycle of violence by reaching out to victims of violence when they receive medical treatment at the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. The Maternal and Infant Health Innovation (MIHI) Authority reduces maternal and infant mortality with a focus on black and brown birthing people. An MIHI Center is being built in Trenton with Capital Health as
one of three lead tenants. Family Connects is now a statewide home-visiting program for growing families. When Trenton stepped up to be the pilot for the program, Capital Health and other partners provided home visits and referrals to thousands of growing families and ensured that most of them completed the critical post-partum visit. For My Baby and Me provides comprehensive services for pregnant people impacted by opioid use disorder. Capital Health is one of five Trenton-based organizations that contribute to the program’s ongoing success. Mobil Food Pantry events, in partnership with the Arm in Arm Hunger Prevention program and Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, are held weekly at health clinics in Trenton.
In addition to its Institute for Urban Care, Capital Health’s Trenton Neighborhood Initiative (TNI) works with implementation partner Trenton Health Team and other community partners to address the social determinants that influence the health of Trenton residents. TNI programs support home ownership, job training and employment, digital equity, and healthy beginnings for new moms and their families.
To learn more about Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care, visit capitalhealth. org/urbancare.
To learn more about Capital Health’s Trenton Neighborhood Initiative, visit tnitrenton.org.
PINK PEARL NIGHT: JM Group recently raised over $12,000 to support YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center. From left are Jess Morrison, vice president of JM Group; Rose Wong, CEO of YWCA Princeton; Jack Morrison, president of JM Group; Melissa McMahon, BCRC director; and
Accepted: Blair Academy, George School, The Hill School, The Hun School, The Lawrenceville School, The Peddie School, The Pennington School, Princeton Day School, Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science (PRISMS), Ranney School, Solebury School, The Thacher School
Stacy Young, “Homegrown”
Princetonian, Will Be the New Principal at Johnson Park
Stacy Young, who grew up in Princeton, was a product of the public schools and a 2008 Princeton High School (PHS) graduate, and is currently director of equity, data, and accountability for the Montgomery Township School District, has been appointed to be the next principal of Johnson Park Elementary School (JP).
She will succeed Christopher Sheridan, who is stepping down on June 30 after just one year at the helm of JP.
“Not only is Stacy Young an accomplished leader, she is a proud alumna of Princeton Public Schools (PPS),” said Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster in a PPS press release. “As a homegrown member of this dynamic community, Stacy is already deeply committed to providing the best possible learning experiences and building a strong sense of belonging for our students.”
Young was born and raised in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, growing up in a multi-racial home, “navigating life between two cultures,” she told the Board of Education (BOE), who unanimously approved her appointment at last week’s BOE meeting.
There were 48 applicants for the position, BOE President Dafna Kendal reported, eight invited for the first round of interviews, six for the second round, and two finalists. Young’s “enthusiasm, warmth, and care for children put her at the top,” Kendal added.
PHS English Teacher Doug Levandowski, one of several PPS educators mentioned by Young as having had a significant impact on her life, recalled Young’s time at PHS. “Stacy was always an avid reader and a thoughtful student,’ he wrote in an
email. “She had brilliant insights about the texts, but she never participated just to participate. She spoke when she felt she had something to say, and when she did, it was always something great! I also remember how kind she was
In addition to leading the District Equity Leadership Team in Montgomery, Young also served as the district antibullying coordinator and the district test coordinator. She held a similar position in the Bound Brook School District and has also held roles as a supervisor of English, an assistant director of an alternate route teaching program, and an English language arts teacher.
Young received her B.A. in English and secondary education and her M.E. in educational leadership from The College of New Jersey and her Ed.D. in educational leadership from Rider University. Her salary as Johnson Park principal will be $149,500 plus a doctoral stipend of $4,000, according to BOE documents.
In a short speech at last week’s meeting, Young reflected on her childhood in Princeton, thanked her former mentors and her family, and expressed her enthusiasm and aspirations for the job ahead.
She remembered “trying to honor my Haitian roots
while also assimilating into my American ones.” She noted, “My mom did her best, but she was trying to support me through a system that she just didn’t understand, and we were scraping by. We just didn’t have much, and though this community had and still has incredible resources, it didn’t necessarily always make me feel included or like I belonged, and yet I’m here.”
She went on, “Education is hard work, and you don’t always get to see the fruits of your labor,” she said. “Students go on to the next grade, to the next school, to the next part of their lives, and sometimes you just have to wonder if they made it. Well, I made it.”
Noting a number of educators at PPS who had had an impact on her life, Young emphasized, “I’m a reader because of you. I’m a writer because of you. I’m a teacher because of you, and now a principal. You saw me when I needed to be seen, and you lifted me up when I was down. Thank you for that.”
Young lives with her husband and their 2-year-old daughter and two dogs — no longer in Princeton, but, according to the press release, she still enjoys visiting, especially to eat at Olives and the Blue Point Grill.
“I’m truly so honored to be stepping into this new chapter with JP,” Young stated. “I can’t wait to get to know the students, staff, and families, and to see firsthand all the wonderful things that make JP such a special place. I’m especially excited to work together to make sure everyone feels seen, heard, valued, and that they belong. And as a proud product of PPS, it’s also just so special to be coming back home.”
—Donald Gilpin
Community Appreciation Day Targets Gun Violence
Younity, formerly known as Womanspace, invites the public to Party in Orange, a community-wide gathering on Saturday, June 7 to honor lives lost to gun violence and uplift those working toward a safer future.
Together with Moms Demand Action, the City of Trenton, and Councilwoman Teska Frisby, the Second Annual Community Appreciation Day will begin with an Anti-Gun Violence March that concludes at Cadwalader Park, where Community Appreciation Day and Party in Orange are held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Live performances, music, food, family-friendly activities, advocacy stations, and resource tables, all centered on the commitment to end gun violence and support survivors of domestic and partner violence.
“The event is about more than remembrance,” said Nathalie S. Nelson, president and CEO of Younity. “It’s about standing together — across neighborhoods, across sectors — to say we believe in a future where safety and dignity are not privileges, but rights. Together, we are stronger than violence, and stronger than fear.”
Inspired by the national Wear Orange movement, credited to Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teen killed by gun violence, this gathering reflects the power of local activism and also follows Younity’s recent presentation of the Barbara Boggs Sigmund to Angela FerrellZabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action.
Visit younitynj.org for more information.
County Commissioners Adopt 2025 Budget
On Thursday, May 22, the Mercer County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the 2025 Mercer County budget. County Executive Dan Benson introduced the budget in April, and the Commissioners worked in close collaboration with the administration to ensure its completion in time for annual tax assessments.
The 2025 Mercer County budget totals $420,116,995. Excluding grants, this represents an increase of less than 2 percent compared to the 2024 budget, rising from approximately $397 million to $403 million in non-grant expenditures.
This year’s budget continues to correct for earlier fiscal accountability issues from the previous administration, and addresses potential federal budget cuts.
The adopted budget aims to advance county priorities by investing in infrastructure, public programs, and community development, while maintaining prudent fiscal management. It emphasizes fiscal restraint through measures such as not filling vacancies and delaying less time-sensitive projects.
“When I took office in 2024, I knew the problems Mercer County faced were not going to be fixed in one year, and some might not even be fixed in one term,” said Benson. “Working closely with the Commissioner Board, we were able to create a budget that would work for all our residents, while saving money by not filling vacancies and delaying less time-sensitive projects.”
“Once again, in working with the Benson administration, we have had a partner who understands our concerns and is willing to make sure we have a budget
that preserves key services without over-burdening the taxpayer,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Kristin McLaughlin.
“With uncertainty coming out of Washington, the Commissioner Board was tasked with making sure the Mercer County budget could take care of our most vulnerable, while not setting us back in our progress for financial stability,” said Commissioner Vice-Chair Terrance Stokes.
The adopted budget can be viewed at mercercounty. org/home/showpublisheddocument/34154.
Entries Now Accepted For Kiosk Design Competition
AIA New Jersey (the American Institute of Architects) has invited professional architects and students to enter the Princeton Kiosk Design Competition, for the new kiosk to be located at the corner of Nassau Street and Vandeventer Avenue. The new kiosk will replace the existing one, as part of the town’s Nassau Street Streetscape Project.
The new kiosk must have a minimum of 50 square feet for public bulletin board space, a digital touch screen for wayfinding and local information, solar and/or ambient lighting options, a recognition plaque for donors and sponsors, and a QR code of mobile connectivity.
The competition is open to licensed New Jersey architects and AIA members only. Architectural firms can submit under a responsible New Jersey licensed AIA member. Awards, which are sponsored by The Bank of Princeton and Roundview Capital, range from $500 for third place in the student category to $3,000 for first place in the professional category.
Registration deadline is July 16 and the submission deadline is July 18. Visit aia-nj. org/kiosk for more details.
Get the scoop from
The newest addition to the LHT biking and hiking trail is an elevated boardwalk in Mercer Meadows.
New Segment Opens on Lawrence Hopewell Trail Lawrence Township and the nonprofit Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation have announced the opening of a new segment of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail (LHT), marking a significant milestone in the creation of one of New Jersey’s premier multi-use trails. This 0.4mile stretch winds through scenic wetland habitat.
The public is invited to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Maidenhead Meadows elevated boardwalk on Saturday, June 14 at 9 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by an informal community walk through Maidenhead Meadows Park at 10 a.m., starting at the historic Brearley House. Refreshments will be provided before the event.
“This is an important opening for the LHT, as it takes riders and walkers safely across Mercer Meadows and avoids the heavy traffic on Princeton Pike,” said David Sandahl, chair of the LHT Board of Trustees. “Lawrence Township, which has supported the LHT since our beginning, has really delivered on this project.”
The Maidenhead Meadows segment is particularly significant because it completes a critical link in the southern portion of the LHT. Users will experience the beauty of the preserved open space, moving safely above the natural wetlands. Together with the recently reconfigured and reopened route through the Lawrenceville School, the boardwalk allows trail users to traverse the area without using Princeton Pike. When the route through the new Pike Town neighborhood opens later this summer, it will eliminate the current detour, bringing the LHT even closer to a seamless 20-mile loop.
“This project demonstrates our township’s longstanding commitment to walkability, bikeability, and access to open space,” said Lawrence Township Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer. “We’re proud to partner with the LHT to make our community healthier, more connected, and more sustainable.”
Lawrence Township obtained grant funds to design and construct the segment guided by the overall plan for the LHT loop. Under the leadership of Township Engineer Jim Parvesse, special thanks go to Capela Construction for their work and to Remington & Vernick Engineers for their management of the project.
“Our congratulations to the leadership and community who have persevered to build the 20-mile Lawrence Hopewell Trail,” said Patrick Starr, chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition. “It’s a beautiful accomplishment that advances our coalition’s vision of a regional trail system for everyone.”
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is a part of the Circuit Trails, a network of more than 415 miles of multi-use trails in the Greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region.
Approximately 93 percent of the LHT is now complete. Four projects remain, with the next gap expected to be closed in Hopewell Township later this year. The goal is to complete the full loop by the end of 2026. In addition to closing the loop, the LHT is also exploring opportunities for connections to other regional trails and neighborhoods.
For more information, visit lhtrail.org.
Nobel Laureate Will Speak At Einstein Memorial Lecture
The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Princeton Regional Chamber Foundation have announced that the Albert Einstein Memorial Lecture Series will return to Princeton this year. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at the Nassau Inn. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the lecture will begin at 7 p.m.
Dr. Harvey Alter
This year’s featured speaker is Nobel Laureate Dr. Harvey Alter. Alter is a co-winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. Alter’s speech is titled “Hepatitis C: The End of the Beginning and Perhaps the Beginning of the End.” In it he will describe the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, the near eradication
pre-registration is requested. Registration can be found at business.princetonmercerchamber.org/ chamber-events.
“First Fridays Princeton” Launches June 6
Pieces of Princeton (POP) is bringing the “First Friday” community event concept to the downtown Princeton business district on Friday, June 6 with music, special events, and food specials.
The event will kick off on Thursday, June 5 at the Princeton Farmer’s Market with a “Chef Shop,” where chefs from participating restaurants will gather farmfresh ingredients that will be included on their menus on what is being dubbed as “Local Food Friday.”
of transfusion-associated hepatitis, the clinical consequences of chronic hepatitis C, including cirrhosis and liver cell cancer, curative treatments for hepatitis C, and the potential to eradicate hepatitis C worldwide through a test-and-treat strategy.
The Einstein Memorial Lecture Series is dedicated to scientific inquiry and growth, and allows the Chamber to memorialize Einstein, one of the most famous residents of the region. It is the only event of its kind hosted by a Chamber of Commerce.
“The Einstein Memorial Lecture Series reflects the spirit of innovation inherent in our region,” said Chamber CEO Hal English. “We are looking forward to hearing Dr. Alter’s talk, and we are proud that we can make that experience available to the broader community.”
Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested. Visit princetonmercerchamber.org.
Capacity is limited, so
Confirmed events to date include a new barrel tapping plus live jazz at Triumph Brewery; “Tea, Tapas, + Tunes” at Tipple and Rose; nature artist Rebecca Deporte exhibit at Small World’s Witherspoon Street location; the debut of a Whole Earth Local Dessert Special, and Dinner plus a Movie with the Garden Theatere — with more to come.
Pieces of Princeton (POP) was established in 2025 and is a community-based resident-business coalition that promotes, engages in, and facilitates collaborations between small businesses in Princeton’s downtown business district and Princeton residents.
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Tomato Patch Master Class in Acting: Grades 9-12 full-day theater intensive programs in two sessions:
Session 1: June 30 - July 25 — Monday through Friday (no class July 4)
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Saturday morning creative theater workshops exploring creativity, movement, improvisation, and all the fun elements of live theater and more September through May. For ages 4 to 12
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WINDING THROUGH WETLANDS:
URBAN FLORA: At the 34th Annual Mill Hill Garden Tour on Saturday, June 7 from 12-5 p.m., the historic Trenton neighborhood will show off its creatively designed gardens, many of which are hidden behind the distinctive 19th century facades. Trenton Pride Fest takes place simultaneously in Mill Hill Park. The tour begins at Artworks, 19 Everett Alley. For tickets and more information, visit trentonmillhill.org. (Photo by Jeffrey E. Tryon)
The
of the
Town Topics.
Density of Proposed High-Rise Project On Stockton Street is Unprecedented
To the Editor:
As a longtime resident of Princeton and president of the Mercer Hill Historic District Association, I would like to add to the broad-based public outcry over the proposed luxury high-rise development on Stockton Street between Edgehill Street and Hibben Road. The wake-up call came on April 23 when several eminent historians placed a fullpage ad in Town Topics entitled, “Historians in Defense of Historic Princeton.” The outrage has continued with many thoughtful and informative letters to the editor of the Town Topics.
Meanwhile, alarmed Princeton residents have placed over 150 lawn signs all over town with “Defend Historic Princeton.” What do these bright orange signs mean? I have spoken with many residents, and my takeaway is a demand for an end to the “development at all costs” agenda. The proposed development threatens to significantly endanger our historic heritage through construction of an extremely dense high-rise luxury apartment complex the likes of which Princeton has never before seen in any part of town.
The luxury high-rise is mainly composed of a Phase 1 and a Phase 2. The 238 housing units of these phases will sit on 4.4 acres, for a density of 54 units per acre. This density is 40 percent higher than the highest comparable property in Princeton to-date, the Avalon on Witherspoon, which has a density of 38 units per acre. The proposed density will be 18 times higher than the surrounding neighborhood, based on the proximate homes on Edgehill, Hibben, Stockton and Mercer streets. To note, 100 percent of the adjacent area is R1 residential zoning, unlike other similar developments.
Adjacent to the development is The Barracks at 32 Edgehill, a stone residence built for the Stockton family about 1685, and the oldest house in Princeton. This site’s historical and architectural significance will be forever degraded by the towering apartments 20 feet from its rear garden.
I hear residents asking, “for what?”
Recent writers to the Town Topics have highlighted other major concerns of this project. First, the height will be over 50 feet on Stockton Street but over 80 feet as seen from Mercer Street. Second, the PILOT tax incentive provides huge tax breaks, $40 million, to the developer. Third, as a result of the PILOT program, the school system will see a massive shortfall in tax income, estimated at $39 to $53 million, versus no PILOT. Fourth, dangerous traffic problems caused by 261 cars and sole entry-exit directly onto 206, a congested two-lane federal highway. And finally, the claim that this project is driven by “affordable housing” when it provides only the legal minimum of 20 percent of units, offers only rental units with no pathway to ownership, and reverts all units to “market pricing” after 30 years.
Please send a note of support to the historians at historicprinceton@gmail.com, contact members of Princeton Council and the Planning Board to make clear your opposition, and ask for Planning Board meetings to return to in-person (with Zoom) meetings.
Proposed
CAROLYN H. ROBERTSON Mercer Street
Herring Development Project Will Bring Some Diversity to Neighborhood
To the Editor:
We are indebted to the historians who remind us of Princeton’s unusual legacy of historic landmarks and neighborhoods. I, too, moved to Edgehill Street 20 years ago because of its historic associations and inviting character. Though I grew up in the country nearby, many of my friends lived in this neighborhood. It was a joy to come to town to ride our bicycles on the side streets and back alleys and play baseball on the Seminary field at the corner of Mercer Street and Hibben Road. That was in the 1950s. Since then I have watched Princeton grow from town to city. With the University expanding, that was inevitable. And with this growth, the need for affordable housing became an imperative. For too long, elderly, young people, and families have been priced out of Princeton’s housing market. Now Princeton’s governing body seems dedicated to addressing this critical public issue.
It’s curious that to date most affordable housing has been built in the East End of Princeton and virtually none in the more affluent West. Has this been a deliberate public policy or a concerted effort by “West Enders” to assure that little changes in this area mostly of homes for the wealthy?
Now comes a proposal (the Herring Project) to build 238 apartments in a well-designed though admittedly dense configuration on the corner of Stockton Street and Hibben Road. Though I am an abutting neighbor, I am not opposed to this project. Here’s why:
This writer has dedicated much of his professional career as a policy planner to the advancement of affordable housing in New Jersey against the intractable opposition of many.
For this reason, it would be hypocritical of me to oppose such a project near my neighborhood. The Herring Project is planned to include 48 below market units (20 percent of the total). The Herring Project inarguably contributes to Princeton’s need.
Back to history. As you can see from its map, delineation of the Mercer Hill Historic District deliberately excluded the former Seminary property. And who would have argued that these large drab buildings were little more than an eyesore, with no apparent historic value.
Regarding the present proposal, design issues likely remain. The lack of a financial contribution to the school district is deplorable and one would hope that this would be remedied by the Council.
It’s hard to balance legitimate values when looking at a project like the one at hand. Reasonable people can differ in their opinions. But this resident believes that the Herring Project will bring some diversity to the neighborhood and in time blend in and become an asset to the town.
SAM HAMILL Edgehill Street
In Princeton, Development Should be Seen as An Honor Rather Than a Cry for Incentivization
To the Editor:
There has been much recent public discourse about proposed (and some recently completed) development projects in Princeton. For almost anyone who is paying attention, and especially for those who have chosen to live in this town with an appreciation of its historic significance, atmosphere and quality of life, the sheer number of projects (many of them extremely dense) is concerning. Princeton is a town with a special character, and the runaway development that is occurring, with much more threatened, has great potential to diminish that character and push Princeton towards becoming a “wannabe city.” I do not believe that Princeton should be preserved as a museum to the past, but rather that all development here should be appropriate to the neighborhood it is proposed for, in character, scale, and quality.
Valuable discussion has been offered about the heavyhanded push through of the recently updated Master Plan, the inappropriateness of allowing payment in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) by developers, and the associated financial burdens to be borne by taxpayers. These are all serious issues and concerns that I share. But the most insidious threat of the unbridled scale of development projects in Princeton is, in my opinion, use of an until-recently-unknown tool called an “Area in Need of Redevelopment” (ANR), a statute that New Jersey has employed to entice developers to enter markets that are blighted or depressed by allowing them to exceed the existing zoning density and relax other standards that would otherwise apply (including building height and setbacks), to help guarantee their extra profitability in those ”uncertain markets.”
Astonishingly, Princeton officials have entertained proposals by developers (invoking this new ANR statute) that increase density beyond what is mandated by longestablished zoning and found in favor of allowing these inappropriately large projects. I know of no property in Princeton that could legitimately be considered “blighted” (though some property owners have been guilty of strategic neglect over the years, while planning to eventually re-develop their property or monetize it by selling to others to develop); however, there is surely much bonus profit to be made by developers whose proposed projects are considered under ANR “no rules” status.
The truth is that in the town of Princeton, development should be seen as an honor rather than a cry for incentivization. Structurally-sound existing (and all historic) building stock should be preserved, adaptively reused if possible and added to if appropriate. New construction should be compatible with the scale, massing and materials of existing construction in the
FLESCH’S ROOFING
neighborhoods it is proposed for, and most importantly, be governed by the existing Princeton zoning rules. Going forward with projects that follow such guidelines can be a future path to development that everyone should find to be responsible and reasonable. I believe the public should urge town officials to dispense with the use of ANR to override existing zoning and return to requiring that development proposals be guided by what is appropriate and conforming to Princeton standards.
CHRISTOPHER
OLSEN Alexander Street
Writing in Support of Steve Fulop For Governor of New Jersey
To the Editor:
At 82 years old, I’ve seen my fair share of political promises come and go — but what I value most in a candidate today is clarity, courage, and a proven record of action. That’s why I’m supporting Steve Fulop for governor of New Jersey.
As a senior citizen, my priorities are straightforward: I want to live in a state that cares for everyone and makes the future better for the next generation. Steve Fulop has consistently demonstrated that he not only understands the challenges we face, but that he has the executive experience to get things done. As mayor of Jersey City, he transformed a city once plagued by dysfunction and lack of investment into one of the most vibrant and well-managed in the country. He led on housing, transportation, and public safety — delivering real results, not just sound bites. But what sets Steve apart is his integrity. New Jersey’s political system has long been weighed down by backroom deals, party bosses, and a culture of “who you know.” Steve Fulop is the only candidate taking on that system — standing against corruption and opening the doors of democracy to new voices. That matters to me.
And I’m deeply heartened to see how Steve is inspiring a new generation of voters — young people who are joining his campaign in record numbers because they see someone who speaks plainly, fights boldly, and governs competently. I was happy to see him receive the endorsement of the College Democrats of America and New Jersey.
As for Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, I respect her service, but I hope she stays in Washington — where we need her most. With Donald Trump and his allies threatening the very programs seniors like me rely on, we need Mikie fighting in Congress to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from the far-right’s destructive agenda. Let Steve lead here at home, and let Mikie keep fighting for us in D.C. That’s how we win — for all generations.
MARY STEVENS Blue Spring Road
Letters to the Editor Policy
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Congratulations Congratulations NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025 CLASS OF 2025
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60
MAY 31 – JUNE 29
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30
A signature exhibition honoring the legacy of American sculptor Selma Burke featuring over
works by
than
African American artists.
James Duprée
“Valley of the Gods”
Written by Lynden Harris
Brandon Dion Gregory Gabriel Diego Hernández
Kevis Hillocks Forrest McClendon
Turner Taylor “TV” Valentine
Princeton Battlefield Society will partner with Friends of Washington Crossing Park to host Rick Atkinson, the nationally renowned historian of the American Revolution, who will deliver the Princeton Battlefield Society’s (PBS) third Cadwalader Lecture on June 10 at 7 p.m. in the Visitor Center Auditorium, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pa.
Atkinson, who has just released The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, the second book in his trilogy of the American Revolution, will talk about the war from shortly after the Battle of Princeton through the middle years of the War.
“We are excited that Rick will help us celebrate the semiquincentennial of our nation’s independence, the 250th anniversary of Washington’s Christmas Day Crossing of the Delaware, and the semiquint of the
Battle of Princeton by delivering the latest Cadwalader Lecture,” said PBS President Ben Strong. Strong added that the author, The Friends of Washington Crossing Park, and PBS “share the same passion to educate and remind modern America that 250 years ago tired, hungry, cold but determined men would not let the Independence declared in Philadelphia slip away on the Delaware River and in the frozen battlefields of Trenton and Princeton.”
PBS launched the Cadwalader Lectures, a new educational series, last fall to showcase issues and authors relevant to the Battle of Princeton and the struggle for Independence as part of PBS’ program to honor the 250 th anniversaries of the Nation, the State of New Jersey, and the Battle of Princeton.
In November, PBS welcomed historian Richard Brookhiser to speak at its inaugural Cadwalader Lec -
ture about the “Artist of the American Revolution,” Jonathan Trumbull, and in February local historian, John U Rees, with Morven Museum and Gardens, to speak about the Black soldiers fighting in the revolutionary American Army.
Tickets are $40 to attend the event, and with the purchase of a book, the cost is $65. If two attendees purchase together, the cost is $90 and they will receive one copy of the book. Tickets are at washingtoncrossingpark.org/event/thefate-of-the-day-an-eveningwith-rick-atkinson.
Atkinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seven previous works of history, including The Long Gray Line , the Liberation Trilogy ( An Army at Dawn , The Day of Battle , and The Guns at Last Light ), and The British Are Coming, the first volume of the Revolution Trilogy. He has won numerous awards, including Pulitzer Prizes for history and journalism.
The Princeton Battlefield Society is a national historic nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection, preservation, and promotion of the Princeton Battlefield as a national treasure of the American Revolutionary War.
The Friends of Washington Crossing Park shares the story of Gen. George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night 1776 and interprets its ongoing impact on world history for both today’s citizens and future generations. Through the fundraising and the support of donors and members, it maintains the historic site, and offers tours and educational programming in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. More information is at washingtoncrossingpark.org.
Princeton Battlefield State Park is a 681-acre state park in Princeton that preserves part of the site of the Battle of Princeton and is located on Mercer Road (Princeton Pike).
“The Spinach King” Author Examines His Family Dynasty
The story of a forgotten American dynasty, a farming family from the bean fields of southern New Jersey, begins, “Having left this material for his writer son, my father must have wanted the story told, even if he couldn’t bear to tell it himself.” The family became as wealthy and powerful as aristocrats — only to implode in deceptions, as described by author John Seabrook.
New Yorker staff writer Seabrook will be at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, on Monday, June 16, from 7 to 8 p.m. to discuss The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall
of an American Dynasty, his new memoir that dissects his family legacy.
Seabrook’s grandfather, C.F. Seabrook, was once hailed as the “Henry Ford of agriculture” — a visionary who industrialized farming and built Seabrook Farms into the largest frozen vegetable supplier in the country. But C.F. didn’t just build a food empire; he tried to create an American aristocracy, complete with family estates, weekend coats of arms, and a crown prince successor: John’s father, Jack Seabrook. Jack Seabrook, a keen businessman, was poised to take over what Life magazine
called “the biggest vegetable factory on earth.” But the carefully cultivated façade — glamorous outings by horsedrawn carriage, hidden wine cellars, and movie star girlfriends — hid dark secrets that led to the implosion of the family business, according to the publisher. (W.W. Norton, $31.99).
“At the heart of the narrative is a multi-generational succession battle, a tale of family secrets and Swiss bank accounts, of half-truths, of hatred and passion — and lots and lots of liquor. The Seabrooks’ colorful legal and moral failings took place amid the trappings of extraordinary privilege. But the story of where that money came from is not so pretty,” the publisher states.
Through his father’s relationships with screen legends like Eva Gabor and Ann Miller and elite circles of the time, the book is also a glimpse into how America’s industrial dynasties intersected with Tinseltown’s golden era.
“What happens when a fearless investigative reporter turns his sights on his own family? In John Seabrook’s case, the answer is magic,” writes Stacy Schiff, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams Seabrook has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for more than three decades. He is the author of The Song Machine, Flash of Genius, and other books. The film Flash of Genius was based on one of his stories. He and his family live in Brooklyn. He graduated from Princeton University in 1981.
Seabrook will also be at The Frenchtown Bookshop Friday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m., where the author will read from and sign his book. For that event, books, can be purchased at frenchtownbookshop.com/events. well loved and well read since 1946
Organic Garden State Organic Garden State
Historian Rick Atkinson to Deliver Battlefield Society Cadwalader Lecture
We are currently accepting applications for 2025-2026
Westminster Community Orchestra Concludes Season with Tribute to Vienna
Westminster Community Orchestra celebrated the city of Vienna this past weekend with music of Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johann Strauss Jr. and featured guest piano and vocal soloists. Conducted by Ruth Ochs, the community-based ensemble presented a piano concerto of Beethoven and symphonic and vocal works of Schubert, topped off with popular waltzes by Strauss Jr. The overflowing audience at Hillman Hall on the campus of Westminster Conservatory showed the popularity of this Orchestra and its focus on informality and a family atmosphere.
Schubert’s 1822 Symphony No. 8 in B minor, widely known as the “Unfinished Symphony,” is recognizable by its familiar
the Community Orchestra for this piece,
the Orchestra’s performance, with piano soloist Esma Pasic-Filipovic giving listeners plenty from which to learn.
Beethoven’s three-movement second piano concerto dates from as early as 1793, possibly when he was studying with Franz Josef Haydn. The work was premiered in 1795 with Beethoven as piano soloist, likely showing off his extraordinary improvisational skills by making up the first-movement cadenza on the spot. Despite its lyrical passages and uncomplicated harmonies, this work would be a challenge for any orchestra. The players of the Community Orchestra began the opening “Allegro” with light strings and the horns providing a solid foundation. Pasic-Filipovic played gracefully, with wellexecuted ornaments and strong extended trills. Pasic-Filipovic approached the first movement cadenza dramatically, but also brought out a tuneful middle section.
The second movement “Adagio” began reverently, with the Orchestra always remaining subtle with Pasic-Filipovic’s solo lines. Both Orchestra and pianist presented the closing “Rondo” with energy and playfulness, always returning to the refrain in a new and imaginative way. Pasic-Filipovic especially emphasized the syncopated rhythms, foreshadowing the fire of later Beethoven works.
One cannot pay musical tribute to Vienna without including “The Waltz King.” Johann Strauss, the Younger, composed more than 150 waltzes, with the “Blue Danube” tune one of the most recognizable in the repertory. Strauss’ 1889 Kaiser-Waltzer, or Emperor Waltz , was composed for a toast between Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and German Emperor Wilhelm II, and contrasts fanfare and march passages with gentle melodies. Westminster Community Orchestra played the opening waltz as if it were a chipper walk through the Alps, with well-blended brass and winds. Cellist Barbara Brown provided two short but elegant solo passages as conductor Ochs and the Orchestra closed the evening in high-spirited fashion, sending the audience into the night feeling as if they had been to a Viennese summer concert.
—Nancy Plum
Performing Arts
receives her certificate from Ken Guilmartin and Carole Moore at the annual concert of Voices Chorale NJ’s Young Composers Project.
Young Composers Project
Holds Annual Concert
Voices Chorale NJ’s (VCNJ) Young Composers Project recently held its annual concert at Music Together in Hopewell. Eleven budding composers aged 6-13 premiered their original pieces.
The program, which reflects VCNJ’s core mission of providing music education and community engagement, offers an opportunity for children in grades K-7 to create compositions, develop them in workshops, and receive mentoring from local composers.
This year, composer and producer Ken Guilmartin, who is the founder and director of Music Together, collaborated with accompanist/ mentors Joseph Woodhull and Joyce Kay to bring the young musicians’ creations to life. The compositions spanned a range of themes — birds, spring, “snuggly” farm animals, echoes, twilight, and the universe.
Among the notable arrangements was a setting of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem The Eagle, a piece about relationships titled Truce ; and the inclusive I Love You and I Love Me. An ensemble of over 20 Voices Chorale singers performed, accompanied by a variety of instruments including piano, bass, violin, and cello.
The Young Composers Project will reconvene in the 2025-2026 academic year. Visit voiceschoralenj.org for information.
Princeton Festival Offers RUSH Tickets
To encourage young people to take advantage of the array of live arts presented at the 2025 Princeton Festival, organizers at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) are announcing the availability of day-of $20 “Young at Art” RUSH tickets for 18-30-year-olds. For others who purchase tickets at least 48 hours in advance, there is an opportunity to pre-order boxed picnic meals from Jammin’ Crepes, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the PSO and its programs, including the Princeton Festival.
“Young at Art” RUSH tickets are available one hour before the start of any Princeton Festival performance except the June 7 Renée Fleming with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra concert, the June 14 Evening of Pas de deux, and June 21’s ARRIVAL from Sweden: The Music of ABBA. Proof of age with a government-issued ID is required.
Up to 48 hours prior to any mainstage performance except the June 7 event, attendees can pre-order a picnic box meal. The meal boxes will be available for pick up at Jammin’ Crepes’ booth on Morven Museum & Garden’s back lawn one hour before each performance. Meal choices include a choice of a crepe-wrapped Chicken Salad or Turkey Club, or Jersey Sweet Potato Burrito with accompanying
Cous Cous Salad, pickle, and choice of Oatmeal Raisin or Chocolate Espresso Cookie. Each picnic box is priced at $20, with 25 percent of all proceeds benefiting the PSO. Instructions for ordering are available through the PSO’s visitor information/concessions website page at princetonsymphony.org/visit.
Listen Local Series Back on Hinds Plaza
Princeton Public Library continues to spotlight local musicians with the return of the Listen Local summer music series and some special musical events this summer.
In its 15th year, the Listen Local series features six bands performing on Sundays at 4 p.m. on Hinds Plaza, weather permitting, or in the Community Room. Concerts include:
On June 22 at 4 p.m., Stay Tuned will play dance music featuring a mix of pop, soul and grunge in its performance of original compositions and covers. New Yacht City appears on July 13 at 4 p.m., performing smooth yacht rock and R&B-inspired sounds of the ’70s and ’80s including songs by Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and Toto.
The series continues August 3 at 4 p.m. with singer/ songwriter Stephanie Chin and her band doing inspiration R&B songs. Opening for her at 3 p.m. is Laurie Davis, with covers of popular rock songs from the ’60s-’80s and some original songs. On August 17 at 4 p.m., Full
Code — a band made up of local Penn Medicine physicians and a hospital chaplain — play classic rock.
Additional summer musical events include “The 1966 Show,” a concert of classic Top 40 songs by The Beatles, Neil Diamond, The Beach Boys and many others performed by Einstein Alley musicians. The event will take place Sunday, July 20, at 3 p.m. on Hinds Plaza. The rain date is July 26.
A concert by The Beagles with Joy will be presented on Sunday, July 27, at 4 p.m. The concert will celebrate the release of the group’s debut album, “Songs on Fire,” a collection of “love songs for grown-ups.”
Visit princetonlibrary.org for more information.
Film About Autism
By Local Playwright
Love and Communication, an award-winning new film about the personal cost of autism, written and directed by Princeton playwright James Christy Jr., will be available for streaming on June 10 on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, and more outlets. The streaming will be followed by a Q&A with local autism professionals.
The film follows the journey of parents desperate to find the right treatment for their son, only to find their efforts putting their marriage at risk. Love and Communication opened as a play at Trenton’s Passage Theatre in 2010. Word of mouth within the tight-knit autism community spread quickly and carried over to mainstream audiences, leading to sold-out shows in the final week.
The production won the Brown Martin Barrymore Award and earned positive reviews. But it was the response of parents of other children with special needs that convinced Christy to turn the play into a film.
“So many parents told me they just had never seen a story that shows what it’s really like for parents,” he said.
The film version stars Lev Gorn ( The Americans ), and has now screened in festivals throughout the world, including an Audience Award and Indie Spirit award from a sold-out East Coast premiere at the New Hope Film Festival. Visit loveandcommunication.com for more information.
Grounds For Sculpture, Johnson Atelier Merge
Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Johnson Atelier in Hamilton have announced that the institutions will officially operate as one unified body, forming a new catalyst for the production, conservation, and exhibition of large-scale, high-caliber contemporary sculpture and art experiences.
GFS will assume management and operations of Johnson Atelier and its state of the art modeling, scanning, milling, painting, and finishing capabilities, along with its assets including the seven-acre Meadow; the physical plant that houses the Johnson Atelier; the Motor Exhibits Building, which currently houses studios for 25 artists; and apartments for guest artists.
According to a press release, this union cements artist and founder Seward Johnson’s legacy, and his vision for GFS and Johnson Atelier to work as one. With these institutions operating under one organization, GFS is set to usher in a new era of artistic synergy, and expanding impact, recognition, and artist support on a global scale.
What’s more, this strategic integration represents an enterprising business model: a nonprofit sculpture park operating a revenue-generating sculpture fabrication business. GFS can expand its ability to produce work that can be exhibited on its own campus and facilitate the production of work for venues around the world, allowing the organization to go beyond its gates and deliver on its mission to make sculpture and public art broadly accessible.
“Seward Johnson desired to make the impossible possible while working outside of the confines of traditional art systems and structures,” said Eric B. Ryan, president, Grounds For Sculpture Board of Trustees. “What Seward built in his lifetime was meant to be flexible and responsive to changing needs and cultural shifts in the world at large. This forward-looking spirit has allowed his contributions to evolve over time, remaining relevant to contemporary audiences and creators; and it has led us to where we are today with this merger.”
Rooted in Johnson’s radical approach to discovery and making the arts available to all, GFS and Johnson Atelier have given artists unprecedented access to tools for sculpture production, inviting the public to engage with contemporary sculpture collections and exhibitions for half a century.
Founded in 1974 to help sculptors retain control over their artwork, and to open access to previously guarded information on production techniques, Johnson Atelier is an incubator for artists from across the globe to grow their practices freely through collaboration, and with innovative production techniques and technology.
Over the last five decades, apprentices have had the opportunity to hone their skills while working with established artists including Georgia O’Keeffe, George Segal, Michele Oka Doner, William King, Marisol, Red Grooms, Toshiko Takaezu, and Joel Shapiro.
With an eye on expansion, Johnson envisioned GFS as a place to show the work of the Atelier’s clients, and where visitors could delight in discovering contemporary sculpture and immersive art experiences.
Founded in 1992, the sculpture park encompasses 42 acres of gardens surrounding indoor and outdoor galleries for internationally renowned artists to showcase their work to audiences near and far. More than 700 artists have had their work on view at GFS and the collection currently contains over 500 pieces of art by 240 artists including Johson’s own works, along with those by Anthony Caro, Willie Cole, Masayuki Koorida, Tallur L.N., Jae Ko, Roberto Lugo, Clement Meadmore, and Joyce J. Scott.
Over 40 percent of the artwork on view at GFS has been produced at Johnson Atelier by artists ranging from Magdalena Abakanowicz, Beverly Pepper, George Segal, Kiki Smith, Michele Oka Donor, Tom Otterness, Roberto Lugo, and a rare work in bronze by Marisol.
“This integration allows for Johnson Atelier to more effectively cultivate relationships with artists who can add to the permanent collection of Grounds For Sculpture; and it better positions Grounds For Sculpture
comes from the creative storytelling that Lisa Naples is known for, and also from the way she invites us to a greater self-awareness of our own dignity — the ways we are grounded in gold.”
Naples’ work represents the larger community of ceramicists in the Delaware Valley region. Michener Art Museum, known for studio craft, acquired a Naples ceramic vessel in 2020 as part of its permanent collection. Titled Gestation II, its mirrored figural shape and two chimney-like openings explore the conception of an individual’s dualistic experience, where humans perceive themselves as separate from the world around them despite being intricately connected to it. Gestation II is temporarily relocated from the main galleries to be part of the exhibition.
The artist spent over two years producing the works on view in “Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold.”
to feed Johnson Atelier’s project pipeline with artist residencies and off-campus programming that increase the artists’ — and Grounds For Sculpture’s — reach with global audiences,” said Gary Garrido Schneider, executive director, Grounds For Sculpture.
“This unification of Grounds For Sculpture and Johnson Atelier is just as much a win for artists and the contemporary arts industry as it is for the members and visitors who will benefit from an enhanced cultural experience, with more opportunities to engage with internationally renowned artists and their process,” said Kathleen Greene, chief audience officer, Grounds For Sculpture.
For more information, visit groundsforsculpture.org.
“Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold” Exhibit at Michener Art Museum
The culmination of an ongoing 40-year studio career for nationally recognized ceramic artist Lisa Naples is on view through November 25 at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa.
The exhibition, “Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold,” demonstrates the Frenchtown-based artist and educator’s evolution from creating functional pottery to her celebrated reputation for abstract and narrative sculpture, which often features animals like rabbits and crows.
In her first solo exhibition at the Michener, Naples examines the inner experience of being human through abstract and animal sculptures that draw on the symbolism of gold.
Naples’ most recent group of sculptures, on public view for the first time, communicates the wide range of human experience with either two chimney-like openings or two rabbits facing towards or away from one another. While depicting the extremes of tenderness and estrangement, Naples grounds each piece in gold, representing what is most precious and sacred.
“What makes Lisa’s works so special is the way she’s able to take complex ideas and communicate them in her ceramics,” said Michener Art Museum Assistant Curator Abi Lua. “The beauty of this body of work
“This is the strongest, bravest work I’ve ever managed to create,” said Naples. “Exploring these deep questions could only happen by challenging my limits in ceramics. Even in a long studio career, this is the rarest of rare exhibitions. Manifesting the space and time to bring it into being feels like a small miracle.”
Naples has lectured and given workshops across the U.S. and has exhibited her art extensively, including at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, the National Building Museum of The Smithsonian Institution in DC, and the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. The National Council on the Education of Ceramic Artists (NCECA) honored her with an international residency at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, in 2005. Her work was featured in a four-person exhibition of narrative sculpture entitled “Contemporary Folklore at Michener Art Museum” in 2010. She was awarded the 2012 Ceramics Prize at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. Naples was awarded a New Jersey State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship in conjunction with Mid-Atlantic Arts in 2025.
Naples’ work is published in many books, including the 2024 release of The Complete Guide to Low Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors. In this volume, her custom satin-clear glaze is recognized as a staple for the low-mid fire temperature range. Later this year, Weywot Films is set to release a full-length documentary on Naples and her studio process for making the work included in “Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold.”
The exhibition program in the Bette and Nelson Pfundt Gallery is presented by Vivian Banta and Robert Field.
Concurrent with “Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold,” the gift shop at Michener Art Museum is stocked with ceramic works for sale from the Lisa Naples Clay Studio in Frenchtown. Contributing artists are Alison Goodman, Amy Horton, Judy Waitz, Karen Macainsh, Laurie Scupp, Mickie MarshallJacoby, and Tyree Dworak.
An Artist Talk with Lisa Naples is on Wednesday, July 16 from 1 to 2 p.m. ($10 member; $20 non-member). The Michener Art Museum
“LOST”: This work by Lisa Naples is featured in “Lisa Naples: Grounded in Gold,” on view through November 25 at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa. An Artist Talk Naples is on Wednesday, July 16 from 1 to 2 p.m.
is at 138 South Pine Street in in Doylestown, Pa. it is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free on the second Sunday of the month with support from Art Bridges Foundation. For more information visit michenerartmuseum.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” June 5 through July 6. An opening reception is on June 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com.
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Instant Gratificationz” and “Being Present: Exploration of Abstraction” through June 14. “Hours of Homecoming” is on view through June 12. Artscouncilofprinceton.org.
Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, has “John Stritzinger: How Trees See the World” and “Dutch Bagley: The Creative Tool” through June 15. Gallery14.org.
Gourgaud Gallery, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, has works by Stonebridge Photography Club members through June 27. Cranburyartscouncil.org.
Green Building Center, 67 Bridge Street, Lambertville, has “Awakenings” through June 20. Greenbuildingcenter.com.
Historical Society of Princeton, Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, has “Princeton Reflected: Stories from HSP’s Collection” and “Einstein Salon and Innovator’s Gallery.” Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. Princetonhistory.org .
Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution” through December 31, 2026. Mercermuseum.org.
Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa., has “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real” through July 27 and “Judith Schaechter: Super/Natural” through September 14. Michenerartmuseum .org
Milberg Gallery at Firestone Library, Princeton University, has “The Most Formidable Weapon Against Errors: The Sid Lapidus ’59 Collection & the Age of Reason” through June 8. Library.princeton.edu/ lapidus2025.
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, has “Historic Morven: A Window Into America’s Past” (ongoing). Morven.org.
The Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street, has “Held Together” through June 5. Catherinejmartzloff.com. Phillips’ Mill, 2619 River Road, New Hope, Pa., has “The Selma Burke Invitational African American Art Show” through June 29. Phillipsmill.org.
Silva Gallery of Art, Pennington School, 113 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington, has “The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys in America” through June 6. Pennington.org.
Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has photographs by Rebecca DePorte through July 1. An opening reception is on Friday, June 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Smallworldcoffee.com. Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, 299 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, has “Cultural Connections: Eastern European Artists from the Greater Trenton Area” through June 8. Ellarslie.org.
West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor, has “Member Show: Your Visual Story Through Art” through May 31. Westwindsorarts.org.
HARP OF DAVID #1: This work by Dina Wind is featured at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, which has merged with the Johnson Atelier.
(Photo: by Ken Ek)
Town Topics | Mark Your Calendar
Wednesday, June 4
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens. Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton at Princeton Soup and Sandwich, 30 Palmer Square.
7 p.m.: Author Edward Tenner discusses his book Why the Hindenburg Had a Smoking Lounge: Essays in Unintended Consequences at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.
Thursday, June 5
10 a.m.: Meeting of the 55 Plus Club of Princeton at The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street, and on Zoom. Ross Baker, Rutgers political science professor emeritus, will speak on “The House and Senate: The Non-Identical Twins.” Free ($5 donation suggested). Princeton55plus.org.
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos holds a weekly event titled Our Common Ground: Literature and Poetry in Community with People & Stories at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.libnet.info/ event/13266655.
7:30 p.m.: Stella Cole performs at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, as part of the Jazz in June festival. Mccarter.org.
Friday, June 6
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 ALBO Terhuneorchards.com.
7 p.m.: The Princeton Festival opens with “ICON: The Voices that Changed Music” in the tent behind Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw perform songs by Prince, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Elvis Presley, and others with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. Princetonsymphony.org/festival or (609) 497-0020.
7-10 p.m.: “Pride on the Plaza” community disco dance party to kick off Pride Month at Hinds Plaza. Live music by EAMC Disco Funk Machine; wear clothing inspired by the disco era. Free. Princetonlibrary.org.
7 p.m.: Princeton High School Jazz Ensemble Dance , Princeton High School cafeteria, 151 Moore Street. Jazz tunes and recent hits. Proceeds benefit the PHS Band program. $10 adults, $5 students. Princetonjazz.org.
7:30 p.m.: Special Shabbat service honoring the legacy of Har Sinai Temple , which is closing. At Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East, Princeton Junction. All are welcome. (609) 7999401.
8 p.m.: Fiddler on the Roof is performed by Theater to Go at Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, West Windsor. $24-$26. Kelseytheater.org or (609) 570-3333.
Saturday, June 7
8-10 a.m.: Spring Bird Walk with Winnie Hughes Spar at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. Presented by Friends of Princeton Open Space. Fopos.org.
9 a.m.-1 p.m.: West Windsor Community Farmers Market, Princeton Junction train station southbound side. More than 50 local farms and vendors. Wwcfm.org.
10-11:30 a.m.: Pride Hike at The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. Thewatershed.org.
10 a.m.-1 p.m.: 2nd Annual Community Appreciation Day in Cadwalader Park, Trenton. Part of Wear Orange Weekend for National Gun Violence Awareness. Live music, family-friendly activities, food, advocacy stations, resource tables. Free. Younitynj.org.
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Labyrinth Books participates in the New Jersey Bookstore Crawl , a statewide event. No set itinerary but raffle prizes will be awarded. 122 Nassau Street. Labyrinthbooks.com.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Old Time Baseball Game and Wash Day at Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Free. Howellfarm.org.
10 a.m.: Pride shorts for young people at the Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street. Part of the theater’s $5 Family Matinees series. Princetongardentheatre.org.
11 a.m.-7 p.m.: 13th Annual Cultural Festival and Food Truck Rally , Mercer County Park, West Windsor. Music, dance, and lots of food from different cultures. Mercercounty.org.
12-5 p.m.: Mill Hill Garden Tour in historic Mill Hill, Trenton. More than 20 urban gardens open to the public. Begin at Artworks, 19 Everett Alley and South Stockton Street. Free parking. $23.18 (kids under 12 free). Trentonmillhill.org.
12-11 p.m.: Annual Lebanese Festival at St. Sharbel Maronite Church, 526 Easton Avenue, Somerset. Food, music, dance, and traditions. Saintsharbelnj.org.
1 p.m.: Curator-led tour of “The Most Formidable Weapon Against Errors: The Sid Lapidus ’59 Collection & the Age of Reason,” at Princeton University Library’s Milberg Gallery. Meet in lobby of Firestone Library. Library.princeton. edu/lapidus2025.
2 and 8 p.m.: Fiddler on the Roof is performed by Theater to Go at Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, West Windsor. $24-$26. Kelseytheater. org or (609) 570-3333.
7 p.m.: Chris Harford and the Band of Changes perform at the Hopewell Theater, 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell. $35. Available on Eventbrite.com.
7:30 p.m. Jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves performs with Romero Lubambo at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, as part of the Jazz in June festival. Mccarter.org.
7:30 p.m.: La Fiocco period instrument ensemble in “The Lion and the Sun: Musical Splendors of Baroque Venice and Naples” at Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $10 for students. Lafiocco.org.
8 p.m.: Opera star Renee Fleming appears with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra at the Princeton Festival, under the tent at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Princetonsymphony.org.
Sunday, June 8
8 a.m.: YWCA Princeton’s 21st Annual Firecracker Run, starting at Veterans’ Park, 2206 Kuser Road, Hamilton. Races, lawn games, prizes, live DJ, and more. Visit ywcaprinceton.org/firecracker5k for registration information.
9-3:30 p.m.: Community Day at the Princeton Festival, under the tent at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Morning yoga, a farmers market, kidfriendly activities including the instrument petting zoo, and more. Free. Princetonsymphony.org/festival.
10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Rocky Hill Cooperative Nursery School 65th Anniversary Celebration , 15 Montgomery Avenue, Rocky Hill. Bubble show, music, crafts, plant sale, food, and more. Rsvp to alumni@rhcns.org
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Labyrinth Books participates in the New Jersey Bookstore Crawl , a statewide event. No set itinerary but raffle prizes will be awarded. 122 Nassau Street. Labyrinthbooks.com.
11 a.m.: Author Molly Jong-Fast discusses her memoir How to Lose Your Mother with Diana Weymar at Princeton Public Library. Registration requested. Princetonlibrary.org.
12-10 p.m.: Annual Lebanese Festival at St. Sharbel Maronite Church, 526 Easton Avenue, Somerset. Food, music, dance, and traditions. Saintsharbelnj.org.
1 p.m.: Curator-led tour of “The Most Formidable Weapon Against Errors: The Sid Lapidus ’59 Collection & the Age of Reason,” at Princeton University Library’s Milberg Gallery. Meet in lobby of Firestone Library. Library.princeton. edu/lapidus2025.
1 p.m.: Gardening with Native Plants with Judith K. Robinson, at Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue. Learn design elements and care of native plant gardens followed by a guided walk. $10. Ourworldchoices.com.
4 p.m.: The Princeton Festival presents “Sondheim in the City” with Melissa Errico under the tent at Morven, 55 Stockton Street. Princetonsymphony.org/festival.
5 p.m.: Choral Evensong for Pentecost at All Saints’ Church, 16 All
Saints’ Road. The Aura Polyphonica parish choir led by Kevin O’Malia performs works by Thomas Tallis, Sarah MacDonald, Joanna Forbes, L’Estrange, and Edward Elgar. Wine and cheese reception follows. Free. Allsaintsprinceton.org.
Monday, June 9
6 p.m.: Feminist Book Discussion Group at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. The book is The Last Fire Season: A Personal and Pyronatural History by Manjula Martin. Princetonlibrary.org.
Tuesday, June 10
9:30 and 11 a.m.: Read & Pick: Cherries, at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Hands-on farm activity followed by stories for kids preschool-8. $12 per child. Terhuneorchards.com.
3-8 p.m.: “Opera Bootcamp” is presented by The Princeton Festival Guild at Morven’s Stockton Education Center, 55 Stockton Street. Opera Delaware company artists join Princeton University Professor Rochelle Ellis and Tonie Marie Palmertree, who takes the lead role of Tosca , about the opera’s plot, vocal health, and more. Free. Includes a backstage
7 p.m.: The 2025 Albert Einstein Memorial Lecture is held at the Nassau Inn, Palmer Square. Harvey J. Alter, 2020 Nobel Prize winner for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, is the speaker. Free. Princetonchamber.org.
7 p.m.: Historian Rick Atkinson delivers the Princeton Battlefield Society’s Cadwalader Lecture at 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. $40. Washingtoncrossingpark.org.
7:30 p.m.: “Crossroads of the American Revolution” talk at Kingston Firehouse, 8 Heathcote Road, Kingston. Presented by the Kingston Historical Society; delivered by Carrie Fellows, executive director of New Jersey’s Crossroads of the American Revolution Association. Also offered on Zoom. Khsnj.org/talk.
Wednesday, June 11 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens . Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton on the steps of Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street.
S ports
Emerging as a Top Coxswain for PU Women’s Lightweights, Former Walk-On Every Helps Tigers Win Another IRA Title
Elena Every joined the women’s lightweight rowing program in 2021 to enrich her experience at Princeton University. It’s done even more for the senior coxswain than she ever could have expected.
“I’m really grateful for it,” said Every. “It’s a very unique experience. I didn’t expect to be able to call myself a student-athlete and I’m forever grateful for it.”
Having never played a sport growing up, Every caps her career as a threetime national champion after the Princeton varsity eight boat (also known as the 1V) won its grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) championship on the Cooper River in Camden on Sunday. In addition, Princeton won its fourth straight Commissioner’s Cup which is awarded to the squad with the most team points. The Tigers ended the regatta with 67 points to win the Cup with Harvard-Radcliffe coming in second with 59 points and Boston University taking third with 57.
It marked the fifth straight lightweight national title for the 1V and the second in a row for Every. As a sophomore, she was the cox for the women’s lightweight varsity four that also won IRA gold. Those experiences gave her confidence going into her final nationals.
“It would be the perfect way to top off my Princeton career,” said Every. “It would mean a lot. Everyone on this team has worked so hard to have this winning streak that we’ve had, and to be able to contribute one last time before I leave to that legacy and leave behind this legacy would be incredible.”
Every came to Princeton from the Douglas Anderson School of Arts in Florida.
The Jacksonville, Fla. resident grew up dancing, and expected to continue only that at Princeton as a student pursuing Public and International Affairs, not add a sport. She hadn’t played sports or even watched many sports growing up.
“I’m fairly small,” said Every. “I’ve never had a lot of opportunities where I could be competitive in sports. It wasn’t something I really tried, and I didn’t know walking onto college teams was a thing.”
A friend who was a coxswain on the Princeton men’s lightweight team encouraged her to give crew a try.
“He was telling me what they did and was saying incredible things about the women’s lightweight program,” said Every. “Coming into politics and dancing my whole life, I really wanted to take the opportunity to make the most of my college career and completely
pivot and try something completely different. And it gave me a similar space to dance that I really love, really competitive and having goals that you’re constantly working towards with the team, something that you can’t necessarily get out of writing essays in class.”
Every had a lot of catching up to do as she had no background in the sport.
“I knew absolutely nothing about rowing coming into this,” said Every. “The only exposure I had to rowing before walking onto the team was that one scene of the Winklevoss twins from The Social Network rowing in the tanks. I didn’t really know anything — that Princeton was such a top program — and once I walked on I saw how successful the program was doing, I saw how hard everyone worked, how dedicated all the recruited athletes and also the walkon rowers were incredible — our coaches do a great job working with them — and it was really inspiring. It made me really want to buy in and throw myself into the sport as much as I saw everyone else doing.”
After coxing the novice four-plus boat in a pair of races as a freshman, Every came back to make a jump to the varsity four. The boat made some history with their first Eastern Sprints gold since 2010 before winning
GIVING EVERYTHING: Princeton University women’s lightweight varsity eight coxswain Elena Every displays her focus as she guides the boat in recent action. Last Sunday, senior Every helped guide the Tiger top boat to first place in its grand final at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) championship on the Cooper River in Camden. It marked the fifth straight lightweight women’s national title for the varsity eight. In addition, Princeton won its fourth straight Commissioner’s Cup which is awarded to the squad with the most team points. The Tigers ended the regatta with 67 points to win the Cup with Harvard-Radcliffe coming in second with 59 points and Boston University taking third with 57.
their IRA crown by less than a second over MIT.
Her progression continued when she moved up to the varsity eight boat last year. The Tigers were unbeaten on their way to an Eastern Sprints title and an IRA gold. While she didn’t have rowing experience, her dance background was important.
“I do think dance came in very helpful,” said Every. “Rhythm is such an important part of what we’re doing in the boat – trying to set that perfect rhythm and I think that’s something that I’m constantly drawing on from my dance and music background. Also the synchronicity of being able to perfectly time up every single muscle of all eight rowers in one boat just being perfectly as one together is something that I’ve done taking dance my entire life. So being able to have that eye for it is really helpful.”
The varsity eight was unbeaten this spring right up to nationals even though it had new members in the boat. Claire Brockman is the only other senior. Three others besides Every are also walk-ons. Mimi French, Emma Mirrer and Hannah Hoselbarth are juniors, Cate Barry and Alice McCarthy are sophomores and Amelie McComb and Kalista Whildin are freshmen.
“It’s a lot of people that
are a little fresher to the college racing scene that are really excited to jump in and prove themselves and show the coaches and rowing world what they can do,” said Every.
The perfect record in the regular season put them in the favored role going into nationals, but the Tigers defused some of that pressure with a mindset that has been working for them.
“I think it’s a hard position to be in,” said Every. “You never want to take anything for granted. It’s hard to make sure you’re not being lulled into a false sense of where you’re taking any race for granted. We talk about this all the time, but we take this approach that every race is like the first race of the season, approaching every race almost with a mindset that we’ve never won this cup before. We won the Cup ’24 IRAs, but we never won the Cup ’25 IRAs so this is a completely new cup and race for us to win. So really having that fresh perspective. It’s never about a matter of us defending a title, it’s about going after a new one.”
The Saturday semifinals left a little doubt as Princeton finished second to Harvard-Radcliffe, but advanced to the final. Their second-place finish was motivation heading into the
grand final Sunday as Princeton beat Radcliffe by more than three seconds thanks to clocking an IRA record time of 6:19.320 over the 2,000-meter course.
“I think it’s composure and confidence,” said Every. “We work really hard all year to get where we are. We’re a really tough crew and I think a lot of that is owed to the fact that we never have moments of doubt – are we fast enough, are we good enough? We are fast enough. We are good enough. And never letting that doubt creep in and settle in our minds and really trusting each other knowing that we all have each other’s backs, that every single person in the boat is pulling just as hard as everyone to really push ourselves forward. Everyone is taking care of all the small details from nutrition and sleep and recovery and just making sure when it all comes together and we’re sitting at the start that we trust each other and know exactly what we can do and being confident in our speed.”
That confidence paid off again for Every and the Princeton lightweight women. She’ll have one more chance to race in the boat this summer at the Henley Royal Regatta in England before she intends to pursue a non-profit public sector role. Every had made the most of each chance to compete and do something that she never anticipated meaning so much to her time at Princeton.
“It’s been the most incredible experience that I never expected to walk into,” said Every. “I’ve never done sports in my life and I was encouraged to walk on with the women’s lightweight program my freshman year. The fact that I started out as a walk-on my freshman year and been able to move up the ranks to be able to have the 1V was an incredible experience .”
—Justin Feil
(Photo by Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
Ending her PU Open Crew Career on a High Note, Barry Helps 2nd Varsity Eight Take Third at NCAAs
As a co-captain of the Princeton University women’s open crew team this year, Ella Barry was determined to set a positive tone.
“I think we worked well together,” said senior Barry, who led the squad along with classmate Katherine George. “For us, it is being supportive, being on the girls but also making sure we were having fun along the way because the most important thing is that you are having fun and enjoying the sport.”
Last Sunday, Barry had a lot of fun in the last race of her Princeton career as she helped the Tigers second varsity eight place third in its grand final at the NCAA Championships on Mercer Lake. The bronze medal was the first medal for the second varsity at the NCAAs since 2014 and just the third medal for the boat overall at the event (1997). The second varsity eight’s performance helped Princeton take sixth in the team standings at the event won by Stanford.
Coming off a semifinal win on Saturday, Barry and her boatmates were primed for a big effort in the grand final.
“It was really exciting, it gave us good confidence going in because we had a good piece,” said Barry, a native of Oyster Bay, N.Y. “The conditions have been challenging for sure. We had a pretty intense tailwind, it was choppy. It was a good opportunity to test our speed and set us up well for the final.”
Displaying its speed, the Tigers battled Stanford and Washington tooth-and-nail in the grand final. While the Cardinal never lost the lead, Princeton and the Huskies were gaining over the last 1,000 meters. In the end, Stanford had a winning time of 6:13.07 over the 2,000-meter course with Washington coming in at 6:14.93 and the Tigers just behind in 6:15.02.
“Our race plan was just to handle the conditions as well as possible,” said Barry. “It was get out there and be confident and get to our base because we have a strong base. We were gaining, it was amazing.”
Earning a bronze was an amazing achievement for the boat. “It is very exciting,” said Barry. “This is a great group of girls. I think we have really come together. We overcame a lot of challenging things over the year.”
Rowing out of the six-seat, Barry has looked to push the “engine room” in the center of the boat.
“I think of myself as the girl that backs up the stroke,” said Barry, who bounced back from surgery last fall to deal with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome when one of her ribs was impinging on a vein that caused a blood clot. “I am leading the middle four. It is fun because we have so many different years in this boat between freshmen and seniors.”
Having her younger sister, Cate, competing the last two years for the Princeton women’s lightweight crew was a lot of fun for Barry.
“It is such a big family,” said Barry of the boathouse. “I love having her, it was a really fun experience to have her the last two years. I will be in New York next year so I will visit her. It is so nice. I know the lightweight women better now because of her.”
Princeton head coach Lori Dauphiny liked the way her women competed as they dealt with injury on the eve of the competition.
“I am so proud of them, we lost a key player on our team in the varsity eight, Sam Smart, and the entire program rallied,” said Dauphiny. “It changed every boat. It was really impressive to see what they were able to do. The injury happened the day before we left. It is OK, those things happen and you have to absorb them on the team. It is really hard. I was super proud of them to rally and to race hard.”
The second varsity eight produced the major highlight of the regatta for the Tigers.
“For me, the 2V was the star,” said Dauphiny. “I think they were gaining confidence throughout the season and then even here from the heat to the semi. They were learning more about their speed and gaining confidence. They felt really good going into the final and I thought they executed well. The final is always tough. Those conditions were so difficult and they really managed it. I think it is very special to get up on the podium.”
Dauphiny credited Barry with being a major influence on team and her boat.
“She is a co-captain and has been a force on our team since the day she arrived as a freshman,” said Dauphiny. “She has always led by example. Having two seniors in that boat, Alice Patton and Ella, was special because they did bring an expertise, knowledge, and wisdom to the rest of the boat. I think that helped them gain confidence as well.”
After a disappointing fifthplace finish in its semifinal, the Tiger varsity eight rebounded to take first in the petite final on Sunday and place seventh overall at the regatta.
“That is such a hard thing to do,” said Dauphiny. “We have been in the petite final before. It is really easy to lose heart and say oh we are not going to do it but they stepped up. They did get better with each race. They said the final was a challenging one; it was a lot of survival out in the tough conditions.”
Princeton’s varsity four placed sixth in its petite final to finish 12th overall.
“They did well too; they also had a lineup change too and there is only four people,” said Dauphiny.
“Percy [Wayne] stepped in as the spare and moved into the four which was fantastic. I think the four also stepped up to the occasion. It was a hard position to be put in but they did it. They did a nice job, I think they gave it their all. They left everything they had on the race course.”
Reflecting on the season overall, Dauphiny believed her rowers gave their all from start to finish.
“I was so proud of them at the Ivy Championship; I am really excited for our league that Yale won the varsity eight grand final today,” said Dauphiny, whose varsity eight placed first in the Ivy grand final last month with the Tigers taking second overall in the team standings at that event. “It was the fastest depth in the league that I have seen and I have been at Princeton for a long time. The interesting thing here too was I think this was
one of the most competitive fields as well. Looking at the times and the heats and the semis for the 1V8, 11 teams were within four seconds of each other. That was pretty special as well. You just can’t miss a beat with that level of competition.”
Barry, for her part, views her involvement with the crew program as a very special part of her time at Princeton.
“It goes so fast; in these four years, rowing has been one of the most formative experiences I have ever had,” said Barry, who is going to be working as a paralegal for a New York City law firm as she starts life after college. “In many ways, it was the foundation of my undergraduate experience. Your teammates become your best friends. The discipline of it was amazing because it helped me set up my day and my schedules. I actually did better in school because of rowing. You are more on it.”
—Bill Alden
EL TRAIN: Princeton University women’s open crew senior co-captain Ella Barry displays her form in a race this spring. Last Sunday, senior co-captain Barry helped the Tiger second varsity eight place third in its grand final in the NCAA Championships on Mercer Lake. The bronze medal was the first medal for the second varsity at NCAAs since 2014 and just the third medal for the boat overall at the event (1997). (Photo by Row2K, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
Men’s Crews Battle Hard at IRA Regatta
But Come Up Just Short in Race for Medals
Competing in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships last weekend on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J., Princeton University men’s crews got themselves in contention for medals.
The Tigers men’s heavyweight varsity eight and third varsity eight reached their grand final as did the Princeton men’s lightweight varsity eight and second varsity eight. Unfortunately, despite some valiant efforts, none of the four boats earned a spot on the podium.
As for the heavyweights, the varsity eight finished fourth in its grand final with a time of 5:32.200 over the 2,000-meter course, narrowly missing out on a medal as very little separated the top four boats. Washington placed first in 5:29.78 with Harvard taking second in 5:30.750 and Dartmouth coming in third at 5:30.900
The men’s heavyweight 3V took fifth in its grand final, clocking a time of 5:42.070 with Harvard taking first in 5:29.060 followed by Washington (5:29.090), California (5:33.550) , and Yale (5:40.790).
The Tigers finished fifth in the team point standings for the regatta’s Ten Eyck Trophy with 237 points. Washington took first with 285 with Harvard (279) taking second, Cal (244) coming in third and Brown (238) finishing fourth.
The Tiger men’s lightweight varsity eight finished fifth (5:36.750) in its grand final. Harvard placed first in 5:29.620 followed by Dartmouth (5:32.250), MIT (5:34.390), and Penn (5:34.910).
The Princeton lightweights earned a fourth-place finish in the team standings at the event as they totaled 37.5 points. Harvard placed first with 54 while Dartmouth took second (45), and Penn placed third (43.5).
—Bill Alden
PU Sports Roundup
Princeton Men’s Golf Has 4 Named All-Region
After a 2024-25 season that included an Ivy League championship and a trip to the NCAA Regionals, four Princeton University men’s golfers have been named PING AllRegion by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Rising senior Riccardo Fantinelli, rising sophomore Reed Greyserman, recently-graduated William Huang, and rising junior Charlie Palmer each were named All-Northeast Region, accounting for four of the six Ivy League selections. For Fantinelli and Huang, the All-Region selection
The men’s lightweight second varsity eight came agonizingly close to a medal, missing out by the slimmest of margins, finishing fourth in 5:43.170 as it narrowly trailed third-place Columbia (5:42.850). Harvard came in first at 5:39.980 in the grand final with Penn Quakers coming in second with a time of 5:41.300.
follows up similar recognition in 2024. Fantinelli is now a three-time PING All-Region selection, earning the honor in each of his first three seasons of collegiate golf.
A 2024 honorable mention PING All-American, Fantinelli was the 2025 Ivy League medalist and Ivy Player of the Year — making him a two-time Ivy Player of the Year after also earning the honor in 2024. He recorded two wins during this past season, adding a win at the Howard/USF Intercollegiate to his victory at the Ivy Championship. He played in nine tournaments during the regular season and was inside the Top 10 in five.
A first-team All-Ivy selection in his debut campaign, Greyserman won the 2025 Princeton Invitational and was inside the Top 10 in four of his eight regular season starts.
A four-time All-Ivy honoree, Huang won the 2024 Georgetown Intercollegiate for his third career victory. He played in seven tournaments overall, and was Top 10 in three of them.
A second-team All-Ivy selection this season, Palmer is a first-time All-Region selection in his second season for the Tigers.
Tiger Track Athletes Qualify for NCAA Championships
Several Princeton University track athletes punched their tickets to the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships as they competed last weekend at the NCAA East First Round meet in Jacksonville, Fla.
As for the Tiger men, Greg Foster qualified in the long jump with a fourth-place finish, Harrison Witt took second in the 1,500 meters to make
it, Sam Rodman advanced in the 800 by winning his heat, and Casey Helm qualified in the discus with a fourth-place finish. In addition, the 4x400 relay quartet of Karl Dietz, Xavier Donaldson, Kavon Miller, and Joey Gant took second in their heat to advance.
On the women’s side, Shea Greene took second in the javelin to earn her spot while Mena Scatchard finished seventh in the 1,500 to qualify and Georgina Scoot placed sixth in the long jump and eighth in the triple jump to advance in both events.
The NCAA championship meet will take place from June 11-14 in Eugene, Ore. PU Football’s Richard Wins Black Student Award Princeton University football player Aaron Richard was named last week as one of the 2025 Black Student Athlete Summit Athletes of the Year.
The Black Student Athlete Summit (BSAS) was held in Chicago, Ill., last week. BSAS unites student-athletes, athletic professionals, and industry innovators for four days of programming. Participants engage in career development sessions, financial literacy workshops, and wellness activities designed to prepare them for life beyond sports.
“Serving as Co-President of Princeton’s Black Student Athlete Collective (BSAC) this past year has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time so far at Princeton,” said rising senior Richard on his LinkedIn account. “I’ve had the chance to meet so many inspiring individuals and be part of beautiful projects and opportunities that continue to shape me.”
Experience Exceptional Senior Living at
The BSAC serves as the liaison between students, coaches, and the athletic department staff to support student-athletes of color. Recognizing that Black student-athletes at Princeton face unique challenges in navigating in the high intensity environment created by the combination of elite athletic competition and academic obligations, the BSAC is committed to promoting a
culture of inclusivity and acceptance, and building relationships among students, coaches, Princeton Athletics staff, and the wider campus community.
Defensive lineman Richard, a 6’0, 240-pound native of Gadsden, Ala., has played in 17 games during his career for the Tigers, including all 10 this past season when he had 14 total tackles.
GOING TO DISNEY: Princeton University men’s basketball player Dalen Davis dribbles upcourt in a game last season. Princeton announced last week that it will be taking part in the 2025 Terry’s Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational from November 24-28 at the Walt Disney World Resort’s State Farm Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. The event will feature 16 teams and the Tigers have been assigned to the “Adventure Bracket” which will also include Bradley, Liberty, Rhode Island, Temple, Towson, UC San Diego, and Vermont
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
PHS Boys’ Lax Falls to Red Bank Regional in State Opener
As Sophomore Attacker Pomraning Stars in a Losing Cause
Gavin Pomraning was primed to step up when the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team opened play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 tournament last Thursday.
With PHS senior star Brendan Beatty sidelined by injury as the eighth-seeded Tigers faced ninth-seeded Red Bank Regional, sophomore attacker Pomraning was looking to help fill that void.
“The offense definitely changes without Brendan, that is like 70 points gone right there,” said Pomraning. “Me and Michael [Frenia] and Braden [Barlag] tried to make up for that.”
After the PHS fell behind 3-0 in the first quarter, Pomraning got the Tigers on the board with a goal early in the second quarter. Less than a minute later, junior midfielder Declan Hughes found the back of the net to narrow the gap to 3-2.”
“After Declan scored, I thought we were back in the game,” said Pomraning.
But the game got away from PHS as it was outscored 5-1 in the third quarter on the way to a 13-4 defeat.
“There just some sloppy turnovers that cost us,” said Pomraning reflecting on the loss that left the Tigers with a final record of 10-9. “I feel like we just hung our heads too much.”
Pomraning kept his head up, adding two more goals in the second half to end up
with a hat trick in the game which was played at Princeton Day School with the PHS turf field being resurfaced.
“I feel like I had some shots that I wanted back but overall three goals is pretty solid,” said Pomraning. “I definitely cost my team some opportunities.”
After riding the bench as a freshman, Pomraning produced a solid sophomore campaign, tallying 21 goals and 18 assists this spring.
“Last year, I didn’t play much,” said Pomraning. “I was on the second line for the midfield so I got a big opportunity to play attack this year. I feel like it was amazing, I had a fun time.”
Pomraning made a lot of progress in his playmaking as he took advantage of his opportunity on attack.
“I grew a lot as a player, definitely with my assists and finding the open guy,” said Pomraning. “Coach [Chip] Casto was always pushing me, he definitely helps me in practice a lot and in games and just watching film. Being around Brendan and Braden definitely helped that.”
While the loss to Red Bank Regional stung, Pomraning saw a lot of positives coming out of the spring for the Tigers.
“I feel like it was a great season,” said Pomraning.
“The Hun game (a 10-9 overtime win on May 6) was great, that showed what type of program that we have and the guys we have got. I feel like
we had a great season with great senior leadership and amazing coaching.”
PHS head coach Casto felt like his squad primed for a big performance against Red Bank Regional.
“We had two good days of practice, we started to play our zone a little better,” said Casto. “Their 26 (Gabe Pape) was obviously a handful, it is hard to simulate that when we saw him live. We did a decent job on him but any open shot he got, he stuck.”
Casto believed the Tigers were in decent shape when they drew to within 3-2 early in the second quarter.
“I thought of we could get contributions from people who don’t have big games usually,” said Casto. “We were hoping that Declan would take advantage of the shortstick.”
PHS did get a big game from Pomraning. “He is holding the ball better, controlling it a little better and shooting a little better,” said Casto. “He is young; he, Michael [Frenia], Ben [Kahn] and Sam [Gibb] are a pretty good future - three sophomores and a freshman.”
Junior midfielder Carmine Carusone helped the Tigers get the ball with his work in the face-off X.
“Carmine finished the year in a big way,” said Casto. “He was really strong for us. Usually when he is winning at the X, we are winning games.”
PHS did face an uphill battle without Beatty, a University of Vermont commit
who piled up 47 goals and 33 assists before he got hurt.
“As soon as that one domino falls, you have to switch positions and switch manups,” said Casto. “It is really hard to keep that level of play. Brendan is such a huge part of the team emotionally and he is smart.”
Reflecting on the season, Casto acknowledged that the Tigers had a hard time playing at a consistently high level.
“As roller-coaster as a high school season can go, it was up and down, up and down,” said Casto. “There were some great highs. At one point we were thinking about making a run and then injury hit us and a lull hit us.”
The team’s senior group,
led by Beatty and Barlag, helped hold things together through the ups and downs.
“They were fantastic they have been around since Will Doran when he as a senior and they were freshman,” said Casto, whose corps of seniors also included Matt Thomson, Wyatt Arshan, Jack Crotty, Henry Crotty, Connor Hewitt, and Corbin Kasziba. “They were outstanding leaders. The locker room was great. It was the best weight room we had in the offseason. Practices went well under their command. It was a great senior class that hopefully these young guys have learned how to follow them and how to run a team.”
Looking ahead, Casto
believes those young guys have a bright future.
“We have a great foundation talent-wise but they have to learn the culture a little better and keep themselves accountable a little bit better,” said Casto.
Pomraning vows that he and the team’s other returning players will be putting in the work over the offseason to get the most out of their talent.
“We will all be in the weight room and shooting all of the time,” said Pomraning, who plays for plays outside of school for N.J. Lacrosse Club and the Barnstormers. “We have 300 more days until the season starts. I have a packed summer and fall.”
—Bill Alden
2025 SUMMER BBA HOOPS
Dates: 1st Week: June 30 - July 3 & 2nd Week: July 21-25
Grades: First Hoopers
More Information Contact Coach Bailey (917) 626-5785 or kamau.bailey@gmail.com
With Mathewson Showing Progress at 1st Singles, PHS Boys’
Tennis Advances to Sectional Semifinal
Garrett Mathewson got off to a good start for the Princeton High boys’ tennis team as it hosted Matawan last week in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2 Group 3 tournament.
Junior first singles star Mathewson looked sharp as he won the first set 6-1 against Raymond Jiang in the May 27 match.
“I had some good slice serves today, that was good,” said Mathewson. “I have been working on my second serve, getting it high, getting it bouncier. I had a few good returns.”
In the second set, Mathewson got pushed but held on to prevail by a final score of 6-1, 6-3 to cap a 5-0 win for top-seeded PHS over eighthseeded Matawan.
“I hit some double faults to get broken once for the first time in the match,” said Mathewson. “He was a good player, he hit some big serves and big forehands. It is very hard to break a player like that. I am glad that I was able to make sure that it didn’t go to 5-4.”
In his second season at first singles for PHS, Mathewson has enjoyed the challenge of taking on opponents like Jiang.
“It is a great experience playing first singles, playing a lot of good players,” said Mathewson. “It is a lot of good practice and a lot of good matches.”
Yamada rolled to a comfortable 6-4, 6-0 win against Matawan.
“Sadly they haven’t gotten to play together all that much because we have had to pull one or both into singles,” said Hibbert of the duo, who won their flight at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament earlier this spring. “They played together today, counties was obviously a real highlight for them. The have the potential when they are on. They play really well together.”
The Tigers have displayed their depth this season as injuries and illness have necessitated frequent reshuffling of the lineup.
“Everyone has really stepped up this year, they have played wherever they have been asked to,” said Hibbert. “Some have gone from second doubles to third singles.”
Hibbert knew her players would have to step up in the match against Ridge.
“We have a very, very
tough bracket, we have six of the top 20 teams in the same section,” said Hibbert, whose first doubles pair of Zaveri and Yamada pulled out a win against Ridge in a 10-point match tiebreak as did the second doubles pair of Aashil Patel and Matt Chen. “We really have to play our best tennis, everyone has to be healthy and mentally prepared, bringing their best game that day.”
Mathewson, for his part, was confident that PHS would be a tough out in the state tournament.
“We have a lot of potential, we don’t have Melvin [Huang] like last year,” said Mathewson, who posted a straight-set win last Friday as the Tigers wrapped up the spring by defeating Robbinsville 5-0 in a regular season match to finish with a 9-3 record. “Our doubles teams have done really good. I think if everyone is playing well, we are a dangerous team for anyone.”
—Bill Alden
Last Friday, Mathewson and the Tigers experienced some heartbreak as they lost 3-2 to fourth-seeded Ridge in the semifinal round with three matches being decided by 10-point match tiebreaks. Mathewson, for his part, was hoping to build on the progress he has made this season as he looked ahead to the semifinal clash.
“I have been going more for my shots,” said Mathewson, who lost 10-4 in a 10-point match tiebreak after splitting the first two sets with Vihaan Iyer in the match with Ridge. “I have had more of a game plan. I have been working on that. It is a lot more focus on strategy, things like that.”
PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert credited Mathewson with working through some ups and downs this spring.
“He gets challenged, there are always good players,” said Hibbert. “He had some injuries as well so he has been trying to get back to his top form again. He played well today.”
Hibbert was encouraged by how the Tigers performed against Matawan as they played their first match in 15 days.
“We haven’t been out on court in a while so we didn’t know what to expect and it was nice getting out on court,” said Hibbert. “It was a decent day and having an opponent that was a good challenge but yet it was an achievable win. It was a nice way for us to get our feet on to the ground for the first round. We were just a little rusty. It was good to have a match that we had to work for a little bit but it was a comfortable win.”
The PHS first doubles pair of
Shaan Zaveri and Tacto
BACK AT YOU: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Garrett Mathewson smacks a backhand in recent action. Last week, junior star Mathewson posted a straight-set win at first singles to help top-seeded PHS defeat eighth-seeded Matawan 5-0 in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 2 Group 3 tournament. Last Thursday, Mathewson fell 10-4 in a 10-point match tiebreak after splitting the first two sets with Vihaan Iyer as PHS lost 3-2 to fourth-seeded Ridge in the semifinal round. A day later, the Tigers wrapped up the spring by defeating Robbinsville 5-0 in a regular season match to finish with a 9-3 record.
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
PDS Baseball Reaches Non-Public Quarterfinals As Young Squad Showed Growth Down the Stretch
Having its New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public South Jersey Group B opener delayed by a day due to rain, the Princeton Day School baseball team was chomping at the bit to get its state run underway when it faced Wildwood Catholic last Thursday.
“We got pushed back a day and then we couldn’t play at home so we had to shoot up to Diamond Nation,” said PDS head coach Eric Schnepf. “The boys came out and played really well.”
The Panthers rolled to an 8-1 win as it excelled in all phases of the game.
“We swung it well,” said Schnepf. “Keegan [Fullman] gave us six strong innings and then Cameron [Kelemen] came in and shut the door. We played solid defense. It was a good day for us.”
It was a very good day for sophomore Fullman who went 3 for 4 with one run and two RBIs at the plate in addition to his stellar work on the mound which saw him strike out six and give up just six hits.
“Keegan just came out and he was ready to go,” added Schnepf. “He played great. He hit well, he threw well. It was a big effort he gave us.”
Freshman AJ Doran and senior Luke Haan had some big hits in the win as Doran went 1 for 2 with one run and two RBIs while Haan was 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI.
“AJ has been swinging a really good bat all year,” said Schnepf. “Luke came in and
has been swinging a really good bat as of late too.”
Getting a win in the first round in the Non-Public tournament for a second straight year was a confidence builder for the program.
“It is not just advancing but playing good baseball,” said Schnepf. “That is the big thing. They realize that when they play well, they can compete. That is what it takes to perform at a high level.”
On Friday, the Panthers competed hard at thirdseeded Doane Academy in the quarterfinal round, falling behind 4-0 and then rallying for one run in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth to narrow the gap to 5-4. Doane, though, responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth and held on for a 7-4 win.
“[Jacob] Powell came out and threw a really good game, he was taking it to us early,” said Schnepf, whose team ended the season with a 10-17 record. “We got to him a little bit late where we started to string some stuff together. They brought in a reliever and the two of them were able to shut the door that inning. Credit to their offense too, right after we put up a couple of runs they came back and responded.”
Schnepf was proud of the way his players responded down the stretch as the Panthers went 10-8 after starting 0-9.
“I think the boys played really well; the goals are simple but they are effective,” said
Schnepf. “You always want to continue to elevate the standard and grow the culture. You expect the boys to come out and compete and overcome adversity. If you are able to do those things more often than not, it shows in the wins and losses. Not only did we see improvement from last year but we did it with a relatively young group.”
In assessing the team’s progress over the course of the spring, Schnepf pointed to the growth of its young players and the leadership of the veterans.
“I would say the first thing was just getting over the growing pains,” said Schnepf. “Our younger guys getting comfortable with the pace of the game and the expectations of it. The older guys just continue to lead. They did a good job all year of setting the tone, setting the standard and mentoring those younger guys along. Everyone just got a little more comfortable. We were able to come out and be competitive and be confident.”
While the Panthers have a good foundation in place with such returners as freshman Vince Filis, junior Grayson McLaughlin, sophomore Mason Roitburg, and freshman Gavin Ross along with freshman Kelemen, freshman Doran, and sophomore Fullman, Schnepf acknowledges that the team’s seniors are having a big void.
“We are really excited to be bringing a good chunk of the team back but with that being said we are going to miss our seniors,”
said Schnepf, whose senior group included Santino Cignarella, Dylan Powers, and Haan. “You are going to miss them not just for what they do on the field. I have had them now for three years and they have understood what is expected of them and the culture we want to build. Losing those leaders is tough and you just hope that there are guys who are ready, willing and able to step up and continue to elevate the standard and the culture.”
Schnepf believes that the less experienced players soaked up valuable lessons from the senior trio.
“All three of them were really good leaders,” said Schnepf. “They took care of business on the field, they got along with the kids really well off the field. I think some of our younger guys latched on to them to see how they do things. They handled the day-to-day, so hopefully our younger guys now can continue to grow.”
Overall, the PDS program is in a good place with the growth it has shown in Schnepf’s three years at the helm.
“You are happy with where you are but you are never content or satisfied,” said Schnepf. “Going back to year one, I think we all appreciate the growth that we have seen but with that being said, we still have a long way to go. If we can continue to focus on the things that we can control — how we show up every day, our competitiveness — your hope is that you can continue to improve in all areas.”
—Bill Alden
New Jersey State
Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public South Jersey Group B tournament. Fullman got the win on the mound and went 3 for 4 with one run and two RBIs at the plate. The Panthers went on to fall 7-4 to thirdseeded Doane Academy in the quarterfinal round last Friday to end the spring with a 10-17 record.
FULL EFFORT: Princeton Day School baseball player Keegan Fullman makes contact in a 2024 game. Last Thursday, sophomore Fullman starred with his arm and bat as sixth-seeded PDS defeated 11th-seeded Wildwood Catholic 8-1 in the first round of the
Interscholastic
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
Boys’ Lacrosse : Hart Nowakoski starred in a losing cause as 17th-seeded PDS fell 8-4 to 16th-seeded Rutgers Prep last Wednesday in the first round of the New Jersey
State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group Non-Public tournament. Senior midfielder Nowakoski tallied three goals as the Panthers finished the spring with a 7-10 record.
Boys’ Tennis : Dropping a nail-biter, seventh-seeded PDS lost 3-2 to second-seeded Moorestown Friends last Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey
State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public tournament. The Panthers got straight-set wins in the match from the first doubles pair of Avi Saran and Steven Li and the second doubles duo of Archie Douglas and Faizan Mohammad. The loss left the Panthers with a final record of 9-6.
PHS PDS
DOUBLE CENTURY: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse standout Quinn Gallagher, right, heads to goal in action this season. Last Thursday, junior attacker Gallagher tallied two goals in a losing cause as 11th-seeded PHS fell 11-8 to sixth-seeded Red Bank Regional in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 3 tournament. In so doing, Gallagher hit the 200-point mark in her Tiger career. PHS ended the spring with a 12-10 record.
Baseball : Will Arns went 1 for 2 and scored the lone run for PHS as the 13thseeded Tigers fell 11-1 to fourth-seeded Hightstown last week in the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 tournament. The loss in the May 27 contest left PHS with a final record of 9-12.
Local Sports
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.
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 (9-11:45 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.
There will be an open house at the BBA facility for parents and players on June 17 at 6 p.m. which will include an information session, games, prizes, and a sports give-a-way.
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.
1st-Ever Princeton Triathlon
Scheduled for June 7
The first-ever Princeton Triathlon is being held on June 7 and will include a super sprint triathlon, super sprint triathlon relay, duathlon, and aquabike which are for all ages 13-and-above along with a youth triathlon event for those ages 7-12.
All events start and finish at the Community Park Pool at 380 Witherspoon Street in Princeton with primary parking at the Community Park School at 372 Witherspoon Street.
Packet pickup, check-in and transition opens at 5:30 a.m. on June 7 with warmup opening and pre-race briefing beginning at 6:45 a.m. The triathlon swim start and duathlon run start are slated to start at 7 a.m.
For race information and to register, log onto runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Princeton/PrincetonTriathlon.
All participants will receive a shirt upon checking in on race day along with a medal upon finishing.
Beneficiaries of the event are Dare2Tri (a national nonprofit organization that aids disabled athletes), Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, and the Princeton High Triathlon Club. YWCA Firecracker 5K Slated for June 8
The YWCA Princeton Firecracker 5K Run/Walk is slated for June 8 at Veteran’s Park at 2206 Kuser Road in Hamilton.
Same-day registration begins at 7 a.m. with the race starting at 8 a.m.
There will be an awards ceremony starting at approximately 9 a.m. There will be awards for the overall male and female, top three male and female runners, along with the top male and female runners in 16 different age groups.
For more info on the race and to register online, log onto YWCA Princeton’s Firecracker 5K (runsignup.com).
Tell them you saw their ad in
(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
BIG SHOT: Princeton High boys’ track star Sean Wilton celebrates after a big throw during the indoor season. Last weekend, senior star and Brown University commit Wilton came up big at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state meet at Franklin High. Wilton placed first in the shot put with a personal best and school record heave of 60’7.5 and fifth in the discus with a best mark of 166’9. Wilton will be competing in the NJSIAA Outdoor Track & Field Meet of Champions on June 4 at Pennsauken High. PHS junior Kajol Karra will also be taking part in the Meet of Champions as she qualified in the girls’ 3,200-meter run.
(Photo by Rohan Viswanathan)
Frederick Martin Brubaker, lovingly known as Fred or Bru, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, kindness, and achievement. For 60 years, he shared an enduring bond with his beloved wife, Sharon Carey Brubaker, together raising four children who were the heart of his life.
Born in Ashland, Ohio, to Donald and Margery Brubaker, Fred’s early years were rooted in the values of family and community. After graduating high school, he pursued higher education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning a B.S. in Pharmacy and an M.B.A. It was there that he met Sharon Carey, his soulmate and partner in all things. They married in Ann Arbor and soon embarked on their life together in Evansville, Indiana, where Fred launched his distinguished career and began building his family.
Fred’s 30-year career with Mead Johnson, later Bristol Myers Squibb, was marked by dedication and impact. Beginning as a marketing
intern, he rose to an executive role, playing a pivotal part in bringing innovative prescription drugs to market, improving countless lives. Equally meaningful to Fred were the relationships he forged, mentoring colleagues and fostering their professional growth with the same care he gave to all aspects of his life.
Alongside his professional achievements, Fred nurtured a vibrant 25-year family life in Evansville, where he and Sharon raised their four children: Mark, Kristin, Julie, and Matthew. In 1990, a new leadership role led Fred, Sharon, and Matthew to Princeton, New Jersey, where they created 25 more years of cherished memories. In 2016, drawn to be near Kristin, Julie, and Matthew, they relocated to Highlands Ranch, Colorado, where Fred continued to live with purpose and joy. His family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care provided by the wonderful Vi Care Center staff who loved Fred as much as he loved them.
Above all, Fred was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose love for his family knew no bounds. He took immense pride in their endeavors, offering unwavering support and celebrating their every achievement and milestone. In preparation for his marriage and family life, he embraced the Catholic faith with profound conviction and the spiritual foundation of his character.
A passionate golfer, Fred found delight in the game, playing stunning courses throughout the world with friends and family, where his infectious enthusiasm and competitive spirit shone. A loyal and proud Wolverine, he cheered passionately for the University of Michigan football team and championed future generations
8:00 am: Holy Communion Rite I 10:00 am: Holy Communion Rite II
The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector The Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade, Assoc. Rector
33 Mercer St. Princeton • 609-924-2277 www.trinityprinceton.org
through a pharmacy scholarship for promising students in need.
Fred is survived by his cherished wife, Sharon; children Mark Brubaker (Orange County, CA), Kristin Poister and husband Paul (Denver, CO), Julie Brubaker (Littleton, CO), and Matthew Brubaker (Littleton, CO); sister Becky Blong (Florence, AZ); daughter-inlaw Shelly Brubaker (Dublin, OH); brothers-in-law Bill Carey and wife Kathleen (Kensington, MD), Mike Carey and wife Jan (The Villages, FL), Jim Carey (Ann Arbor, Ml); and grandchildren Hank Brubaker (Hilliard, OH), Jack Brubaker (Orange County, CA), Anna Brubaker (San Diego, CA), Jonathan Poister (Denver, CO), and Abby Poister (Denver, CO); as well as many nieces and nephews. Their lives are richer for his love. He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Tom Carey and Lee Blong.
In lieu of flowers, Fred’s family encourages you to honor his memory with a charitable contribution to a cause close to your heart or by performing an act of kindness, reflecting the generosity that defined his life.
Eleanor Nelson
Eleanor Nelson passed away peacefully at the age of 97 in the early morning hours of May 31 at her home amongst her family and beautiful garden. She was born in 1927 in Perth Amboy. Her father died when she was 3 ½ and her mother raised her younger sister and her through the Great Depression with the help of family, friends and neighbors.
Her special talent for music led her to study at Trenton State Teachers College where, again with the help of her extended family of friends and neighbors, she was able to continue her studies and graduate with the top job offer at the time, at Valley Road School in Princeton. She was the first music teacher ever hired in the township.
She arrived in Princeton in 1949 and, along with her public school duties, quickly acquired a roster of private piano students. She was soon invited to join the Princeton Music Study Group who would meet at private homes of the members and perform music for each other. She recalled Professor Albert Einstein,
also a member, performing a piece for violin and piano at one of these mini “concerts.”
She soon met and married
Bob Nelson, a local Princeton boy who had just started his glass shop on Nassau Street, and they spent the next years starting their family of four girls, caring for her mother Rose (who lived with them for another 35 years), and renovating rental properties in the borough.
Her sister Lucille Carnevale and she founded The Fabric Shop on Chambers Street and when her daughter Nancy started attending the newly formed Stuart Country Day School which, at the time, needed help with extra-curricular offerings, she volunteered to teach a sewing class there.
Along the way, Eleanor became active in the Lioness Club and the Soroptomist Club, organizations who raised money for scholarships and supported local charities. She was a founding member, with her husband, of Alphorn Ski Association and traveled to Europe for over 25 trips to the Alps.
She started playing piano at various events at her beloved church, St. Paul’s, and eventually, as her daughters headed off to college, became a volunteer with St. Vincent DePaul and the Senior Care Ministry, now renamed Senior Care Services.
As her love of playing the piano reemerged, she found herself also sharing her gift with residents of Princeton’s elderly care centers. Songs from World War I were particularly appreciated and she slowly came up with the notes and melodies that she remembered from her youth, listening to the songs her uncles used to sing.
Besides volunteering, she loved gardening, baking and her Church along with her adoring family, which has grown to include 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Eleanor’s positive attitude and enthusiasm for giving became quite infectious to all who grew to know her. When she felt sad about no longer being able to donate her time to help others and wondered about the reason for her purpose on this earth after 97 years, she was reminded of what an inspiration she was to so many.
Predeceased by her parents, Robert and Rose McCracken, her sister and brother-in-law Lucille and Tony Carnevale, and her husband of 58 years Robert A Nelson, she is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Marguerite (Jay) Sarson, Nancy (George) Barna, Roberta (Roy Fennimore) Nelson, and Kristin (AR) Willey. Grandchildren Jane, John, Kelly, Johanna, Samantha, Corban, Christine, Drew, Tyler, Rob and Katie, along with (19) cherished great-grandchildren, nephew and niece Gary Carnevale and April Domby, Ron Milazzo, Cindy Hill Santiago, and many cherished friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider donation to Senior Care Services of Greater Princeton or to St. Vincent DePaul Society.
A visitation is on Wednesday, June 4 at 9 a.m. before a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will take place at the Princeton Cemetery following the funeral mass.
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We deliver to ALL of Princeton as well as surrounding areas. (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifieds@towntopics.com
ESTATE LIQUIDATION SERVICE:
I will clean out attics, basements, garages & houses. Single items to entire estates. No job too big or small. In business over 35 years, serving all of Mercer County. Call (609) 306-0613. tf
WE BUY CARS
Belle Mead Garage (908) 359-8131 Ask for Chris tf
FOR SALE: PELLA FRENCH DOOR, 48”x82 1/2”. Aluminum-clad. 5/8” insulated glass. Brand new, never installed. $2100. Call (908) 200-1829. 06-11
HOUSECLEANING: Experienced, English-speaking, great with references, reliable with own transportation. Saturday and Sunday only. Call (609) 933-1437. 06-04
YARD SALE + TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIED = GREAT WEEKEND!
Put an ad in the TOWN TOPICS to let everyone know! Call (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifieds@towntopics.com
DEADLINE: Tues before 12 noon tf
HOUSECLEANING: Experienced, English-speaking, great references, reliable with own transportation. Weekly & bi-weekly cleaning. Green cleaning available. Call Susan at (732) 873-3168. 07-30
HOME HEALTH AIDE: 25 years of experience. Available mornings to take care of your loved one, transport to appointments, run errands. I am well known in Princeton. Top care, excellent references. The best! Call (609) 356-2951 or (609) 751-1396.
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LOLIO’S WINDOW WASHING &
POWER WASHING: Free estimate. Next day service. Fully insured. Gutter cleaning available. References available upon request. 30 years experience. (609) 271-8860.
JOE’S LANDSCAPING INC. OF PRINCETON
Property Maintenance and Specialty Jobs
Commercial/Residential
Over 45 Years of Experience
• Fully Insured • Free Consultations
Email: joeslandscapingprinceton@ gmail.com
Text (only): (609) 356-9201 Office: (609) 216-7936
Princeton References
• Green Company HIC #13VH07549500
HOME REPAIR SPECIALIST:
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Interior/exterior repairs, carpentry, trim, rotted wood, power washing, painting, deck work, sheet rock/ spackle, gutter & roofing repairs. Punch list is my specialty. 40 years experience. Licensed & insured. Call Creative Woodcraft (609) 586-2130
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24/7 PROFESSIONAL
NURSES AND AIDES
Personal care, nutrition, social activities, support, respite care & family relief. Live-in and live-out in the greater Princeton and other NJ areas.
Personal Home Care of Hillsborough (609) 216-5000 or (908) 306-0985
TK PAINTING: Interior, exterior.
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Power-washing, wallpaper removal, plaster repair, deck staining. Renovation of kitchen cabinets. Front door & window refinishing. Excellent references. Free estimates. Call (609) 947-3917. 07-30
Knotty pine bookcases a specialty!
SKILLMAN FURNITURE CO.
609-924-1881
Elevated gardens • Slat tables
Writing desks • Small furniture repair
skillmanfurniture.com
skillmanfurnitureco@gmail.com
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SERVICE: I will clean out attics, basements, garages & houses. Single items to entire estates. No job too big or small. In business over 35 years, serving all of Mercer County. Call (609) 306-0613. tf WE BUY CARS Belle Mead Garage (908) 359-8131 Ask for Chris tf FOR SALE: PELLA FRENCH
HOUSECLEANING: Experienced, English-speaking, great with references, reliable with own transportation. Saturday and Sunday only. Call (609) 933-1437.
06-04
WHAT’S A GREAT GIFT FOR A FORMER PRINCETONIAN?
A Gift Subscription! Call (609) 924-2200, ext 10 circulation@towntopics.com tf YARD SALE + TOWN TOPICS CLASSIFIED = GREAT WEEKEND! Put an ad in the TOWN TOPICS to let everyone know! Call (609) 924-2200 ext. 10; classifieds@towntopics.com DEADLINE: Tues before 12 noon tf
HOUSECLEANING: Experienced, English-speaking, great references, reliable with own transportation. Weekly & bi-weekly cleaning. Green cleaning available. Call Susan at (732) 873-3168.
07-30
Deferred Dreams, Rising Rents: How the Rental Market Is Shifting
As homeownership becomes increasingly elusive for many, the rental market is stepping in to catch the fallout. With high mortgage rates and limited inventory sidelining potential buyers, more people are turning to rentals as a long term housing solution. At the same time, a wave of homes with expiring leases is returning to the market creating a timely match between supply and a new kind of demand.
These aren’t typical renters. Many are financially prepared to buy but have paused their search due to rising costs or market volatility. In response, landlords are re listing single family homes and upgrading amenities to attract these stability seeking tenants. The result is a rental market that looks more like a buyer’s market in disguise: competitive, full of high quality inventory, and increasingly geared toward those with long term intentions.
The market is clearly evolving. Renting, once a temporary stopgap, is now becoming a redefined path to stability.
HOME HEALTH AIDE: 25 years of experience. Available mornings to take care of your loved one, transport to appointments, run errands. I am well known in Princeton. Top care, excellent references. The best! Call (609) 356-2951 or (609) 751-1396. tf LOLIO’S WINDOW WASHING & POWER WASHING: Free estimate. Next day service. Fully insured. Gutter cleaning available. References available upon request.
