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Volume LXXIX, Number 19

Princeton Pro Musica’s Upcoming Concert Reflects Turing’s Accomplishment, Heartbreak . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Younity to Host Annual Awards Dinner May 15. . . 12 Voices Chorale NJ Presents Diverse Classical Requiem Masses . . . . 19 Coming Off Tough Loss To Cornell in Ivy Final, PU Men’s Lax Hosting Towson In NCAA Opener. . . . . 27 With Senior Star Zang Saving Her Best for Last, PHS Girls’ Golf Wins CVC, Sectional Crowns . . . . . 30

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PHS Science Projects, Powered by Creativity, Achieve Worthy Goals

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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Local Arts Groups Feel the Sting of NEA Cuts A few weeks ago, McCarter Theatre The news was distressing to leaders Center was awaiting delivery on the of the cultural organizations, as much for $35,000 it was to be awarded by the the loss of financial support as for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) message it sends. in support of the play Legacy of Light. “We are disheartened by this shift and Nearby, Princeton University Concerts fear for the many artists, organizations, was looking forward to the $20,000 promised by the federal agency to support its and audiences across the country who depend heavily on federal support to keep Music & Healing series. their programs alive,” Princeton University In Frenchtown, the Roxey Ballet was anticipating the $10,000 the NEA had Concerts Director Marna Seltzer said in allocated for its “Viva Cultura” Cinco de an emailed statement. “We believe the arts are anything but ornamental; they are Mayo festival. This past Friday, these organizations learned that the funding would not be forthcoming. They are among the numerous cultural groups across the nation It was an afternoon of memories, nospromised support that has now been retalgia, storytelling, and celebration, of scinded. As a result, a group of senior oflaughs and a few tears, and an abunficials from the NEA announced Monday dance of wisdom and joy, as the Princeton that they have resigned. African American community celebrated “The NEA is updating its grantmaking BELLE MEADits NJ 08502elders on Sunday, May neighborhood policy priorities to focus funding on proj4 at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP). ects that reflect the nation’s rich artistic A crowd of about 150 overflowed the heritage and creativity, as prioritized by the ACP’s Solley Theater to pay tribute to 14 President,” reads the emailed form letter individuals 90 years old or more, “incredsent to the arts organizations. “Funding is being allocated in a new direction in fur- ible contributors to our community whose therance of the Administration’s agenda. shoulders we all stand on,” as noted by Your project, as noted below, unfortunately Pastor Gregory Smith, who emceed the event. does not align with these priorities.”

an essential part of a thriving, equitable, and beautiful society. They help us heal, connect, empathize, and imagine a more humane future. As funds are cut and/or redirected to reflect political agendas, we risk silencing the voices, stories, and unique creative expressions that help us make sense of the world and one another.” McCarter Theatre has been grappling with cuts in state as well as federal funding this year.

Sustainability, innovation, and teamwork are the central themes of two recent projects at Princeton High School (PHS) — one creating a native wet meadow in a large basin on campus and the other repurposing unused COVID-19 Plexiglass for hands-on learning about DNA replication. “We are in the early stages of designing and implementing a native planting Continued on Page 7 effort as well as improving the site’s functionality for education purposes,” said PHS Science Educator James Smirk in describing PHS’ wet meadow. “In the future the site will be a focal point for our Shirley Satterfield, president of the continued efforts to link our local environWitherspoon-Jackson Historical and ment and our community in the process Cultural Society, which sponsored the of improving sustainability.” event, along with the ACP, introduced the proceedings. The environmental science classes are working with Friends of Herrontown “Welcome to the 90s — I know you Woods (FOHW) to create a native “wet can’t wait to get to your 90s,” said Satprairie” near the parking lot adjacent to terfield, who was described by Smith as the Performing Arts Center. “an amazing caretaker of history for the neighborhood.” The space will be used to conduct environmental science research, act as Satterfield continued, “These are a water management space for the high folks in their 90s who look like they’re in school, and provide a habitat for active their 80s and 50s — wonderful people. Continued on Page 10 plants, insects, and birds. BD 5 | BA 5.5 | Price Upon Request Saturday, April 27th | 8am 9am Two weeks ago Smirk’s environmental This impressive 5000 square foot expanded colonial (2010) emanates all the comforts and conveniences of science students and two FOHW voluntoday’s upscale suburban lifestyle. A perfect floor plan for modern living and the multigenerational household. teers had their first work session of 2025. This exceptional home boasts numerous updates, a first floor bedroom with full bath, home office, finished They weeded out dandelions, installed a basement with an egress window, and a beautiful rear yard with an inviting in-ground pool. tool shed whose roof will feed rain barDONNA M. MURRAY rels, cleaned up trash, andCRS, mapped theASP, SRS, CLHMS e-PRO, Sales Associate, REALTOR® vegetation in the wet meadow. 253 Nassau Street | Princeton, NJ 08540 “We try to be proactive, pulling out agCell: 908.391.8396 | Off.: 609.924.1600 A member of the franchise donna.murray@foxroach.com gressive nonnative plants before they can VIRTUAL TOUR QR CODE system of BHH Affiliates, LLC donnamurrayrealestate.com get established,” wrote FOHW President Steve Hiltner in an email. In a session Donna Murray seed HP.inddof1additional 6/16/23 10:40 AM last week they added For all your real estate needs in 2024. native species to increase diversity in order to feed pollinators in the summer. Several years ago the wet meadow was deepened as part of an effort to reduce flooding along the Walnut Street side of the school. It was first planted with turf grass, but two years ago the school had a contractor plant it with native species. “These complex native plantings can be glorious, but they require ongoing BELLE MEAD NJ 08502 BELLE MEAD NJ 08502 care to keep invasive species from taking over,” said Hiltner, “so we worked DAY OF ACTION: About 250 demonstrators braved the drizzling rain on Sunday, May 4 to gather in Hinds Plaza to out an arrangement where the Friends of Herrontown Woods was hired to work voice their opposition to policies and actions of the Trump administration. The May Day National Day of Action rally, in conjunction with hundreds of rallies across the country from May 1 to 4, including a May 1 Princeton with teachers and students to take care rally organized by Resistencia en Accion New Jersey, was hosted by the Coalition for Peace Action, Indivisible of the plantings.”

Nonagenarians, Friends, and Families Gather to Celebrate, Share, Reminisce

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Carrie Coon Joins Browning, Brahms, Gary Cooper, and Gabby Hayes in This Week’s All-Star Review . . . . . 18 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Books . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . 37 Mailbox. . . . . . . . . 14, 15 Mercer County Top Producers . . . . 20, 21 Mother's Day . . . . . . . 2, 3 New To Us . . . . . . . . . . 26 Obituaries . . . . . . . 35, 36 Performing Arts. . . . . 22, 23 Police Blotter . . . . . . . . . . 8 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . 37 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Topics of the Town . . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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Cranbury, Indivisible Princeton, and the Princeton Community Democratic Organization.

Continued on Page 9

(Photo by Donald Gilpin)

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