Volume LXXVIII, Number 5
Entrepreneur’s Foundation Memorializes Creativity of Wife, Daughter . . . . . . 5 Orchestra of Ukraine Concert at McCarter Feb . 11 . . . . . . . . . . 9 HomeFront Week of Hope Offers Array of Opportunities to Learn, Volunteer . . . . . . . . . 11 Reading Fenimore Cooper Over Schubert’s Shoulder . . . . . . . . 14 Freshman Guard Chea Stars Off the Bench as PU Women’s Hoops Tops Cornell . . . . . . . 21 Afrifah Making Big Impact for PHS Wrestling, Winning Heavyweight Title at MCT as Tigers Take 3rd . . . . . . . . . . 25
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Fire Department Honors Its Local Heroes in Council Meeting Ceremony
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Wednesday, January 31, 2024
University to Contribute $50M+ to Municipality Princeton University will be contributing more than $50 million over the next five years to the town of Princeton, community organizations, and lower- and middle-income residents, according to a University announcement made on Tuesday, January 30. The funds will be supporting mutual town-University interests including sustainability and resiliency, socio-economic diversity and equity, safety and emergency services, college access, mass transit, and municipal infrastructure. “These financial contributions to the municipality, local nonprofit organizations, and residents reflect the University’s long-standing commitment to support the vibrancy of the Princeton community that we call home,” said Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber, as quoted in a University press release. “We are pleased to advance these shared priorities in collaboration with local government and nonprofit organizations to provide meaningful services and resources across our community.” Princeton Council President Mia Sacks, who was a member of the team representing the municipality in discussions with University representatives, commended the University’s contributions to the town and echoed Eisgruber’s emphasis on shared priorities and meaningful collaboration.
“We came to the table as partners with an interest in finding collaborative solutions to issues of mutual concern in the town that we share,” she said. “Today’s announcement reflects a welcome increase in recent years of cooperation between the municipality and the University at all levels. These open lines of communication will continue — and the foundation laid during this process will help us to maximize the impact of our work together.”
What the University describes as a “new framework” for contributions to the municipality includes $39.5 million — $28.2 million in unrestricted cash and $11.3 million for specific municipal projects and programs. The University plan also includes $10 million over five years to a nonprofit organization providing property tax relief for lower- and middle-income Princeton homeowners, with eligible households to be based on income limits set by the
More than 40 members of the Princeton Fire Department (PFD) received awards for a total of thousands of years of service to the community In a ceremony at last week’s Princeton Council meeting. “Celebrating their unwavering commitment and outstanding contributions to community safety,” according to a PFD press release, the ceremony marked a return to tradition after a hiatus and postContinued on Page 10 ponement of award presentations since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “To the valiant members of our fire department, your courage and selflessIt has been nearly a century since the a birthday party for Frederick Douglass, ness have been the bedrock of our comfirst observance of Black History Month in plays, film screenings, even a special munity’s security,” said Assistant Chief America. Each of those years, the month- African and Afro-Caribbean board game Hank S. Pannell in introducing the event. long celebration in February has had a night are among the tributes taking place “Whether battling flames, rescuing lives, theme. this month. or providing crucial support, you have This year’s focus is on the contributions Events most closely related to the exemplified the true spirit of service. Toof Black painters, dancers, musicians, theme include “RESPECT: A Tribute to night we express our deepest gratitude and other cultural figures. A four-minute Aretha Franklin,” at State Theatre New for your sacrifices, for every sleepless video on the website of the National Mu- Jersey in New Brunswick on Sunday, night, and for every moment you’ve spent seum of African American History and February 18 at 3 p.m. featuring the New ensuring the safety of our community.” Culture (nmaahc.si.edu) serves as a fitting Jersey Symphony Orchestra and CaHe also thanked the families of mem(under introduction to the breadth and4.5’) scope of pathia Jenkins (visit stnj.org for tickets); bers, referring to them as “the silent hethese artists, who are being celebrated at and A Lovesong for Miss Lydia, a play by roes, enabling our firefighter to serve with the museum in Washington, D.C. the late Don Evans, at Kelsey Theatre on dedication.” He added, ”Behind every the campus of Mercer County Community Closer to home, the list of events firefighter is a network of loved ones who College in West Windsor, February 9-11. marking “African Americans in the Arts” share in the sacrifices and challenges. Call (609) 570-3333 for tickets. includes a wide range of subjects — Your encouragement, understanding, Continued on Page 8 artistic and otherwise. Lectures, concerts, and resilience do not go unnoticed.” Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, who was honored for 45 years of service to the PFD, pointed out that the tradition of these awards goes back to the PFD’s Annual Inspection, which was held every year in June with a parade down Nassau Street followed by a ceremony in front of Monument Hall. “All the fire trucks would line up,” said past chief and current Princeton Engine Company No. 1 President William D. Shields, who emceed the awards ceremony. “The mayor and Council would inspect the operation, and there would be a celebration at night.” Over the years the parade gave way to a dinner ceremony, then the arrival of the pandemic brought a halt to public gatherings. This year’s ceremony made up for several years of past awards that were Parkyears. Blvd. 1378 Route 206 not415 given outNassau during the pandemic “ThePrinceton, model of presenting these awards at NJ 08540 Skillman, NJ 08558 a meeting of mayor and Council may be SUNDAY AT THE LIBRARY: Princeton (behind Public LibraryWells was especially on Sunday afternoon as patrons took Sam’s Club) FargobusyBank) what we(near do going forward,” Freda wrote Can Eat Sushi All You Can Eat Sushi refuge from the heavy rain thatAll fell You in the area. People share what they like to do on rainy days in this week’s in an email.
Eclectic Roster of Local Events To Mark Black History Month
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Lunch $23.95 • Dinner $28.95• Kids Dinner $15.95
Kyleigh Tangen Helps PHS Girls’ Swim Team Win County Meet . . . . 24 Art . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 19 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 20 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 29 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Performing Arts . . . . . 15 Real Estate. . . . . . . . . 32 Senior Living . . . . .16, 17 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
Tel: (609) 520-8883
Talk on page 6. masa8restaurant.com Lunch $23.95 • Dinner $28.95• KidsTown Dinner $15.95 Continued on Page 10
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Lunch $23.95 • Dinner $28.95• Kids Dinner $15.95 (under 4.5’)
Tel: (609) 520-8883
Tel: (609) 683-2222
Tel: (609) 520-8883
Tel: (609) 683-2222
415 Nassau Park Blvd. Princeton, NJ 08540 (near Sam’s Club)
1378 Route 206 Skillman, NJ 08558 (behind Wells Fargo Bank)
415 Nassau Park Blvd. Princeton, NJ 08540 (near Sam’s Club)
1378 Route 206 Skillman, NJ 08558 (behind Wells Fargo Bank)
masa8restaurant.com
All You Can Eat Sushi
Lunch $23.95 • Dinner $28.95• Kidsmasa8restaurant.com Dinner $15.95 morisushinj.com (under 4.5’)
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(Photo by Weronika A. Plohn)