TT digital issue 4-16-25 by Witherspoon Media Group

Trump Administration Cuts

Off

Funding For PU Climate Research

Hinds Plaza, Palmer Square Join Settings for This Year’s Porchfest 5

PHS Students Take Behind-the-Scenes Role for Regional Theater 8

New CEO Leads Meals on Wheels

Mercer County 14

Benefiting From Her PU Hoops Experience, Chen

Helped UConn Women Win NCAA Title 28

Developing Into a Mound Ace for Hun

Baseball, Junior DeLue Stars in 4-1 Win Over Lawrenceville 32

Claiming that three programs are “no longer in keeping with the Trump administration’s priorities,” the Department of Commerce (DOC) last week announced that it is terminating nearly $4 million in funding for climate research at Princeton University.

The DOC stated that one of the programs to be defunded, conducted by Princeton’s Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System (CIMES), “promotes exaggerated and implausible climate threats” and contributes “to a phenomenon known as ‘climate anxiety,’ which has increased significantly among America’s youth.”

The announcement’s criticism of the program continued, “Its focus on alarming climate scenarios fosters fear rather than rational, balanced discussion. Additionally, the use of federal funds to support these narratives, including educational initiatives aimed at K-12 students, is misaligned with the administration’s priorities.”

Princeton University Geosciences Professor Stephan Andreas Fueglistaler, who is leading two of the climate research projects impacted by the funding cuts, and the University’s Media Relations department, had no comment on the announcement.

CIMES, a collaboration between Princeton University and the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), includes on its faculty the noted physicist, meteorologist, and climatologist Syukuro Manabe, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in climate science and the prediction of global warming.

NOAA is facing cuts to operations and research totaling about $1.3 billion.

The DOC announcement further stated that the termination of the “cooperative agreement” programs with Princeton University would “streamline and reduce the cost and size of the federal government, consistent with President Trump’s promises for his administration.”

Two other Princeton programs, fiveyear research projects, that will lose government funding are a study of fluctuations in the Earth’s water availability as a result of global warming and a project to assess risks associated with climate change, including changes in patterns of

Continued on Page 12

Council Approves Budget With 3 Percent Increase

At its meeting on Monday night, April 14, Princeton Council voted to pass a budget that is 3.04 percent higher than that of last year. The total figure will rise from $75,674,457.12 to $77,982,417.10.

This means that a home of average value in Princeton will see its taxes increase by about $133, said Sandra Webb, the town’s chief finance officer, during the public hearing. This year’s budget was driven by the usual things, she said: garbage and trash collection, insurance, debt service, participation in the Stony Brook Regional Sewage Authority, and the public library.

Councilman Brian McDonald commented that though he considers Princeton Public Library to be “one of our crown jewels,” he was concerned that their increase of 5 percent, from $4,738,184 to $4,975,094, was high. Mayor Mark Freda, who sits on the library board, said he had advised the board that next year’s budget is not likely to provide that much of an increase.

“A few meetings ago I mentioned when they were reviewing their budget that we, the town, cannot continue to shoulder that kind of burden year after year, and that they should assume that next year will be a different story with Westminster [the choir college property that the town has purchased] coming on. Our finance committee should talk to them to help prepare for that.”

Council voted in favor of an ordinance amending fees for zoning permits.

that the change was a good one. “It makes fees a little more scalable related to the amount of work required to process the permit,” he said.

A second ordinance lowering speed limits on Mt. Lucas Road, Route 206, and Cherry Hill Road was also approved. McDonald and Councilman Leighton Newlin commented that they hoped additional reductions in speed limits will be made on other roadways in and around town.

Local Arts and Cultural Organizations Affected by Cuts From Federal Agencies

On April 2, Morven Museum & Garden got welcome news from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): The museum was being awarded a grant of $25,000 to help support an interpretive plan addressing Morven’s history of slavery when it was owned by two generations of the Stockton family.

But a few days later, another communication arrived from the federal agency. The grant was being rescinded, it said, because it “no longer effectuates the agency’s needs and priorities and conditions of the Grant Agreement and is subject to termination due to several

CELEBRATING RECORD STORE DAY: Music lovers lined up outside Princeton Record Exchange at the 15th annual National Record Store Day celebration on Saturday for a chance

(Photo by Sarah Teo)

Councilman David Cohen commented

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Holding Together in Hard Times

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Olson & BBC Broadcaster Sally Magnusson in conversation on how the women in their stories held together in hard times. The Sisterhood of Ravensbrück will be released on June 3. For more information go to lynneolson.com. You can order Music in the Dark now on Amazon and from other booksellers.

The Salon on Stockton is hosted by the Center of Theological Inquiry, a Princeton nonprofit for research and dialogue on global concerns. Tickets $25. Seating limited. All proceeds to WorkWell Partnership.

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BUNNIES, BUBBLES, AND MORE: The annual Bunny Trail Spring Festival at Terhune Orchards on Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, is all about spring.

Family Event on the Farm At Terhune Orchards April 19 and 20 is Bunny Trail Spring Festival Weekend at Terhune Orchards, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

This weekend is a noncompetitive event perfect for children 2-10 years old especially, but enjoyable for

all ages. Follow hand-drawn clues around the farm in a self-guided treasure hunt. At the end of the hunt, children can choose to do bunnythemed craft activities and meet Terhune’s own real bunny rabbits (additional charge for activities and barn area).

The sights and sounds of

the farm waking up for spring, with greenery emerging all around, farm animals in the barnyard and chirping birds are the focus. Youngsters can jump into the Hippity Hop Corral and race the ducks in the Duckie Race. Children’s games, special playhouses, and a play area in the barnyard are part of the event, along with pony rides or spins on a pedal tractor.

NJ Bubble Parties will put on an interactive show (two each day) full of bubbles of all kinds. On Saturday, On the Fly will be playing live music, and on Sunday, Three to Get Ready with Bill Flemer is the musical entertainment.

Food offerings include homemade cider donuts, pies, cookies, cider, soup, chili, ice cream, and hot dogs. The Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery will be open in the Wine Orchard. Tasting flights are available to sample wines made from grapes grown right on the farm. The farm store will have produce, apples, herbs, flowering plants, and baked goods.

Tickets, which are required, include bubble shows, kids’ games and activities, music, barnyard, nature trail, and the pedal tractor area. Children under 3 are free. Visit terhuneorchards.ticketspice.com/ bunny-trail.

Topics In Brief A Community Bulletin

Leighton Listens: Councilman Leighton Newlin holds one-on-one conversations about issues impacting Princeton from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on April 16 at DeAngelo’s Market, 35 Spring Street; April 23 at the Palmer Square benches across from Rojo’s Roasters; and April 30 at Tipple and Rose, 210 Nassau Street.

Mercer County Bike Drive : Donate used bikes to be repaired and resold as a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club after school programs, which serve over 700 children daily. Drop off bikes at the Ranger Headquarters in Mercer County Park, West Windsor; or the Historic Hunt House, 197 Blackwell Road, Pennington.

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.

Scholarship Opportunity : The Dr. Esther Wollin Memorial Scholarship Fund is available to Jewish female, full-time students who will be or are already attending Rutgers University and raised by their Jewish mother in a single-parent household in the Princeton Mercer Bucks Community. Eligibility is based on financial need. Submission deadline is June 2. Visit jfcsonline.org or call Joyce at (609) 987-8100.

Election Board Workers Needed : The Mercer County Board of Elections is recruiting new workers, who must be registered Mercer County voters or students 1617 years old. Bilingual residents are especially needed. The pay is $300. Apply at mercercounty.org.

Summer Registration for Community Pool and More : To sign up for pool membership, camp offerings, and summer programs, visit register.communitypass. net/Princeton.

Local Poets Sought : For Mercer County Library System’s 4th Annual “A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read,” a live virtual event. Submit poems by April 21 to hopeprogs@mcl.org. The live and virtual reading is on April 28 at 7 p.m.

FOURTH ANNUAL PORCHFEST: This year’s version of what has become an annual tradition in Princeton brings more bands, on more porches and public spaces, to town for a day of free music and community activities. Pictured is a view from last year’s event.

Hinds Plaza and Palmer Square Join Settings for This Year’s Porchfest

When the Arts Council of Princeton issued a call for musical acts interested in performing at this year’s Porchfest, applications poured in from 130 bands.

After some culling, 80 were selected to appear in the fourth annual event, taking place on front porches and

public spaces throughout Princeton on Saturday, April 26 from 12 to 6 p.m.

“We’ve got 15 porches, which is a little bit up from last year,” said Adam Welch, executive director of the Arts Council. “And we’re activating both Hinds Plaza and Palmer Square, which is where the closing gig will be. I’ve got to tell you, the quality of these musicians is incredible.”

TOPICS

Of the Town

favorite in its 25th year of performing with the Arts Council, are the closing act.

Also planned are lawn games, bubbles, wine, beer, and snacks from Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar.

The Graduate by Hilton Princeton hotel will celebrate Porchfest with live music in the lobby from about 7-11 p.m.

“I love Porchfest. It’s such a fun day,” said Michael Monarca, general manager of the hotel. “It’s a real community event, really for the people who live here.”

Welch is particularly pleased to have the municipality as a main sponsor of this year’s event, along with

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Bands are being hosted at porches on Witherspoon Street, Moore Street, Chestnut Street, Nassau Street, Birch Avenue, Jefferson Road, Markham Road, Murray Place, Queenston Place, Linden Lane, and at Maclean House on the Princeton University campus. Each location will host five live performances from 12 to 5 p.m.

Porchfest is held rain or shine. In past years, nasty weather has not been much of a deterrent.

“The second year it was rainy and cold, and we still had huge crowds,” said Welch. “Especially at the final event, which was then held at the Arts Council. The police closed the road and there were crowds everywhere. It was absolutely amazing to see.”

But the crowds at the daylong music festival do not approach the 30,000 people who used to descend on Princeton’s central business district for Communiversity, an annual street fair that ran for five decades. Porchfest, which replaced it in 2022, is smaller and focused mostly on music. Visual art is the theme of the annual Art Bazaar, scheduled for the following Saturday, May 3.

New this year and in partnership with Princeton Public Library and the Princeton University Art Museum, Hinds Plaza will host a Porchfest edition of Story & Verse, the Arts Council’s monthly open mic event, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

At 3:30, poet and artist Roberto Lugo will take the mic. Three sets are scheduled for the Palmer Square stage, starting at 3:30 p.m. and ending with the afterparty from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The Shakes, a fan

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Porchfest

Graduate Hotels, Glenmede, and several others. “The town is the biggest news,” he said. “They have been really helpful, and I think the Council and the mayor, all of whom have attended, see the value in it.”

A tent will be set up outside the Arts Council (102 Witherspoon Street) with maps. Limited edition Tshirts will be available. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org for more information.

“Porchfest is walkable, and it’s bike-able, and we encourage that,” said Welch. “Bring chairs and blankets. You can’t hit all the porches — choose three or four. This is a community event, and we want people to enjoy it. I think we’ve really landed on something good.”

–Anne Levin

Fish Fry Fundraiser For Mount Pisgah Church

A Good Friday Fish Fry is being held Friday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) to raise funds for improvements to the church, which is located at 170 Witherspoon Street.

The event supports renovations and repair to the sanctuary. On the menu are fried fish, green beans, potato salad, and white or wheat bread. A plant-based/vegan meal is also offered, with fried oyster mushrooms, baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread. All dinners are $20 and come with water or soda and a dessert.

Dining is available on site or for takeout. Place orders on April 18 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for pickup by 11 a.m. by calling (609) 924-9017.

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

Question of the Week:

“What are you hoping to find today?” (Asked Saturday at the 15th annual National Record Store Day celebration at Princeton Record Exchange) (Photos by Sarah Teo)

Kayak/Canoe Race Set for D&R Canal

An 8.6-mile kayak and canoe race on the D&R Canal will be held on Saturday, May 3 beginning at 10 a.m. at Turning Basin Park.

The out-and-back race, with a turnaround point near Route 1 in Lawrence, is open to all and will benefit the D&R Canal Watch, a nonprofit group that works to support and enhance the D&R Canal State Park.

Trophies in several categories will be offered. Online race registration is required by May 1. For further information and to register, visit paddleguru.com and search for D&R Canal.

Turning Basin Park is located on Alexander Road between the Stony Brook and D&R Canal bridges.

April 23, 2025 5:00 to 6:15 p.m., McCosh 50

“Taylor Swift — whatever she’s coming out with. I honestly try to avoid looking [at titles] in advance, just so I can be surprised.”

—Hannah Ferguson Pearl, Bordentown

“A very specific album, and I know there are only five: MJ Lenderman’s Live and Loose! I’m a huge fan, just trying to get a copy of it. If I don’t get it today, it might be six months, or it may never come out again, we don’t know.”

—Theo Smyk, Skillman

“It’s my first time here; I’m from France visiting town, just today. I’m here especially for Ain’t It Tragic by Dead Sara — I hope there will be some left!”

—Clara Brouillard, Aix en Provence, France

“Multiple things, but the No. 1 thing is from Gunna; the album’s called Wunna. I called and they have five of them here, so hopefully I’ll get it. I’m also looking for Young Thug — Barter 6.”

—Ollie Desravines, Hightstown

LOUIS CLARK VANUXEM LECTURE

Science Fiction Writer

Kim Stanley Robinson

ARCHITECTS: Teams of

“Building Princeton” At Updike Farmstead

The Historical Society of Princeton’s annual “Building Princeton” event will be held on Sunday, April 28 in the Wojciechowicz Barn at Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road.

With more than 100,000 LEGO building blocks

and

available, teams learn basic architectural principles to recreate iconic structures, including Nassau Hall, Einstein’s house, and Princeton Public Library. Teams pick their favorite to construct and work together to create a scale model. At the end of the session, the buildings are placed on a large-scale

609-977-5872

map, creating a unique view of the community.

Led by architect Stephen W. Schwartz from Building Blocks Workshops, the event is designed for all ages. Teams can be formed with family, friends, scout groups, etc., and are often multi-generational. (Teams with children under age 16 need to include one adult.)

At the conclusion of the program, each team receives a copy of “The Princeton Architectural Treasure Hunt Map” and are encouraged to explore Princeton and find the real buildings.

Tickets are $30 for a team of two, $37.50 for three, or $45 for four people. Pre-registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Tickets are available at princetonhistory.org.

SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL: The Friends of Washington Crossing Park recently celebrated the $20,000 grant received from America250PA for enhancements related to the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Funds Awarded to Park For Annual Reenactment

Friends of Washington Crossing Park (FWCP) has been awarded a $20,000 grant from America250PA’s first Semiquincentennial Grant Round for Washington Crossing Historic Park’s 2025 Reenactment of Washington Crossing the Delaware.

This funding enables Washington Crossing Historic Park to enhance the 2025 Delaware River crossing reenactment. As FWCP prepares for increased visitation leading up to the 250th anniversary of American independence, these funds will support expanded living history programming. The grant will provide resources

for reenactor compensation and training, historical interpreters, upgraded sound systems, improved visitor amenities, period-accurate clothing and equipment, and enhanced event marketing.

“We are thrilled to contribute to Pennsylvania’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of our country by enhancing our signature event in both 2025 and 2026,” said Jennifer Martin, executive director of FWCP.

“This enhancement will help us engage more of our community in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. With this grant, we’ll elevate the visitor experience and bring a more immersive, historically accurate story to life. By enhancing our programming,

we can ensure the significance of Washington’s crossing continues to resonate with future generations.”

“America250PA hopes to engage Pennsylvanians, from all of our 67 counties, to participate in creating a statewide celebration and bringing the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation. We strive to connect neighbors through the stories of our past, fostering pride in our shared journey and hope for our future,” said Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA.

IS ON

helps

BUDDING

families

friends will gather on April 28 for the annual LEGO project in the Wojciechowicz Barn at Updike Farmstead on Quaker Road.

Princeton High School Students Take a Behind-the-Scenes Role for Regional Theater

Students from the Robotics Club at Princeton High School are getting rave reviews for their role behind the scenes for a regional theater company: rehabilitating a robot prop that is integral to the plot of an upcoming play.

The Langhorne Players, based in Newtown, Pa., opens its 78th season on Friday, April 25 with Zoe Kazan’s play After the Blast , about people living underground after a nuclear disaster. The robot enters the story to train the female lead character for a new profession, however, she makes a strong connection to the fuzzy companion, which brings out her inclination to nurture in a society where fertility is regulated.

Director Ryan Lafferty dove into the play, and was intrigued by the character Arthur the robot, fondly named “Artie” after Star Wars’ R2D2, which he resembles. Lafferty thought about having a robot designed and built. Seeking advice, he looked at credits for the original production and found the designer of the original robot, Noah Mease, who told him that the robot was languishing in the prop shop storage room at Lincoln Center in New York, where the play premiered in 2017 with the lead couple played by Cristin Milioti and William Jackson Harper. The Langhorne Players’ couple is portrayed by Caity Brown and Jamil Long.

After confirming that the

robot was available, and securing permission to use it from the play licensing organization and the Lincoln Center properties department, Lafferty and the play’s producer drove up and navigated the back hallways of Lincoln Center toward the props area. They came away with several remote controls, and they buckled Artie in their back seat.

But they were also told that the robot did not work.

Langhorne Players board member Jack Bathke, an English teacher at Princeton High School, thought that the students from the high school Robotics Club could be helpful.

“When we were slated to do Zoe Kazan’s After the Blast this season, I knew the challenge was going to be the robot,” said Bathke.

“I spoke with our properties master about her ideas for the robot, but then I realized that this challenge presented a possibility for what I have been wanting to do with our theater company. I’ve wanted to create an educational outreach facet to our marketing department, and what better way to start than with reaching out to high school students?”

When he learned that the robot was not working, “it was at this moment that I thought, ‘What a great opportunity to get the kids involved,’” said Bathke. “So, the director and producer of After the Blast dropped Arthur — Artie for short — at Princeton High School, and the kids went to work.”

BEHIND THE SCENES: Students from Princeton High School, from left, juniors Branden Zhou and Allan Chen, and senior Nicolas Grahamdetto, transform

prop robot

time for the Langhorne Players’ production of “After the Blast” by Zoe

The

opens April 25 and runs until May 11. Information is at LanghornePlayers.org

Robotics Club supervisor

Oren Levi, a physics teacher at Princeton High School, said, “A lot of our students are proficient in computer programming. Originally they were going to build one from the ground up, but we didn’t know if they would complete it in time.”

The students even wrote a user manual for the cast to use. Lafferty called them “miracle workers. They brought it back to life.”

Lafferty said that the play was selected because it was a subject people would think about. Langhorne Players had wanted to perform it in 2019 but got waylaid by the pandemic, and when they started performing again the thought was not to do a “heavy” play.

“The writing is exceptional,” he said. “Pure poetry for every character.” The play depicts a society where,

coping with an artificial habitat, the underground population relies on implanted chips that simulate everything from adventure in nature to flavors of their daily meals.

“In a world decimated by nuclear fallout, we witness a most human story of hope and survival buried deep underground,” Lafferty wrote in a synopsis of the play, calling it “a heartfelt, yet telling mirror held to the face of today’s society. Each of us live in private little silos of our own making; isolated by choices and circumstances beyond our control.”

As for Artie, his presence adds “such exciting energy to the production and makes it feel like a sentimental homecoming,” he said.

The theater group gave the Princeton students some guidance: the robot had to move its head — moving the

arms were a bonus. The vocals will be done done by an actor in a soundproof booth, but the front of the robot has a ring of lights that make it appear it is talking, and that had to be cued.

The students made it all work. Said Levi. “They were problem-solving until the very end.”

After the Blast will be performed April 25 through May 11 at The Spring Garden Mill Theater in Tyler State Park, located at 1440 Newtown-Richboro Road (Route 332), Newtown, Pa. A special talk back night is Sunday, May 4. Tickets, at $25 each (with discounted student admission), are available at langhorneplayers.org

—Wendy Greenberg

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original

Artie in

Kazan.

play

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Local Arts continued from page one reasonable causes.” Citing some statutes, the email continued that the NEH “is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.”

The letter arrived in an email, at midnight.

“If that’s not cowardly, I don’t know what is,” said Rhoda DiMascio, Morven’s executive director. “They throw these statutes around to confuse people. It’s unclear. This is really a shame, because it’s the first time we’ve ever gotten a NEH grant. It’s small, but it’s important. The fact that we had received the endorsement to continue our work on the history of slavery at Morven was significant. Getting a NEH grant is a big deal that helps us leverage other funding.”

A similar letter went to Divya Cherian, a historian of early modern and colonial South Asia at Princeton University. The $60,000 NEH grant for a book she was writing about the history of witches and their persecution in South Asia was, effectively, off the table.

“It said that the grant no longer aligned with new priorities as determined by President Trump,” Cherian said. “More than losing the financing, it makes me feel like this is an intensification of a trend that humanities education and research is not valuable, and waste of resources. It makes me sad, and fearful for the future.”

The current administration’s slashing of budgets and departments is particularly troubling to cultural groups. While the rescinding of NEH funding has been announced, local organizations scheduled to receive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have yet to hear about the fate of those funds.

This is causing considerable anxiety at Princeton University Concerts (PUC), where $20,000 was to be awarded to support its Music & Healing series; and McCarter Theatre Center, which received $35,000 to support the production of the recently mounted play Legacy of Light.

“We are in the midst of an unprecedented moment — one in which the traditional sources of support for the arts, particularly at

universities, are under real and growing threat,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer in an email. “Like many organizations, we find ourselves navigating uncertainty. Although we were awarded a federal grant this year for our Music & Healing series, the funds have not yet been released, and we do not know when — or if— they will arrive. We have also applied for funding for next year, and remain hopeful that our commitment to artistic excellence and community impact will be recognized.”

Seltzer continued, “Amid these challenges, we hold fast to what we learned during the pandemic: that the arts are not a luxury or an afterthought, but an essential part of our collective well-being. In moments of upheaval, the arts remind us of our shared humanity. They create space for empathy, connection, and healing — things we need now more than ever.”

Martin Miller, executive director of McCarter, echoed Seltzer’s sentiments.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty about currently approved as well as future grants through federal sources, especially the NEA,” he said. “Our timeline and agreement paperwork have been repeatedly delayed, so it’s unclear. We are hopeful, but it’s cloudy.”

While the loss of federal funding is serious, it will not debilitate them, the leaders of these organizations say. Efforts are being made to secure more individual contributions.

“Our team is terrifically dedicated and talented, trained to put heads down

and get the work done,” said Miller. “But it absolutely does contribute to a sense of unease knowing the kind of work we are doing is not being prioritized. So we are certainly speaking with our community of supporters and hoping folks understand that their support is more important than ever.”

Seltzer said PUC is “committed to continuing our work with hope, determination, and the belief that what we do matters,” wrote Seltzer. “And we are grateful to our audience whose generosity, loyalty, and belief in our mission keep us going.”

At Morven, the NEH grant for the exhibition would have supported the work of research consultants Sharese Blakney and Shirley Satterfield. The goal remains to open the exhibit next fall.

“We’ve been on this road, updating the exhibition since 2018, so this is the next step and we’re not going to stop,” said DiMascio. “We’ve already started and have been successful in getting others to support it.”

DiMascio has also written to Sen. Andy Kim, Sen. Cory Booker, and Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman. She has shared the email she received from the NEH with the American Association of State and Local History Agencies.

“This grant was awarded and approved by Congress. I wasn’t shocked when we got the email, but I was mad,” she said. “We will continue to forge on and advocate.”

—Anne Levin

Get the scoop from

YWCA Princeton Announces

New Chief Financial Officer

YWCA Princeton has appointed Tricia Daley as chief financial officer. Daley brings over 25 years of experience in financial leadership across nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and she will play a critical role in strengthening the organization’s financial strategy, operations, and longterm sustainability.

“We are committed to building a strong foundation for the future of our organization and the communities we serve,” said YWCA Princeton CEO Rose Wong. “Tricia brings the experience, vision, and collaborative spirit that will help us grow sustainably and deepen our impact. We are excited to welcome her to our team.”

Daley combines technical knowledge with a collaborative leadership style to enhance organizational capacity and resilience. Throughout her career, she has overseen complex financial portfolios — including budgets exceeding $40 million — and has guided organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and expansion.

Her experience spans financial planning and analysis, audit and compliance oversight, systems implementation, and team development. In previous roles, Daley successfully implemented modern financial systems, streamlined processes such as month-end close, and introduced policies

that increased accountability and transparency.

Daley holds an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology.

“Tricia Daley’s appointment marks a significant step forward in YWCA Princeton’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women through strong, values-driven leadership and sound fiscal management,” reads a press release from the organization.

Mother’s Day Fundraiser

From “Maker’s Place”

To honor a special mother or help a local mom struggling to afford basic necessities, contributions can be made to The Maker’s Place, a Trenton nonprofit. The “In Honor of Mom” fundraiser supports a nonprofit diaper bank and neighborhood resource center in Trenton. The organization will acknowledge an honoree on its website and its our honor and memory wall, letting them know that a contribution has been made in their honor to support Mercer County moms. The Maker’s Place provides diapers, wipes, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, and mental health support programming to over 1,000 Trenton-area mothers and their families each year.

For more information, wisit makersplace.org/inhonorofmom or write to “The Maker’s Place” at P.O. Box 54, Trenton NJ 08601.

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SEPTEMBER 24-27, 2025 | PRINCETON, NJ

The Farminary is a 21-acre sustainable farm where theological education is integrated with small-scale regenerative agriculture to train faith leaders who are conversant in the areas of ecology, sustainability, and food justice. It is designed to help students and visitors to challenge society’s 24–7 culture of productivity by following a different rhythm, one that is governed by the seasons and Sabbath. In 2025 we are excited to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

TIYA MILES

MacArthur Genius, historian, author of Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People

MICHAEL TWITTY

Chef, author and creator of creator of Afroculinaria

BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR New York Times bestselling author of An Altar in the World

TINK TINKER Expert in American Indian cultures and religious traditions, and crosscultural theologies

WILLIE JAMES JENNINGS

Theologian, author of Reframing the World: A Christian Doctrine of Creation

HANNA REICHEL

Theologian, author of After Method: Queer Grace, Conceptual Design, and the Possibility of Theology

CHU Award-winning journalist, author of Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand

HEBER BROWN, III

Founder, Black Church Food Security Network

JEFF

Council Approves continued from page one

Representatives from the Princeton Salamander Crossing Brigade, which helps amphibians safely cross Herrontown Road during their annual migration to breed, delivered a presentation about the initiative. Among those speaking were two Princeton High School students who have been active in the effort and said salamanders are “a keystone species.”

Following their presentation, the students shared with Council some cards written by third grade students from Community Park School, thanking police and “crossing guards” for their efforts keeping salamanders safe.

Princeton Police Chief Christopher Tash reported that five new police officers were hired in February to fill vacancies. He also announced that, on June 12 at 6 p.m., there will be a presentation on traffic laws and traffic safety, geared to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians at Witherspoon Hall. He urged members of the public to sign up for the event.

The Council voted unanimously to appoint Dawn M. Mount the new municipal clerk.

There was some discussion of a resolution authorizing the Arts Council of Princeton to hold its Outdoor Art Market on May 6. While Council voted to approve the resolution, some members commented that the event causes traffic problems and should be moved from Paul Robeson Place to the section of Witherspoon Street between Nassau and Spring streets that can be legally closed for street fairs.

“We’re not going to decide this tonight,” said Freda. “This will be an ongoing debate.”

—Anne Levin

Trump Administration

continued from page one rainfall, sea-level rise, and coastal flooding.

“Using federal funds to perpetuate these narratives does not align with the priorities of this administration and such time and resources can be better utilized elsewhere,” the DOC announcement stated.

Two weeks ago government agencies, including the Department of Energy, NASA, and the Defense Department, notified Princeton University that they were suspending dozens of research grants and contracts that provide about $210 million to the University.

Amidst federal warnings and action to suspend funding to a number of universities, including Columbia, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Northwestern, and others, Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber has spoken out repeatedly in defense of academic freedom and the necessity for the federal government to provide the rights of due process.

Eisgruber, in an April 9 New York Times podcast titled “The University President Willing to Fight Trump,” in a March 21 essay in The Atlantic in which he described federal actions to defund university research as “the greatest threat to American universities since the Red Scare of the 1950s,” and in interviews with NPR, Bloomberg, and others, has denounced government funding threats.

—Donald Gilpin

Tell them you saw their ad in

County Extends Deadline For Food Security Grants

The Mercer County Office of Food Security announced that it is extending the application deadline for three new grants initiated to tackle the challenges of hunger and to eliminate the barriers that prevent Mercer residents from accessing a stable diet of nutritious food.

On April 1, the new Office of Food Security launched the Food Security Innovation Pilot Grant; the Mercer County Food Hub Pilot Grant; and the Produce, Meat and Dairy Purchasing Pilot Grant for organizations serving foodinsecure communities in Mercer County.

“In October 2024, we established the new Office of Food Security to direct funding to agencies, partners, and organizations that are dedicated to fighting hunger in Mercer County,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “These grants are an important step, prioritizing key initiatives that will use innovative tactics to drive down food insecurity.”

The Food Security Innovation Pilot Grant will allocate $200,000 to support eligible nonprofits as they introduce innovative technology-driven and consumer-focused strategies to improve food access, with a particular focus on eliminating food deserts.

The Mercer County Food Hub Pilot Grant will award a single grant of $250,000 to a single nonprofit to support the establishment of a Food Hub. This centralized facility will streamline the distribution of fresh and nutritious foods while partnering with social service providers to connect residents with comprehensive wrap-around services. The Food Hub can increase efficiency by reducing duplicative efforts and helping to coordinate the work of food security nonprofits throughout the county.

The Produce, Meat, and Dairy Purchasing Pilot Grant will provide $205,000 in direct financial assistance to established food pantries, non-profits, and community organizations to purchase and distribute essential fresh nutrient-rich foods to Mercer County residents in need.

Proposals for all the grant programs are due by noon on April 22. Information for the proposals can be found at mercercounty.org.

Police Blotter

On April 8, at 12:40 a.m., following a motor vehicle stop on Cherry Hill Road for failure to keep right and failure to maintain lane, the driver and sole occupant, a 38-year-old female from Pennington, was arrested and taken to police headquarters for processing. She was issued traffic summonses for driving while

intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and failure to keep right. She was given a court date and was released into the custody of a friend.

On April 2, at 9:44 a.m., an employee of a construction company reported that an unknown person or persons damaged multiple wooden cabinets and doors from newly built residences on Godel Lane. There are no suspects at this time. Unless noted, individuals arrested were later released.

Earth Day Birthday 55

FOR 55 YEARS, WHOLE EARTH CENTER HAS BEEN A GATHERING PLACE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS, ORGANIC FARMERS, AND LOVERS OF REAL FOOD.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE SHOPPED AT OUR STORE AND BELIEVED IN OUR MISSION.

WE INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN US IN BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE ORGANIC GARDEN STATE!

CONCIERGE-LEVEL REAL ESTATE SERVICE

Town Topics Celebrate Spring

Wine and Pasta Pairing with Ilaria Tachis

Podere La Villa is situated in a gorgeous Tuscan valley where the contrasting lush and rugged landscape brings to mind rural Renaissance paintings by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci or Benozzo Gozzoli. This tiny estate is family run by Ilaria Tachis, daughter of Giacomo Tachis, Italy’s most recognized winemaker. Giacomo’s resume includes Sassicaia, Tignanello, and Turriga to name a few.

Please note that seating for our Pasta Pairings events is communal, and we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions. If there are any guests you would like to sit next to, please include their names at checkout. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. April 2025 or Annual Wine Club Member Rate: $49 per member. Please contact our team directly to purchase.

New CEO Leads Meals on Wheels MC — Healthy Food and Friendly Connections

Venetta Ellerbe, an experienced leader of nonprofits, has, as she said in an April 11 phone conversation, “hit the ground running” in her first month on the job as the new CEO of Meals on Wheels of Mercer County (MOWMC).

With a recent surge in demand for the nutritious meals and sociable engagement the MOWMC delivers — 95,000 meals for nearly 600 participants across Mercer County last year — Ellerbe has expressed her determination to “expand our reach, deepen our partnerships, and ensure that every person who needs our services can count on us.”

In a recent press release, MOWMC Board Chair David Dafilou announced the board’s unanimous selection of Ellerbe to lead the growing organization. “She brings more than 20 years of experience within New Jersey’s nonprofit sector, in roles that highlighted her

skills in leadership, operations management, fundraising, and strategic planning,” he said.

He continued, “As MOWMC works to meet the growing demand for our services, the board is confident that Venetta’s leadership will bring increased stability, innovation, and compassion to our mission.”

A longtime resident of Somerset, Ellerbe has recently served as Interim CEO and COO at Several Sources Shelters in North Jersey, director of major gifts at Ramapo College, director of development at Unified Vailsburg Services Organization, and director of special events and annual giving at Middlesex County College Foundation. She has also been an instructor at Union County College and holds a BA from Ramapo and a master of public service leadership in nonprofit management from Thomas Edison State University.

Ellerbe noted that her experience in the nonprofit sector will be serving her well at MOWMC. “My area of expertise has been working with the most vulnerable populations and focusing on delivering services, concentrating on day-today logistics, overseeing participants, and making sure that we are hitting our fundraising goals.”

She went on to discuss some of the challenges that MOWMC is facing in the current climate of increasing demand and federal funding cuts. “Most participants are

over 60, and they often cannot prepare meals for themselves,” she said. “Some live with family members, but often because of the rising cost of food those family members might not be able to pay for meals. They may only be able to check in occasionally on their relatives.”

Ellerbe went on, “MOWMC provides prepared and cooked meals that can be refrigerated and heated up for the next day or later that same day. The meals are dietarily restricted for those who need that. We have a dietician who oversees all of the meal plans for all participants.”

Ellerbe explained that many of the participants live alone and feel isolated at times. “‘So when we are delivering meals, the volunteers are having these interactions with them that help their mental health, foster community engagement, and promote empathy and understanding across generations.”

Mark Pepper of Princeton Junction has been volunteering with MOWMC since February 2024, delivering meals to homes in Trenton on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “I think this is community service at its purest,” he said. “It’s people helping people. The people that we help are wonderful. Everyone is in it for pretty much the same reason. They want to give back to the community. They want to help people who are less fortunate than themselves.”

On his 10 to 15 deliveries

Program in Law & Normative Thinking

each day, Pepper brings along his dog “Reese’s.” (He checks with participants in advance to make sure they like dogs.) He described one of the participants on his list who lives in a Trenton apartment complex.

“She is always very sweet, and she absolutely loves my dog,” he said. “She’s elderly, not too mobile. She usually comes to the door in a wheelchair. She’s always telling me to be careful or to stay warm because it’s cold out. She’s just as concerned about me as I am about her. So many people are so grateful. And they love seeing my dog, and Reese’s loves seeing them.”

Pepper, who went to medical school and worked for many years in the pharmaceutical industry, likes being able to check in with his clients twice a week. “Some people are incapacitated,” he said. “This program helps them stay in their homes, which I think is very important, rather than move to another facility. It’s good to have these kinds of services for people. And I like getting out into the community. It makes me feel good that I’m helping people.”

Manny Noggoh, who lives in Trenton, has been delivering meals to MOWMC participants on Thursdays since 2015. Each Thursday morning he picks up 10 to 12 meals at Rider University, where they have been prepared and packed in coolers for cold food, warmers for hot food. “I grab my food and I get a list of the people to deliver to, and then we take off.” He’s the driver, and he teams up with a woman who has been working with MOWMC for more than 25 years. “It’s a nice feeling to see the same faces every week,” said Noggoh. “We establish a relationship with them. And we do look at them to make sure everything is OK, and if we see anything unusual we can call the office or get in touch with their next of kin.”

He added, “I’m not very religious, but I believe in helping others when I can, as others have helped me throughout my life. I like interacting with people. It’s a nice feeling to see them every week and see how they’re doing.”

Noggoh emphasized that more people should volunteer with MOWMC. “We drive our own cars and pay for our own insurance and gas, but it’s worth it,” he said.

PHS’ Eastburn Is In Running

For America’s Favorite Teacher

Princeton High School (PHS) Science Teacher Mark Eastburn is currently a quarter-finalist in the running for America’s Favorite Teacher, a national competition with online voting ending Thursday April 17 at 10 p.m.

Eastburn, a teacher in the Princeton Public Schools’ (PPS) acclaimed research program, taught at Johnson Park from 2001 to 2011, Riverside from 2011 to 2018, and he has taught at PHS since 2018.

In an email, he noted several accomplishments of his students that have been highlights of his career: winning recognition for the bog turtle as the official state reptile of New Jersey in 2018, winning a National Grand Prize in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competitions in 2022 and 2024, and winning first prize in the New Jersey Student Climate Challenge in 2023.

He has always focused on ensuring that all students from a diverse range of backgrounds reach their fullest potential, particularly in the sciences and Spanish, Eastburn added.

To vote for Eastburn, visit americasfavteacher. org/2025/mark-eastburn.

The teacher who receives the most votes will win $25,000, a feature in Reader’s Digest, a trip to Hawaii, and a virtual assembly for the teacher’s school with the PBS television presenter, “Science Guy” Bill Nye.

County Executive Benson Introduces 2025 Budget

On April 11, Mercer County Executive Dan Benson delivered his 2025 Budget Address to the County Board of Commissioners, presenting a budget that maintains essential county services while navigating rising costs, lingering financial challenges, and the coming impact of federal funding cuts.

“We were left with a big financial mess by the previous administration, and we’re still cleaning it up,” Benson is quoted in a press release. “Inflation, rising health care costs, past overspending, and the increased costs of housing juvenile offenders are all making this harder. But we need to take a different approach from what they’re doing on the federal level and continue to put our community first.”

increasing property values, the proposed budget will decrease the overall county tax rate by over 6 percent, though Benson emphasized that it is too soon to know what impact this will have on the county share of individual municipal tax rates.

“While lean, this budget ensures we can continue to provide the county’s essential services without jeopardizing our future,” said Benson. “We’re tightening our belts everywhere we can.” Benson noted several cost-cutting measures his administration is taking, including leaving some vacancies unfilled and relocating staff from leased facilities to a vacant county-owned building.

Benson acknowledged that “the uncertainty and chaos in Washington are already impacting us here in Mercer County.” Although direct federal funds account for less than 2 percent of the total County budget, cuts to public health, Medicaid, infrastructure spending, job training, and social services will all impact Mercer and its residents, and may lead to difficult decisions in the future.

Benson provided updates on his administration’s significant progress in stabilizing the County’s finances. Since taking office, the administration has completed four audits, introduced new financial management software, and secured $400,000 in unclaimed state funds. “We’ve updated our accounting procedures and fixed many of the areas flagged in the 2023 audit that detailed the prior administration’s poor fiscal practices,” he said.

“Throughout this process we’ve been transparent with the ratings agencies about the steps we’re taking to stabilize our finances … I’m proud to say that the outlook from ratings agencies continues to be stable.”

Benson noted that despite the financial challenges facing the county, his administration is continuing to make key investments into Mercer’s future by advancing important infrastructure projects including renovations to the Trenton Thunder ballpark, modernizing the Trenton-Mercer Airport, rebuilding the Lincoln Avenue bridge, and revitalizing the South Broad Street corridor.

MOWMC has about 200 active volunteers, but with increasing demand and diminished funding, “now, more than ever, we need your help to maintain our programs and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our seniors,” the MOWMC website states.

Visit mealsonwheelsmercer.org to learn more about opportunities to donate and volunteer.

—Donald Gilpin

The budget as proposed totals $420,116,994.83. Non-grant budget spending is increasing this year by less than 2 percent, despite $16 million increased costs from employee salaries, wages, and benefits. Through cost-cutting, as well as

Benson also emphasized that the county is continuing to utilize its dedicated Open Space Trust Fund to invest in preserving open space, and will soon launch a municipal and nonprofit grant program to maintain and improve Mercer’s trail network. To view the full speech, visit mercercounty.org.

Venetta Ellerbe

a reportorial account of the adventures of Odysseus but deeply into the experience itself through an intense focus on speech and sounds, which are the essence of poetry. Highly recommended.”

Daniel Mendelsohn Discusses New “Odyssey” Translation at Labyrinth

classicist, and transla Daniel Mendelsohn will discuss his new translation (University of Chicago Press, $39) on Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m. at Labyrinth Books, 122

Widely known for his essays bringing classical

of many recent translations, he artfully reproduces the epic’s formal qualities — meter, enjambment, allit eration, assonance — and in so doing restores to Homer’s masterwork its ar chaic grandeur.” The result, the publisher continues, “is the richest, most ample, most precise, and most mu

A frequent contributor of essays to The New Yorker The New York Review of Books, where he is editorat-large, is the author of 10 books, including the international bestsellers The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million, winner of the National Jewish Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic , an NPR and Kirkus Best Book of the Year. His other honors include the Prix Médicis in France and the Premio Malaparte, Italy’s highest honor for foreign writers. In 2022 he was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Republic of France. He is currently the Charles Ranlett Flint Professor of Humanities at Bard College.

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Wilson, Lucero in Conversation on “A Tohono O’odham Life Across the Borders”

Human rights activist Michael “Mike” Wilson, who has borne witness to the human costs of poverty, racism, border policing, and the legacies of colonialism, will be in conversation at Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street, on Tuesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. He will be joined by collaborating writer José Antonio Lucero to discuss their book, What Side Are You On? A Tohono O’odham Life Across the Borders.

From a childhood in the mining town of Ajo, Ariz., Wilson’s life journey led him to U.S military service in Central America, seminary education, and religious and human rights activism against the abuses of U.S. immigration policies. With increased militarization of the US-Mexico border, migration across the Tohono O’odham Nation surged,

as did migrant deaths and violent encounters between tribal citizens and U.S. Border Patrol agents. When Wilson’s religious and ethical commitments led him to set up water stations for migrants on the Nation’s lands, it brought him into conflict not only with the U.S. government but also with his own tribal and religious communities.

This collaboratively written memoir brings Wilson’s experiences to life. Joining Wilson as coauthor, Lucero adds political and historical context to Wilson’s personal narrative. Together they offer an original portrait of an O’odham life across borders that sheds light on the struggles and resilience of Native peoples across the Americas, according to the publisher (University of North Carolina Press, $24.95 paperback).

Wilson (Tohono O’odham) is a human rights activist, U.S. military retiree, and film documentarian. In May 2024, he received an honorary doctorate in divinity from the San Francisco Theological Seminary, now part of the University of Redlands.

Lucero is chair and professor of the Comparative History of Ideas Department at the University of Washington, Seattle, and holds a joint appointment in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.

Sciolino Leads a “Tour” of the Louvre A former New York Times Paris bureau chief explores the Louvre, offering an intimate journey of discovery and revelation, when Elaine Sciolino comes to Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street, on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m. to offer insights into one of the world’s most famous museums.

In Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum, (W.W. Norton & Co., $29.99) Sciolino immerses herself in the celebrated museum, and helps readers fall in love with what was once a forbidding fortress. Exploring galleries, basements, rooftops, and gardens, Sciolino demystifies the Louvre, introducing readers to her favorite artworks, both legendary and overlooked, and to the people who are the museum’s lifeblood: the curators, the artisans producing frames and engravings, the builders overseeing restorations, and the firefighters protecting the aging structure.

Travel expert Rick Steves writes, “Elaine brings her journalist’s perspective for making sense of [the Louvre] in her latest book … helping us find new ways to enjoy the massive Louvre… She writes about its allure, romance, and even its secrets.”

Sciolino is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Only Street in Paris , as well as The Seine and La Seduction

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

There are Many Opportunities for Creative Thought And Reuse of Choir College Property and Its Buildings

To the Editor:

Congratulations and thank you to town Council for the courage and clever implementation of eminent domain to bring resolution to the Choir College acquisition. Like many other residents, we wonder and have thoughts about the reuse of this site. Too often, outside consultants with little knowledge of Princeton and the values of its residents are retained at considerable cost with less than ideal results. Princeton is fortunate in having many bright, creative and successful residents that are available or can be retained to advise on this opportunity. The involvement of Princeton Future and volunteer resources is representative of how community planning can be accomplished that is satisfactory to its residents. The Choir College site could provide a location for mixed and affordable housing, reuse of the existing academic buildings by the PPS or other entities, and providing open space at the existing front lawn.

For example, a 40-year land lease for the vacant rear property to a developer who would pay the bond interest cost apportioned to that part of the site over 40 years could financially provide an incentive for a greater number of affordable units than the typical 20 percent currently required. The developer receives the IRS tax benefits of depreciating his entire construction cost without the expensive initial land cost, while the town ultimately benefits from the land and asset reversion after 40 years.

Is this feasible? Ask prominent local developers and architects to meet in roundtable discussions with the municipality and Princeton Future to develop an outline concept for residential reuse that is sensitive to the neighborhood while addressing the state mandated affordable requirement. They have the experience and financial savvy to propose concepts that would be open to public review before consultants prepare the request for formal redevelopment proposals.

The existing academic buildings could be reutilized with safety updates to meet the N.J. rehabilitation subcode, without extensive modifications that would destroy these buildings and increase project costs. Or perhaps another charter or private school could step up financially to either purchase or lease them. Open park space could be retained at the front lawn, perhaps with adjacent single family homes that mirror the size and height of neighboring homes.

In summary, there are many opportunities for creative thought and reuse of the Choir College property and its buildings. Residents have already taken on an $89 million PPS bond cost, so Council needs to mitigate the $42 mil

Noting that Town Council Owes Community Transparency Regarding Westminster Campus

To the Editor:

Once again, Council has demonstrated its disrespect for the residents who elected them and the property owners who pay taxes by rushing to burden us with a large expenditure for the former Westminster Choir College campus, without ascertaining our opinions.

The litigation among Rider University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the Westminster Alumni group has been dragging on for years and was unlikely to conclude soon. There was no need to hurry. The Council had sufficient time to solicit and listen to our opinions before undertaking condemnation.

Their stated plans for the property are extremely vague. We all deserve a detailed explanation of their plans, ample opportunity for public comment, and a means to approve future expenditures before any further decisions are made.

MARYANN WITALEC KEYES Franklin Avenue

Warning That Lesser Celandine Poses a Serious Threat to Local Nature Preserves

To the Editor:

Blooming now in a yard near you, and probably in your own yard, is a pretty little flower that is big trouble. Lesser celandine, with its low mound of roundish leaves and yellow flowers, may look harmless when it first arrives in your yard, but be forewarned. Unless you remove or spot-spray those first few that show up, they will quickly spread to pave your lawn and garden beds, then spread into your neighbors’ yards as well. Unlike dandelions, which also begin blooming now, lesser celandine poses a serious threat to local nature preserves. Thriving in shade or sun, its poisonous leaves coat natural areas, displacing native wildflowers and cheating wildlife of food.

When I moved to Princeton 22 years ago, I first noticed lesser celandine ( Ficaria verna ) coating Pettoranello Gardens, then watched as it spread downstream into Mountain Lakes, turning a once diverse spring landscape into a monotonous yellow declaration of Me! Me! Me! Ever since, I’ve been sounding the warning on my PrincetonNatureNotes blog. People mistakenly called it marsh marigold — a native that is larger and exceedingly rare. More recently, lesser celandine has begun popping up in yards in the Little Brook neighborhood and just about everywhere else. It can spread via seeds and tubers, but primarily through bulblets that grow on its stem. These likely hitchhike from yard to yard on lawnmower equipment.

To dig the plant out, be thorough, removing every last tuber, and throw it in the trash, not the compost. Far easier and more effective is to spot spray with an herbicide that

609-977-5872

kills the root. Penn State Extension recommends Roundup, which can also be bought in a wetland-safe formulation online. For lawns, a broadleaf product like Aquasweep looks like a good option. It’s understandable to be queasy about herbicide use, and yet some are far safer than others. We ourselves take targeted, minimalist medicines of known toxicity to heal our bodies. Doesn’t nature deserve similar protection?

Lesser celandine also poses a threat to the tradition of sharing plants. A spring ephemeral, it fades back into the ground in early summer, and could easily hitchhike in the soil of garden plants given to friends. One neighbor brazenly sells lesser celandine-laced garden plants to unsuspecting facebook marketplace customers.

For many, lesser celandine’s rapid spread is a source of despair. But the good news is that proactive action in your yard, and even better a coordinated response by neighbors, can prevent a neighborhood from being taken over. Spot spray the green leaves each spring, then rest easy, knowing there will be fewer and fewer each year. With all the radical destabilization at work in the world, here’s a menace you can do something about.

Letters to the Editor Policy

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

All letters are subject to editing and to available space.

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

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

When necessary, letters with negative content may be shared with the person/group in question in order to allow them the courtesy of a response, with the understanding that the communications end there. Letters to the Editor may be submitted, preferably by email, to editor@towntopics.com, or by post to Town Topics, PO Box 125, Kingston, N.J. 08528. Letters submitted via mail must have a valid signature.

No matter the size, each project receives the same superior craftsmanship and detailed project management.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 5:00pm Eastern

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STEVE HILTNER North Harrison Street

Alexandra of “1923” Finds Comic Relief in Chaplin’s “The Pilgrim”

The SOB is a ballet dancer, the best ballet dancer that ever lived. And if I get a good chance I’ll kill him with my bare hands.

—W.C. Fields on Charlie Chaplin

The talkies brought forth one great comedian, the late, majestically lethargic W.C. Fields who could not possibly have worked as well in silence...

—James Agee, from “Comedy’s Greatest Era”

I’d agree with Agee if I hadn’t just seen Fields at his flinching, cringing, fumbling, pugnacious, masterfully disoriented best in the 1926 silent The Old Army Game , which also offered actual visual details (cars, stores, streets, small town America) to compare to the period recreation in Paramount’s recent series 1923. Given Chaplin’s immense popularity in those days, it was interesting to watch his 1923 silent feature The Pilgrim alongside Taylor Sheridan’s brilliant prequel to Yellowstone at a time when theaters all over the country, including one in Billings, Montana, would have been screening the latest Chaplin. And since The Pilgrim opened in New York in late February 1923, I’m taking the liberty of installing it in a Times Square movie house on the day that 1923’s embattled heroine Alexandra Dutton arrived in America.

Ellis Island Ordeal

What tempts me to imagine The Pilgrim into the third episode of 1923’s second season (“Wrap Thee in Terror”), is the witty, charming, and altogether delightful woman portrayed by Julia Schlaepfer. Admirers of Paramount’s Golden Age star Carole Lombard will see a 21st-century throwback in Alexandra, which makes it even harder to watch her being brutally debased by three Ellis Island immigration doctors. Poked in the stomach, made to strip naked, treated as a pregnant adventuress, she braves the humiliation, and, in one of the great moments of the show, shames the last and harshest of the doctors by quoting the lines on the Statue of Liberty (“give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses”) and reading a passage from Walt Whitman as further proof of her literacy.

As Schlaepfer tells TV Guide, the scene was particularly important for her because her great grandfather had gone through Ellis Island in 1925 “with no money and had a difficult time.” She finds “an extra level of heart” in “knowing that an experience like this is where I came from.” Referring to her Whitman moment, Schlaepfer says “It felt really good. We filmed the

violation/assault scene right before .... So to then feel like she has this moment of redemption, it just felt like the right way to shake off the day. I think everyone on set felt her redemption, and this return back to the Alex we all know and love. The spunky, sparky, feisty woman that she is.”

Chaplin would have appreciated Alex’s triumph, having dealt with the rigors of an Ellis Island arrival in 1917’s The Immigrant. As Steven Weissman puts it in Chaplin: A Life (Arcade 2008): “Determined to preserve his dignity through noncomformity,” the Tramp “slyly back-kicks” an immigration official “in his authoritarian behind.”

Adding that there was “nothing bitter” in the film’s “social satire,” Weissman calls it Chaplin’s “comic valentine to the American Dream.”

There’s a certain contemporary resonance in the fact that when Chaplin was forced to leave America in 1952, the kicking of the immigration officer was cited as evidence of his “anti-Americanism.”

Four decades later, The Immigrant was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Alex Finds Chaplin

point out Montana to the ticket agent. Having lived through her own frenzied elopement with big game hunter Spencer Dutton, a shipboard marriage, and the African Queen-like epic of her escape from her intended mate, the Count of Sussex, Alex would no doubt be amused by the eloping couple that wants the “parson” to marry them and ends up chasing Chaplin down the railway station platform while being pursued by the girl’s outraged father in a scene right out of Mack Sennett.

Alex Laughing

In my reimagining of Alex’s movements after the Ellis Island ordeal, I thought she could use an hour of comic relief in a Broadway movie house showing The Pilgrim, whose plot coincidentally accords with her situation, since the Tramp has escaped from prison and is taking a train west disguised as a parson. Admittedly, there’s no room in 1923 ’s hazardous multi-level plotline for this break in the action, Alex’s immediate mission being to find her way to the right railway station and the right train, using a large map of the U.S. to

Knowing the unrelenting adversity awaiting Alex in her westward journey, not least an episode of her sexual abuse on the train that almost lands the victim in prison, it’s consoling to imagine her relaxing into laughter, as when the Tramp forgets he’s a member of the clergy and is about to ride the rails hobo style even though he has a ticket in his hand. Since Alex laughs a lot during her whirlwind relationship with Spencer, it’s easy to imagine the sound of her laughter — infectious, seductive, sophisticated, sometimes charmingly uninhibited — as Charlie’s parson arrives in Devil’s Gulch, Texas, in time to deliver a pantomimed sermon on David and Goliath for the parishioners.

Straddling the Border

I imagine Alex coming out of the theatre smiling thoughtfully as she absorbs the picture’s last scene wherein after being captured, the Tramp is released at the Mexican border by an understanding sheriff. After bidding his savior goodbye with a wave, and blowing him a kiss, Charlie extends his arms as if to embrace his new country (“Mexico -- a new life! Peace at last!”), when a gunfight breaks

out and someone’s shot dead, sending him back to the U.S. side of the border, which he straddles on his way into the Chaplinesque sunset, one foot in America, the other in Mexico.

“The Gold Rush” I was surprised to find that the film critic André Bazin named The Pilgrim among “the ten greatest movies of all time” in the 1952 Sight and Sound poll. Having just seen it twice in two days, and enjoying it through Alexandra’s eyes, I reminded myself that the train taking Chaplin’s parson to Texas was actually taking him to California and the making of The Gold Rush , his cinematic breakthrough, which came in second to The Bicycle Thief in Sight and Sound’s greatest film list. I found The Pilgrim worth seeing if only for its intimations of the great scenes to come, as when Chaplin serves up a bowler hat disguised as a plum pudding that presages the feast of the boot shared by the Tramp and Mack Swain’s Big Jim.

With all the centenary excitement around The Great Gatsby, I’d forgotten that 100 years ago June 26, 1925, The Gold Rush had its World Premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. While I hope to devote a June column to the film, I can’t help thinking of the dream sequence that follows on the comic momentum of the miner’s shack teetering on the abyss, with a ravenous Big Jim hallucinating the Tramp as a giant chicken; and Chaplin dining on his boot as if it were a great delicacy. As the Tramp prepares a New Year’s Eve dinner for some dancehall girls, Chaplin the director is creating a fantasy that at first actually seems to be happening when the “Little Fellow” seemingly becomes the smiling all-powerful master of the scene, the girls having the time of their lives, wearing the favors he made for them, toasting him, adoring him, calling for a speech. Instead, he gives them (and the audience) the “Oceana Roll,” a piece of magic performed by candlelight with two forks and two rolls, evidence that the man W.C. Fields called the “best ballet dancer that ever lived” is also a master choreographer.

AFields and Chaplin

fter imagining 1923’s Alexandra into The Pilgrim , I briefly fantasized a movie starring Fields and Chaplin that would match Fields’s “monstrous lethargy” with Chaplin’s balletic perversity. In fact, both men did share a Christmas double feature of sorts, Fields dying on December 25, 1946, Chaplin on December 25, 1977.

—Stuart Mitchner

Performing Arts

MUSIC AT TRINITY: The Signum Quartet returns to Princeton as part of Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Series at Trinity Church on May 1.

Chamber Music Series

Presented by PSO

The Signum Quartet returns to Princeton on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. to perform in the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO)’s new chamber music series at Trinity Church.

The ensemble consists of violinists Florian Donderer and Annette Walther, violist Xandi van Dijk, and cellist Thomas Schmitz. On the program are Franz Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet in C Major, Op. 33 No. 3, “The Bird”; Vítezslava Kaprálová’s String Quartet, Op. 8; and Antonín Dvorák’s String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106.

The quartet began their 2024-25 season with performances across Germany, Switzerland, and Spain. They also toured South Africa combining programs featuring select works by Haydn, Schumann, and Brahms with an original presentation highlighting current South African composers and musicians in honor of the 30th anniversary of the fall of apartheid.

In 2021, the ensemble made its debut at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Library of Congress in 2023. This spring, they return to the United States as a featured guest artist at the Salt Lake City Chamber

Music Society and the PSO’s Chamber Series at Trinity. They will make their Chinese debut in Chengdu, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The recent recording of their Schubert cycle, Lebensmuth, received an Opus Klassik Award in 2024.

Tickets are $45 (youths 5-17 receive a 50 percent discount with an adult purchase. Visit princetonsymphony.org or call (609) 497-0020.

Henson/Bowie Collaboration Fuses Film and Live Music

State Theatre New Jersey presents Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert on Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. For the first time, Jim Henson’s original masterpiece and musical fantasy film Labyrinth, starring David Bowie, will transport fans to Goblin City in a blend of film and live music on stage.

The event will start with a costume contest on stage. The movie is presented on a large HD cinema screen. On stage, a live band will perform in sync with Bowie’s original vocals, playing the songs and the score from the soundtrack composed by Bowie and Trevor Jones.

Tickets range from $29$125.

Labyrinth’s cult following has grown for nearly 40 years since the film’s

theatrical release on June 27, 1986.

“I have always been a huge fan of the groundbreaking collaboration of Jim Henson, George Lucas, David Bowie, and Trevor Jones on this film, and bringing it to fans in a live concert screening experience is a dream come true,” said John Kinsner, CEO of the concert’s producer Black Ink Presents. “Getting to hear Bowie’s vocals with a live band while watching the film is sure to give every Labyrinth fan goosebumps.”

Starring Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, as well as scores of goblins and creatures from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the film features a soundtrack of memorable melodies including Bowie’s original songs like “Magic Dance,” “Underground,” and “As the World Falls Down,” along with Jones’ orchestral score.

State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Visit Stnj.org.

Dryden Ensemble Performs In Princeton Seminary Chapel

The Dryden Ensemble returns with its new artistic director, Daniel Swenberg, in a program entitled “Baroque Passion: Musical Meditations on Holy Week,” on Saturday, April 19 at 4 p.m. at the Princeton Theological

Seminary Chapel, 64 Mercer Street. Admission is free.

The ensemble will complete its Phoenix Season with a program of musical contemplations on themes of Holy Week. The program features soprano Clara Rottsolk and gambist Arnie Tanimoto, who will join Dryden regulars Daniel Swenberg (artistic director/lutes), Lisa Terry (viola da gamba), and Webb Wiggins (chamber organ). Rottsolk specializes in historically informed performance practice, singing with the American Bach Soloists, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Colorado Bach Ensemble, Trinity Wall Street Choir, and Seraphic Fire. She has performed at the Carmel Bach Festival, Philadelphia Bach Festival, and Boston Early Music Festival. A native of Seattle, Rottsolk earned music degrees at Rice University and Westminster Choir Collegeand was awarded recognition for musical excellence by the Metropolitan Opera National Council. Currently she is based in Philadelphia and teaches voice at Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr Colleges.

Tanimoto was a gold medalist and first-ever American laureate of the International Bach-Abe l Competition (2018). He has performed and recorded with Barthold Kuijken, Enrico Gatti, the Boston Early Music Festival, and the Smithsonian Consort of Viols. In 2017 he was awarded with a Frank Huntington Beebe Fund Fellowship and subsequently finished his studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. His principal teachers include Paolo Pandolfo, Christel Thielmann, and Catharina Meints. He also holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music. Tanimoto is a member of the performance faculty in the Department of Music at Princeton University.

Parking is available in the lot between Stockton and Mercer streets, with an entrance from Library Place. Admission is free, though donations will be gratefully accepted at drydenensemble.org.

English-Speaking Union Presents Practitioners of Musick

The musical riches of 18th-century Dublin will be surveyed in a concert with commentary entitled “Beyond the Fanlight — Music in Georgian Dublin” on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. at the Center for Modern Aging. The event is hosted by the English-Speaking Union, Princeton Branch, 101 Poor Farm Road.

The performers are the Practitioners of Musick, with John Burkhalter playing English and small flutes, and Sheldon Eldridge, harpsichordist.

“Concert-going in Dublin in the 18th century was very much part of the social life

ON TOUR: McCarter Theatre is a stop on Twyla Tharp’s 60th Anniversary Tour on Thursday April 17 at 7:30 p.m. The celebrated choreographer is marking this milestone with a coast-to-coast tour featuring her “Diabelli Variations,” set to Beethoven’s work of the same name and performed live by pianist Vladimir Rumyantsev; and “SLACKTIDE,” a new work set to a reimagining of Philip Glass’s “Aguas da Amazonia,” arranged and recorded by Third Coast Percussion. McCarter is at 91 University Place. Visit mccarter.org. (Photo by Mark Selinger)

in the Irish capital,” reads a release about the event.

“And despite its location on the periphery of Europe, Dublin boasted a surprisingly active musical life in the 18th century. The Irish capital attracted a number of renowned musicians, including Geminiani, Arne, and Handel. An illustrated overview of Dublin by John Burkhalter will complement the musical performance.”

The Practitioners of Musick was founded to survey the musical riches of 17th and 18th century Great Britain and Ireland and the Colonial and Federal periods in America. Founder Burkhalter has lectured widely on musical topics in America and abroad, and has performed with numerous musical ensembles at venues throughout the northeast.

Eldridge is a graduate of Westminster Choir College,

where he majored in organ. His graduate studies and professional work included organ performance with William Hays and choral conducting with Joseph Flummerfelt. Studies at Merton College, Oxford, involved courses in Renaissance music. He is currently organist and choirmaster of Saint Mary’s-in-Tuxedo, Tuxedo Park, N.Y.

Founded in 1920, The English-Speaking Union is a nonprofit, non-political educational organization that employs English as a catalyst to foster global understanding and goodwill through educational and cultural exchange programs. The ESU carries out its work through a network of 58 Branches nationwide along with affiliates in the United Kingdom and 60 other countries. New members are welcome. Visit legacy.esuus. org/Princeton.

Continued on Page 23

TWYLA

GOBLIN CITY: Jim Henson’s film “Labyrinth” starring David Bowie is the subject of “Labyrinth in Concert” at the State Theatre New Jersey on May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Clara Rottsolk

Town Topics Education and Recreation

Bilingual Cooking Classes with In-House Chef

Art Classes with the Arts Council of Princeton

Local Princeton Walking Trips and Engaging Field Trips

Desayuno saludable, Almuerzo casero, Merienda nutritiva

Clases de Música Bilingües con el Currículo de Música Juntos con Español

Clases de Cocina Bilingües con Chef de la casa

Clases de Arte con el Consejo de las Artes de Princeton

Excursiones a pie locales de Princeton y Excursiones atractivas.

Horas de Cuentos con la Bibliotecaria Infantil de la Biblioteca Pública de Princeton

Canterbury School

Choate Rosemary Hall

The Delbarton School

George School

The Hotchkiss School

The Hun School of Princeton

The Lawrenceville School

Loomis Chaffee

Notre Dame High School

The Peddie School

The Pennington School

Phillips Exeter Academy

Princeton Day School

Rutgers Preparatory School

Wardlaw-Hartridge School

Showcase on May 4 at Richardson Auditorium.

Conservatory Students to Play At

Richardson Auditorium Event

On Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m., Westminster Conservatory presents the Westminster Conservatory Showcase in a concert at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus.

On the program are the Westminster Community Orchestra conducted by Ruth Ochs, the Rider University Chorale conducted by Tom Shelton, and piano duo Phyllis Alpert Lehrer and Ena Bronstein Barton.

Also performing are Honors Music Program vocal soloists, and the winners of the Conservatory Piano Concerto Competition. Tickets at $15 and $20 are available at the door, online at tickets.princeton.edu, or by calling (609) 258-9220.

“Ya Don’t

Say” Tour Stars

Comic Normand State Theatre New Jersey presents Mark Normand: Ya Don’t Say on Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35-$159.75

Dubbed by Jerry Seinfeld as the “best young upand-coming comic,” Normand has a growing

reputation for his comedy acts. His 2023 one-hour Netflix special, Soup to Nuts , was a staple in the streamers’ Top 10 for several weeks. This follows Normand’s self-released special, 2020’s Out to Lunch, which amassed over 12 million views on YouTube.

Normand also starred in Netflix’s Season 3 of The Stand-Ups . He has taken his act to such countries as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Spain, Norway, and Portugal.

The New Orleans-born comedian previously had two Comedy Central specials and has appeared on Conan , The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . He is a frequent guest on The Joe Rogan Experience and hosts his own podcasts Tuesdays with Stories and We Might Be Drunk

choreographing a dance piece. Fellows are expected to be active members of the University’s intellectual and artistic community while in residence, and in return, they are provided with the resources and spaces necessary for their work.

For questions about

write to lca-fellowships@ princeton.edu

The Fraggles’ Tour Stops in New Brunswick State Theatre New Jersey presents “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE” on Saturday, April 26 at 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$59.

State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Visit Stnj. org for tickets.

Princeton Arts Fellows Named for

2025-2027

Interdisciplinary artists Niall Jones and Tamara Santibañez have been named Princeton University Arts Fellows for 2025-2027 by the Lewis Center for the Arts and will begin two years of teaching and community collaboration at the University in September. The two artists were selected by faculty from more than 800 applicants in creative writing, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts.

The Arts Fellows program of the Lewis Center provides support for early-career artists who have demonstrated both extraordinary promise and a record of achievement in their fields with the opportunity to further their work while teaching within a liberal arts context. Fellows are selected for a two-year residency to teach a course each semester or to undertake an artistic assignment that deeply engages undergraduate students, such as directing a play, conducting a musical ensemble, or

Jones is an artist, performer, and teacher based in New York City. His recent performance works have been presented at Abrons Arts Center, the Chocolate Factory, The Shed, Performance Space, Danspace Project, and The Kitchen@ Queenslab in New York City; Jack Art Center in Brooklyn; MoMA PS1 in Queens, N.Y.; Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Stuttgart, Germany; Performance Space New York, N.Y.; and as part of the School for Temporary Liveness, Vol. 3, in Philadelphia. Jones is currently a visiting faculty member in the B.F.A. Dance Lab and Low-Residency M.F.A. in Dance program at Bennington College for the 2024-2025 academic year. Santibañez is an interdisciplinary artist and oral historian living and working in Brooklyn. In 2019, they were awarded the Van Lier Fellowship at New York’s Museum of Arts and Design and were a recipient of the Ruth and Harold Chenven Foundation Grant. Their work has been exhibited at JTT Gallery, Selenas Mountain, the American Museum of Ceramic Art, the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago, the Perez Art Museum Miami, and in performance at MoMA PS1, among others. They are the author of Could This Be Magic? Tattooing as Liberation Work (Afterlife Press) and the Memory

Based on Jim Henson’s award-winning Apple TV+ original series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock , recipient of this year’s Emmy for Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series, this all-new, family-friendly live stage show will feature new walkaround versions of the Fraggles, new puppet versions of their gearhead friends the Doozers, and visits from a giant Gorg, as well as new puppet creature friends — all built by Henson’s Creature Shop.

Written and directed by John Tartaglia ( Avenue Q, Shrek the Musical, Stephen Schwartz’s The Secret Silk), the interactive live musical will feature both new and classic Fraggle songs, immersive stage effects, and all the magic that has kept Fraggle Rock captivating generations of audiences for over 40 years

State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Visit stnj. org for tickets.

ActorsNET Has New Take On Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”

ActorsNET invites audiences to experience a fresh perspective on Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House at The Heritage Center Theatre in Morrisville, Pa., May 2-18.

Adapted by Maryalice and Hayley Rubins-Topoleski, this reimagining sets

the classic drama in Philadelphia during the 1960s. A Doll’s House tells the story of Nora Helmer (Cat Milone), who appears to have it all: a comfortable suburban home, a successful husband, and adorable children. But beneath the surface of this seemingly perfect 1960s life lies a secret that threatens to shatter her carefully constructed world. As the truth unravels, Nora is forced to confront the limitations placed upon her as a woman and make a radical choice that will change her life forever.

“By setting the play in the 1960s, a period marked by social upheaval and the burgeoning second-wave feminist movement, this adaptation provides a unique lens through which to explore Ibsen’s timeless themes of societal constraint and personal liberation,” said Director Maryalice RubinsTopoleski. “The clash between traditional expectations and the rising desire for autonomy amplifies Nora’s struggle, making her journey of self-discovery both intimately familiar and profoundly insightful. Our adaptation illuminates the ongoing relevance of Ibsen’s work, showcasing how the pursuit of individual freedom and equality remains a vital conversation.”

The Heritage Center Theatre is located at 635 North Delmorr Avenue, near the Calhoun Street Bridge. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Doors open half an hour before show time. There will be an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 10. Visit actorsnetbucks.org for tickets.

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY: Princeton University senior Clara Toujas, front, and the cast of her new work

moi et nous,” one of two dance pieces to be performed April 17-19

Hearst Dance Theater in the Lewis Arts complex on the campus. The second work is

(Photo by Emily Tang)

WINNING PIANISTS: The winners of the Westminster Conservatory Piano Concerto Competition are, from left, Caelan Costello, Vito Cottone, and Joanna Hou. The three young musicians will perform at the Conservatory’s

STAND-UP STAR: Mark Normand brings his comedy routines to the State Theatre in New Brunswick on April 25.

Niall Jones

(Photo by Heather Cromartie)

FAMILY FRIENDLY: “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE” plays two shows at State Theatre New Jersey on April 26.

the Fellowship program,

Women and Curation

Thursday, April 24, 5:30 p.m. | Friend Center 101

A group of prominent women curators discuss their curatorial visions, curation in the 21st century, and how being Asian American women brings expectation and possibility to their practice.

PANELISTS: Cindy Kang, The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Michelle Kuo, The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Zoe Kwok, The Princeton University Art Museum Iris Moon, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Introduced by Museum Director James Steward. Moderated by Anne A. Cheng, professor of English, Princeton University. Reception to follow.

Awards Presented at Phillips’ Mill Photo Exhibit

About two hundred attendees recently gathered for the artists’ reception that opened the Phillips’ Mill Community Association’s 32nd annual “Photographic Exhibition.”

Showcasing 150 contemporary works across many genres, from portraiture to nature to abstraction, the 2025 “Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition” was selected by a panel of three jurors: Jennifer King, an internationally acclaimed landscape and fine-art photographer; Kristen King, a veteran photography instructor in Bucks County, Pa., high schools; and Nora Odendahl, co-chair of the Phillips’ Mill Photo Committee, whose members are responsible for putting on the exhibition.

As part of the jurying process, these judges also chose images for 10 special awards. Sue Ann Rainey, a longtime Bucks County resident and the other cochair of the Photo Committee, presented the prizes to recipients on Saturday evening.

Bucks County resident Harold Stetson won Best of Show for a classic blackand-white photograph of an engineer working on an antique steam locomotive.

“I’m fascinated by old tools and old industrial technology,” said Stetson. “I like to concentrate on the men and women working on a locomotive, for example, getting it ready for the day’s work or, in the case of Number 40, putting it to bed for the night. The skills, tools, and experience needed haven’t changed much in 100 years, and it’s still just as difficult and dirty as it was then. My goal was to make a photograph that demonstrates this to the viewer while at the same time bringing out the beauty and power of the locomotive.”

Best Body of Work went to New Jersey resident Richard Van Fleet for his series of moody figurative images, including a ghostly double exposure and a screen of water droplets. He notes that using a studio setting “provided controlled lighting, environment, wardrobe — and imagination.”

A complete list of award winners and their photos is posted on the Phillips’ Mill website at phillipsmill.org.

The exhibition will be on view at Phillips’ Mill, 2619 River Road, New Hope, Pa., through April 18. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday. A donation of $5 is requested. For more information, visit phillipsmill.org.

“Cultural Connections” Programs Offered at Trenton City Museum Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie will present two public programs as part of its exhibition “Cultural Connections: Eastern European Artists of Greater Trenton,” which is on view through June 8.

An afternoon with photographer and filmmaker Leo Vayn will screen and discuss Vayn’s documentary The Road to Krasnostav on Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. Produced by the Soviet Russia-born Vayn, the film examines one family’s personal journey through the former Jewish shtetl in Krasnostav,

Ukraine, to reconnect with a past that saw the town’s Jewish population executed by the Nazis in 1941. Vayn, of Princeton, is a businessperson and entrepreneur who has dedicated himself to photography and the Tsal Kaplun Foundation, created to preserve Jewish culture and heritage in the former Soviet Union. He is among the 10 area artists with artwork showcased in “Cultural Connections.” Admission is $5 at the door (free for museum members).

Leo Vayn

“Sorrow & Joy: Ukrainian Art Songs” is planned for Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m. This exploration of Ukrainian classical music will include works by Mykola Lysenko, who is considered the father of Ukrainian classical music; Kyrylo Stetsenko, one of Ukraine’s most prolific and important 20th century artists; Vasyl Barvinsky, Ukraine’s first internationally known composer; and Stefania Turkewich, Ukraine’s first female composer. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.

The May events are part of the “Cultural Connections” show developed and curated by Liz and Dan Aubrey to launch a series of exhibitions designed to highlight artistic traditions and practices in the region and to build awareness and dialog. Liz Aubrey is an active New Jersey artist and exhibitions curator. Dan Aubrey is a journalist, playwright, and arts coordinator.

The artists of “Cultural Connections” include Marina Ahun, Princeton; Irena Gobernik, Princeton; Olga Gobernik-Kon, Princeton and Israel; Adriana Groza, Hamilton; Jadwiga (Heidi), Trenton; Tatiana Oles, Princeton; Asia Popinski, Pennington; Jacek (Jack) Szymula, Trenton; Leonid (Leo) Vayn, Princeton; and Ewa Zeller, Trenton. For more information, visit ellarslie.org/cultural.

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is located in Trenton’s historic Cadwalader Park. Museum and museum store hours are Thursday through Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee to view the museum’s offerings, but

donations in support of its mission and programs are welcomed. Learn more at ellarslie.org or call (609) 9891191.

Artworks Trenton Introduces Underpass Mural Project Artworks Trenton, the city’s nonprofit visual art center, has unveiled an ambitious project to reshape the urban landscape and redefine pedestrian experiences in Trenton. In collaboration with a coalition of nonprofit organizations and local and state government partners, Artworks has announced Phase 1 of the Trenton Artwalk: the commissioning of a public art mural to animate the Route 1/129 underpass.

The proposed mural, a permanent artistic transformation of the underpass’s north wall along Market Street, marks the initial step in creating a visually captivating and pedestrianfriendly Artwalk connecting the Trenton Transit Center with downtown Trenton. This project aims to foster a safer, more inviting passage while promoting healthy living and public transit use among residents, commuters, and visitors.

The Trenton Transit Center serves as a transit gateway, accommodating Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, SEPTA, and the River Line light rail. Currently, pedestrians navigating the route to downtown Trenton face dark, unwelcoming conditions through the Route 1/129 underpass, according to a press release. The Trenton Artwalk initiative envisions a dynamic transformation, incorporating public art, wayfinding elements, traffic calming measures, and landscaping to create a safe and inspiring journey. Phase 1 of the Artwalk begins with the Route 1/129 underpass mural. This mural will brighten the underpass and reflect the history and culture of Trenton.

Artworks Trenton is inviting artists from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for this public art opportunity. The selected artist or artists will design, fabricate, and install a mural that captures the community spirit and enriches the city’s cultural landscape. Artists are encouraged to incorporate local themes and involve Trenton’s youth, schools, and communities in the creative process. Artists shortlisted for the next phase will each receive a $1,500 stipend to develop detailed proposals and present their ideas to the Art Selection Committee and community members. For more information, visit artworkstrenton.org.

well loved and well read since 1946

“NUMBER 40”: This photograph by Harold Stetson won Best in Show at this year’s “Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition,” on view through April 18 at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.

Shopping Center. Her greeting cards sell throughout the East Coast, and can be found at Tipple & Rose, Labyrinth books, and Princeton Makes.

Princeton Makes to Host Art at Night This Saturday Princeton Makes, a Princeton-based artist cooperative, will ring in the spring with its semi-annual Art at Night, an evening art making party, on Saturday, April 19 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. The party will take place at its artist studios and art market in the Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street.

Art at Night will be an evening of creativity and community featuring live model drawing sessions (with supplies provided), a collaborative community art project, hands-on creative activities for all ages, artist demonstrations, live music by goodfellow, a raffle of Princeton Makes artists’ work, and more. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public, though a $10 per person donation is requested and appreciated.

Zohar Lavi-Hasson, a Princeton Makes ceramicist, said, “Our Art at Night parties have been a great opportunity for everyone in the community to meet local artists, watch them at work, get creative, and explore the coop’s vibrant space. We’ll provide the materials, music, inspiration, and light snacks, and people can get into their creative groove.”

Senior Citizen Art Show or the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show (NJSAS).

The registration deadline is June 13. Artists may register by completing an online registration form at https://shorturl.at/G4IuP or by filling out a print registration form, which can be printed from shorturl.at/ dDMJ5, and mailing it to the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage, 640 South Broad Street Trenton, NJ 08611 – RM 417. Artists must drop off their registered artwork at the Conference Center at Mercer on June 25 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For more information about the MCSAS, contact the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage at (609) 278-2712 or email cultureandheritage@mercercounty.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 “Imagine-Observe” through May 4. An opening reception is on April 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lambertvillearts.com.

through May 5, “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 “Phillips’ Mill Photographic Exhibition” through April 18. 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.

Silverman Gallery of Bucks County Impressionist Art, 4920 York Road, Holicong, Pa., has “David Stier: Refuge” through May 4.

from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Mother/Daughter Paintings On View at Tipple & Rose

Sylvette de Aldrey Krause, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Jessie Krause, from Princeton — mother and daughter, respectively — are showing their paintings together at Tipple & Rose, 210 Nassau Street. A reception is this Thursday, April 17, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Sylvette began showing

Jessie studied art at Smith College and NYU. She used her painting skills to forge a career in scenic painting and design in New York City, eventually moving to Bucks County, Pa., where she opened Netherfield Gallery featuring her own paintings and those of other artists including her mother’s. Jessie now has a painting studio at the Princeton Makes artist cooperative in the Princeton

“GYPSY”: This pencil and oil on pastel on paper work by Sylvette de Aldrey Krause is on view in an exhibit also featuring paintings by her daughter, Jessie Krause, at Tipple & Rose. A reception is this Thursday, April 17, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. her work in Princeton in the mid-1960s with shows at the Nassau Club, Gallery 100, the Present Day Club, and other venues around the country. She studied painting at the Whitney School of Art and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain. Sylvette’s artwork was influenced by her Spanish heritage, using oils and pastels to create textures, strong lines, and rich earthen colors.

Princeton Makes is a cooperative comprised of 40 local artists who work across a range of artistic genres, including painting, drawing, stained glass, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, and jewelry. Customers will be able to support local artists by shopping for a wide variety of art, including large paintings, prints, custom-made greeting cards, stained glass lamps and window hangings, jewelry in a variety of designs and patterns, and more. For more information, visit princetonmakes.com.

Call for Art: Mercer

Senior Citizen Art Show

County Executive Dan Benson has invited seniors throughout Mercer County to submit artwork to the 2025 Mercer County Senior Citizen Art Show (MCSAS), to be held this summer.

A joint project of the County’s Division of Culture and Heritage and its Office on Aging, the show is open to all Mercer County residents 60 or older. The show will be on display from July 1 through August 4 at the Conference Center at Mercer — located on the campus of Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

“The annual Senior Art Show is a spectacular display of the creativity and talent of Mercer County residents,” said Benson. “I’m proud that we’re continuing this beloved event, and I can’t wait to stop by and see the artwork for myself.”

Applicants may submit one piece of art in any of the following 11 categories: acrylic, craft, digital art, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper. All submissions must be the original work created within the last three years and not previously entered in a Mercer County

Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, has “Metamorphosis,” “Precious Virtues,” and “Now and Then: Amazigh Resurgence” through May 3. Artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, has “Places I’ve Been, Faces I’ve Seen” and “Japan to Manhattan” through May 4. Gallery 14.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 “Mark Sfirri: The Flower Show”

Small World Coffee, 14 Witherspoon Street, has paintings by Rooma Sehar through May 6. Paintings by Alessandra Morabito are at the 254 Nassau Street location through May 6. 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.

Get the scoop from

“MOTHER”: This oil on canvas painting by Jessie Krause is on view in an exhibit also featuring works by her mother, Sylvette de Aldrey Krause, at Tipple & Rose. A reception is this Thursday, April 17,

APRIL

Town Topics | Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, April 16

8-9:30 a.m.: Business Before Business networking event held by the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber at The Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street. Princetonmercer.org.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens. Councilmember Leighton Newlin is available to discuss issues impacting Princeton with members of the public at DeAngelo Italian Market, 35 Spring Street.

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Princeton University Farmers’ Market , Firestone Library/ Chapel Plaza. Fresh produce and other goods from area farmers and businesses. Pumarket@princeton.edu.

7 p.m.: Chocolat is screened at the Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, as part of the “Keeping the Score” film series. Gardentheatre.org/score.

7 p.m.: Author Robert Garland discusses his new book What to Expect When You’re Dead with Carolyn Laferriere and Elizabeth Davis at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

Thursday, April 17

10 a.m.: Meeting of the 55-Plus Club of Princeton at The Jewish Center,

435 Nassau Street, and via Zoom. Marna Seltzer, director of Princeton University Concerts, will speak. Free ($5 donation suggested). Princeton55.org.

12-1 p.m.: Lunchtime Gallery Series : Roots and Blooms with Princeton University Art Museum, presented by docent Leslie Sullivan at 952 Alexander Road. Free-$10. Westwindsorarts.org.

5:30-7:30 p.m.: Downtown Princeton Gallery Crawl . Open houses at Art@ Bainbridge, the Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton Public Library, and Small World Coffee (Witherspoon Street location). Live music, food, drinks, art-making, and gallery activities. Free.

7 p.m.: Panel Discussion: Baldwin in New Jersey . Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, activist Darren “Freedom” Green, and musician Wise Intelligent reflect on James Baldwin’s legacy in Mercer County. At Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

7:30 p.m.: Twyla Tharp Anniversary Tour, at McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place. Mccarter.org.

7:30 p.m.: Maundy Thursday service at Princeton United Methodist Church, Nassau Street and Vandeventer Avenue. PrincetonUMC.org.

8 p.m.: Ti Jean and His Brothers by Derek Walcott, presented by Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts at the Wallace Theater in the Lewis complex. Free. Tickets required; visit tickets.princeton.edu.

8:30 p.m.: “Mesh,” dance works by Princeton University seniors Clara Toujas and Faith Wangermann at Hearst Dance Theater, Lewis Arts complex. Free. Arts.princeton.edu.

Friday, April 18

10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Spring French Market hosted by the Garden Club of Princeton, Mercer Island at the corner of Mercer and Nassau streets. Cut flowers, arrangements, fresh bouquets and spring plants. Proceeds go to the club’s civic projects.

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Good Friday Fish Fry at Mount Pisgah AMEC, 170 Witherspoon Street. Benefits sanctuary repair and renovation. $20. Dine in or takeout. Order on the day between 9 and 10:30 a.m. and pick up by 11 a.m. (609) 924-9017.

7:30 p.m.: Tenebrae service, “The Solemn Shadows” by Joseph M. Martin, directed by Hyosang Park, at Princeton United Methodist Church, Nassau Street at Vandeventer Avenue. PrincetonUMC.org.

8 p.m. George Lopez appears at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. $46-$140. Stnj.org.

8:30 p.m.: “Mesh,” dance works by Princeton University seniors Clara Toujas and Faith Wangermann at Hearst Dance Theater, Lewis Arts complex. Free. Arts.princeton.edu.

Saturday, April 19

9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.: Earth Day Cleanups held by Kingston Greenways Association. Morning session is for Laurel Avenue and the vicinity of Rockingham Historic site. Meet at Rockingham parking lot, 84 Laurel Avenue. Second event is to pick up trash in Mapleton Preserve and along Mapleton Road. Meet at Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road. Kingstongreenways.org.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Bunny Trail Spring Festival at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Treasure hunt, crafts, games, homemade food, wine, and live music by On the Fly. Tickets required; visit Terhuneorchards.com.

10 a.m.: Holy Saturday service at Princeton United Methodist Church, Nassau Street at Vandeventer Avenue. PrincetonUMC.org.

10 a.m.-12 p.m.: Land Stewardship Volunteer Session at Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, 57 Mountain Avenue.

Followed 1-3 p.m . by an April Nature Walk through the trails. Sponsored by Friends of Princeton Open Space. Fopos.org.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Henhouse Visits at Howell Living History Farm , 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township. Howellfarm.org.

4 p.m.: The Dryden Ensemble presents “Baroque Passion: Music for Holy Week” at Princeton Theological Seminary Chapel, 64 Mercer Street. Free (donations accepted). Drydenensemble.org.

8:30 p.m.: “Mesh,” dance works by Princeton University seniors Clara Toujas and Faith Wangermann at Hearst Dance Theater, Lewis Arts complex. Free. Arts.princeton.edu.

Sunday, April 20

6 a.m.: Sunrise service at Princeton United Methodist Church, Nassau Street at Vandeventer Avenue. Followed at 10 a.m. by Easter service. PrincetonUMC.org.

9:15 a.m.: Easter Egg Hunt at Princeton Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 407 Nassau Street. Free. Breakfast treats, crafts, hats to decorate, gift baskets for children, and more. Everyone is welcome. Princetonlutheranchurch.org.

9:30 a.m.: Easter Sunrise Service at Princeton Cemetery with the Nassau Street Presbyterian Church and the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, followed by breakfast at Witherspoon Church’s Fellowship Hall and the video premiere of Patricia Smith’s new Poem, “Loudly Linked to the Light,” inspired by Paul Robeson’s life. Part of Robeson Week. Paulrobesonhouseofprinceton.org.

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Bunny Trail Spring Festival at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Treasure hunt, crafts, games, homemade food, wine, and live music by Three to Get Ready with Bill Flemer. Tickets required; visit Terhuneorchards.com.

Monday, April 21

Recycling

1-3p.m.: The Women’s College Club of Princeton meets at Morven Museum Stockton Education Center, 55 Stockton Street. “Women in Baseball: The 24 Hours for Africa Baseball Game in 2003,” is presented by writer and researcher Cathy Kreyche. WCCPNJ.org.

7 p.m.: Author and journalist Julian Borger presents his memoir I Seek a Kind Person: My Father, Seven Children, and the Adverts that Helped Them Escape the Holocaust . At Princeton Public Library,

65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

7 p.m.: Filmmaker Whit Stillman comes to the Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, for a conversation following a screening of his film Damsels in Distress Princetongardentheatre.org.

Tuesday, April 22 9:30 and 11 a.m .: Read & Pick: Growing a Garden of Goodies, at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. For children; $12 includes a story and seeds to plant and take home. Terhuneorchards.com.

6:30 p.m.: Trashed Art Contest reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. Mcl.org.

7 p.m.: Earth Day Webinar sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action. With Rev. Robert Moore, Rev. Vernon Walker, Pa. Representative Chris Rabb, and Christiann Morssink of the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia. Peacecoalition.org.

Wednesday, April 23 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Leighton Listens. Councilmember Leighton Newlin is available to discuss issues impacting Princeton with members of the public at Palmer Square benches, across from Rojo’s Roasters. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Princeton University Farmers’ Market , Firestone Library/ Chapel Plaza. Fresh produce and other goods from area farmers and businesses. Pumarket@princeton.edu.

6 p.m.: The Board of Trustees of Princeton Public Library meets at the library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

6 p.m.: Author and biology professor Jaap de Roode discusses his book Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes and Other Animals Heal Themselves. At Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Princetonlibrary.org.

7 p.m.: Psycho is screened at the Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, as part of the “Keeping the Score” film series. Gardentheatre.org/score.

Thursday, April 24

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.

5:30 p.m.: Wine and Design: Sips and Make Your Own Planter Night, at Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road. Pam Mount and Reuwai Mount Hanewald lead the session over a flight of Terhune wine. $50 includes wine, plants, container, and materials. Terhuneorchards.com.

Princeton’s Historic Springdale Golf Club Celebrates Its Milestone 130th Anniversary

Princeton is unique in many ways.

A famous Revolutionary War battle was fought here, which many believe turned the tide of the war, and ultimately, of history.

Princeton served as the capital of the fledgling independent country when the Continental Congress met here for several months in 1783.

IT’S NEW To Us

One of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. is located in Princeton, and furthermore, the life of the mind is celebrated every day at the Institute for Advanced Study, once the site of Albert Einstein’s endeavors.

But that is not all!

Princeton is also home to one of the oldest golf clubs in the U.S., and one of the most highly regarded in New Jersey. Fittingly, the club is filled with its own history, in keeping with that of its surroundings.

Springdale Golf Club, originally known as Princeton Golf Club, was founded in 1895 by a group of townspeople and alumni, faculty, and undergraduates of Princeton University. Enthusiastic golfers all, with their early initiative, they set the “course” for what was to follow.

Momentous Day

A small group of investors formed the Springdale Association, and purchased 240 acres of the original Stockton farm, which was once owned by Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It later became the site of the Princeton University Graduate College and the current golf course.

It is also here that skirmishes of the Battle of Princeton took place on January 3, 1777. Golfers who are history buffs can reflect on that momentous day, particularly as they traverse the course between the fifth and sixth holes, where it is said that Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army forced British regiments to retreat.

Work began on a nine-hole course that opened for play in 1902. The property was then turned over to Princeton University in 1909. The original design of the course was created by Willie Dunn Jr., and then completed by Gerard B. Lambert.

A Princeton University alumnus, Lambert later joined his father’s Lambert Pharmaceutical Company, marketing the senior Lambert’s innovative new product, Listerine mouthwash.

The clubhouse was originally a tenant farmhouse, and Princeton University alumni, Class of 1886, purchased it, initially to be used for their class reunions and with the guarantee that they would be lifelong members of the club. It was then deeded to the University in 1903. The clubhouse was later moved to make way for construction of the Graduate College, and in 1922, the club’s name was changed to Springdale Golf Club.

Women Members

The club is set apart in many ways, but one in particular has been its accessibility to women. When many clubs were not receptive to ladies in the early days of golfing, Springdale opened its doors to them in 1898, as Todd Owen, the club’s current board of governors president, points out.

“Princeton was one of the first golf clubs in the country to establish an active women’s golf program, says Owen. “Its 21 inaugural women members in 1898 included former first lady Frances Folsom Cleveland, wife of President Grover Cleveland.”

The Clevelands settled in Princeton after the president’s second term in office ended, and both are buried in the Princeton Cemetery.

Springdale’s history continued to evolve when famous golf architect William Flynn was engaged to create an important redesign of the course in 1927.

“Golf was in the midst of a surge of popularity in the 1920s, with famous golfer Bobby Jones in the forefront,” reports Owen. “Flynn created a compact, challenging layout that continues to challenge golfers of all skill levels to this day.”

The club’s membership has continued to increase over the years, and now includes more than 400 members of all ages — men and women, from young adults to seniors.

“We have gotten a lot more younger people in the last 10 to 12 years,” says Owen. “We also have a flourishing children’s and junior program, with participants ranging in age from as young as 3 years old to teenagers.”

New Clubhouse

In 2007, as more members joined, and needs changed, Springdale built a new clubhouse, less than mile away from the original. Now locat ed at 1895 Clubhouse Drive, just off Alexander Road, it is an impressive, spacious facility, offering top quality amenities.

Handsome dining rooms, a bar, a paneled hall of cham pions, and an inviting patio overlooking the golf course and the famous Cleveland Tower are among the advan tages for members. Built in 1913, the gothic bell tower features a magnificent caril lon, which offers a bell concert on most Sunday afternoons.

Springdale has also now collaborated with Troon Privé, which provides man agement, marketing, and technology services under the guidance of the Spring dale Board of Governors.

“Troon brings us the ex pertise of professional man agement,” explains Owen.

Footprints and Legacy

Pagliari is a firm believer in Springdale’s special place in the golfing world.

“We are always aware of the footprints of our club and its legacy. We provide the best service we can for our members, and we always enjoy spending time with them. There are generational members here, including some well into their 90s. We all love this place!

“We also host Princeton University events, and are involved in community outreach. We want to grow the game, and introduce it to new golfers. Many of our members also have a variety of charitable engagement.”

A number of events are held for members, including special holiday celebrations, a Kentucky Derby party on the patio, Mother’s Day brunches, an upcoming Easter brunch, and more, points out Annie Walker, director of membership and communications.

“We also plan to have activities to mark our 130th anniversary during the year, including special events and membership appreciation,” Says Walker. “And we always have a variety of themed dinners, Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations and tournaments, and many other events.”

In addition to residents of the Princeton community and area, the club’s roster includes administration, faculty, and students of Princeton University, which has had a collaborative relationship with the club for more than a century.

Social Reasons

“Springdale is a very happy and welcoming place,” emphasizes Owen. “It’s not only the remarkable golf course, but it’s the people you play with, and being able to share their affection and passion for the game.

“Along with a strong core of locals, we have a number of non-resident members, who have moved but want

to retain their membership. We also have members who join specifically for social reasons — special events, dining opportunities, joining friends, etc. We have something for everyone!”

Of course, at its heart, Springdale is about golf. What it is, what it means, and why it matters to so many.

The challenge, the camaraderie, the scenic beauty of the course, the opportunity to be the best you can be — all are mentioned by a myriad of golfers.

Great Shots

Herewith, a sampling of why that front nine or back nine beckons over and over again:

“A couple of great shots in a round of golf can make your whole day, and keep you wanting to play more often. On the other hand, golf is a very humbling game. You can have a really wonderful round one day and a terrible round the next, but you want to keep going!”

And points out another regular, “I enjoy the personal challenge of golf as it is you against the course. it is a wonderful sport because you also play with people of any ability, and how they play doesn’t directly affect how you play. This is different from tennis or many other sports. Golf can also be a very social sport, as you can converse along the way, especially if you walk. And of course, there are a variety of different aspects you need to learn, such as driving, chipping, putting, and so on.”

Another viewpoint: “You can play the sport for a lifetime. You can compete against others or by yourself … in teams or individually. Topography, wind, temperature, and ground conditions create ever-changing challenges. Hitting the perfect shot is exhilarating, and the mental effort to keep a good round going through 18 holes is extraordinary.”

Superb Shape

So, what is it that makes Springdale so special?

GREAT GOLFING: This overview shows Springdale Golf Club’s 18-hole, 6,380 yard, par-71 course. Recently renovated, the course is located adjacent to Princeton University’s Graduate College, and is surrounded by a natural setting of exceptional beauty. In the foreground is the famous Cleveland Tower, named for President Grover Cleveland, who was also a Princeton University trustee and later a Princeton resident.

According to Owen, it is twofold. “We are set apart by two important things. One, we have a remarkable and historically important course design. It underwent substantial restoration recently, and the course is kept in superb shape. Also, we have a longtime perspective.

“Two, the course is not only a strategic challenge. It is both challenging and accessible. As you become a better player, it presents more challenges. And there is the aesthetic experience to savor: the history, the beautiful scenery, and the exercise. Ours is basically a walking course, but carts are available, if needed.

“On a personal note, I feel that golf is part athletic endeavor and part comedy. It is always entertaining. You never really know what will happen. There is always something new.

“Another thing that is so interesting about it is that every golf course is different. The puzzle we are being asked to solve will change from course to course.”

In addition to its outstanding 18-hole course, Springdale offers a state-of-theart practice area, including a full-length driving range, short game practice tee, and putting green. Springdale also serves as the home course for Princeton University’s men’s and women’s golf teams, who have their

own private clubhouse and practice facilities.

The club holds 26 tournaments during the year, and as Owen points out, “There are many forms of competition, tournaments, match play, etc. This is a big element of golf. There are so many ways of structuring competition.”

Expert Staff

Springdale has been the site of championship tournaments for the New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA), the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA), and the United States Golf Association (USGA), among others.

“We are further set apart by our expert staff,” observes Owen. “Andrew Gordon, PGA, is our head golf professional, and Jason Barry is our director of instruction. They are an outstanding part of Springdale’s success.”

As new members join, and the club’s history continues to evolve, there is an aura surrounding Springdale that is indeed special: The challenging course, the history, the natural beauty of the surroundings, and the opportunity to be the best you can be on any given day, as you hit that first drive.

Course hours are Tuesday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. To learn more, call (609) 9218790. Visit the website at springdalegolfclub.org.

—Jean Stratton

The Board of Governors, elected for three-year terms, oversees the club’s opera tion, Owen continues. “Our board members set the vi sion and objectives for the operation of the club. Gen eral Manager Anthony Pa gliari implements the vision and objectives.”

With the club for six years,

S ports

Benefiting From Her PU Hoops Experience, Chen Helped UConn Women Win NCAA Title

Kaitlyn Chen celebrat -

ed winning the NCAA Division I women’s national championship with two basketball families.

First, there was the University of Connecticut team that she helped capture a 12 th national title in program history with an 82-59 dismantling of South Carolina in the NCAA championship game on April 6 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Then, there was the Princeton University family – basketball players and coaches and friends who had been in school with her the previous four years before she used her graduate transfer year at UConn. They were also in Tampa, there to cheer on Chen.

“It meant so much to me, and it made winning and that moment just 10 times more special because those are the people who have sort of been on my journey with me for the past four years,” said Chen, a 5 ’ 9 native of San Marino, Calif., who piled up 1,276 points, 313 rebounds, and 359 assists at Princeton and was named the 2023 Ivy League Player of the Year. “Those are the people that I trust and love the most, and to have them there with me to experience that was incredible.”

Chen started the title game and played 17 minutes, had four assists — one off the team-high — to go

with two points, a rebound and no turnovers as UConn finished the season 37-3 and earned its record 12 th national crown. It’s a lasting memory from her final college season that will stick with her.

“Just how incredible it was to do it with my teammates and the group that we have,” said Chen. “And just because of how close we all are, and also seeing my friends and coaches and my Princeton teammates there. That was one of the best parts of that whole day.”

The championship came 30 years after Princeton head coach Carla Berube played on the first UConn team to win a national title in 1995 under legendary Huskies coach Geno Auriemma. Berube was invested in this year’s UConn title because of her connection to the program and to Chen.

“It was awesome,” said Berube. “I was able to watch some of her games throughout the year. And we were in touch a lot. And then to watch them en route to their 12th national championship and being down in Tampa, watching her live and being among my teammates, the UConn alums, which is just a huge really close-knit family, also among some of Kaitlyn’s Princeton teammates, some of my graduates here, it was amazing.”

Berube kept in touch with

Chen throughout this season. They talked often before and after UConn games, and there were also an active text chain between them and Princeton assistant coach Lauren Dillon.

“They were such a big part of my life for the past four years that I don’t think that just goes away like that,” said Chen. “I think I’m really lucky to have had them as my coaches at Princeton just because of how close our relationship is and, as expected, nothing changed when I moved a few hours away.”

Berube had given Chen advice on playing for Auriemma and at UConn as she narrowed her choices. Chen was sought by many of the country’s top programs, according to Berube, but she narrowed her choices to UConn and UCLA, another final four program that UConn knocked out in the national semifinals. UCLA was only about 30 miles from her hometown.

“I picked UConn because I thought it’d be the best fit for me and the school that would give me the best chance to potentially win a national championship,” said Chen, who is finishing her master’s degree in sports management at UConn. She was right.

The only real experience that Chen had with UConn was going against the Huskies. Chen scored 18 points

and had seven assists as a junior when Princeton lost 69-64 to Auriemma and the Huskies at UConn in December, 2022. There was mutual admiration.

“He didn’t forget that,” said Berube.

Chen, too, didn’t forget what it was like playing at Storrs, Conn. She had watched their success from afar, and now has an even greater appreciation for it after joining the program.

“Just to be able to be a part of everything, from just how historic the program is,” said Chen. “I remember coming into Gampel (Pavilion) when we first played. I’m looking up at all the championship banners and thinking it’s pretty amazing that we even get to play here. Also being able to play in front of our fans and have them actually cheer for you instead of against you is great because I think we have the best fans that care so much about our team and UConn women’s basketball specifically. They create such a fun high energy atmosphere to play in. That’s really hard to replicate probably anywhere else.”

The journey to the national title wasn’t easy.

“There was some point at the beginning where she said, ‘I didn’t know it was going to be this hard,’” said Berube. “And I said, ‘Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you.’ It’s just the level of perfection they ask. We have high standards here, but we don’t practice for three and a half hours like they can do there. And I told her it was going to be a challenge, but it’s going to be really rewarding in the end, and I think that’s certainly how it ended up.”

Chen could see subtle signs that Berube came from the Auriemma basketball tree. The two coaches say some of the same things and some of the drills were the same.

“‘Play hard, play smart, have fun’ is the big one that I know Coach Berube took from here,” said Chen. “I think they’re both just really great coaches, and I’m lucky to have been able to play for both of them.”

Chen had to make several adjustments at UConn. It began early. She was in Storrs two days after her graduation from Princeton to start working with the team.

“That was definitely weird at first, but my teammates are super, super welcoming,” said Chen. “And they did their job and whatever they could to help me fit in and make me feel at home. So I really appreciated that.”

Chen needed that reassurance from her new teammates after she had grown so comfortable with the Princeton staff and players. She couldn’t be sure what she was walking into starting over with a new team.

“Obviously you have concerns,” said Chen. “There are always thoughts in your head that you try not to let affect you, I guess just like fitting in, and I understood that it would be hard to get as close with them as my Princeton teammates, just because it’s just like four years of your life. That’s a lot of time you spend

Arena in Tampa, Fla. Former Princeton University women’s hoops star Chen, who played for UConn as a grad transfer, scored two points and had four assists in 17 minutes of action in the title game. Point guard Chen averaged 7.1 points and 3.2 assists per game this winter as the Huskies went 37-3 on their way to the

12th national championship.

getting to know someone. So I think just sort of knowing that in the back of my mind helped, not expecting it to be the same.”

Chen had confidence that she was capable of contributing, but also worried about just how much she would be able to contribute and in what sort of role she would be. She ended up starting all 36 games she played in, averaging 7.1 points per game, 3.2 assists per game and shooting 50 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the foul line. She came in willing to adjust from being the top scoring option for the Tigers to a new role for the Huskies who trotted out a starting lineup that also included such standouts as Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd , and Sarah Strong.

“It definitely took some time to be able to figure out how I would fit into our system just because it’s a whole new team and playing with people you’ve never played against or played with,” said Chen. “It definitely took me a little bit of time to get used to our style of play and just to figure out what exactly is my role and how can I best play my role or how can I play my role to the best of my ability.”

She still had some big games and plenty of big moments. She scored 15 points in UConn’s elite eight win over USC to go to the final four. Throughout the season, she continued her growth as a player in the new setting.

“Her role was to make the plays, be that point guard that’s facilitating the offense and putting her teammates in the best positions to score the basketball,” said Berube. “Also, I thought she defended really, really well. She was that first point of defense. She sometimes picked up full court. So I don’t think she was something other than what she was here; she just didn’t have to score as much. Kaitlyn came through

when they needed her to.”

Playing at UConn was another step toward playing at the next level. Chen is hopeful she will have a chance to continue her career in the WNBA. Last Monday, that desire became a reality as Chen was selected by the Golden State Valkyries as the fifth choice in the third round and 30th overall pick of the WNBA Draft.

“She can do a lot of everything,” said Berube. “I would hope GM’s and the European scouts too will see that she’s a three-level scorer. She can defend. She’s smart. She just plays really, really hard, has a really intense work ethic. And I think it translates well to the professional level. And she certainly can play on the big stage and never got rattled either. She’s really composed and confident and a really great leader and teammate.”

Chen had a lot of those qualities coming out of high school. But they weren’t yet to the point they are now, and she wasn’t the caliber of player then that could contribute and start for a national championship team at UConn. She developed over her Princeton career into the player that could help take the Huskies to the pinnacle of college basketball because of the opportunities, coaching, and teammates she had in the previous four seasons. It’s why it was perfect that she could celebrate the NCAA crown not just with her current UConn basketball family but her Tigers too.

“I don’t think I would be where I am now if it wasn’t for my time at Princeton,” said Chen. “I needed my time at Princeton to sort of grow and develop as both a player, physically and also mentally and in a maturity aspect. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my time at Princeton.”

—Justin Feil

NET GAIN: Kaitlyn Chen is all smiles as she cuts down a piece of the net after helping the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team defeat South Carolina 82-59 in the NCAA championship game on April 6 at the Amalie

program’s

(Photo provided courtesy of UConn Athletics)

Mueller Following in Family’s PU Athletic Tradition,

Becoming a Top Defensive Middie for Tiger Men’s Lax

Cooper Mueller continued a special family athletic tradition when he decided to join the Princeton University men’s lacrosse program.

His father, Kit Mueller, produced a legendary career for the Princeton men’s basketball program, scoring 1,546 points and getting named as the Ivy League Player of the Year in both 1990 and 1991.

In 2020, Mueller’s older sister, Ellie, came to Princeton and emerged as a star for the Tiger women’s lax team, tallying 28 goals and 18 assists with 77 draw controls in her career.

While Mueller’s dad and sister were hands off as he considered his college options, following in their footsteps was inevitable.

“When I was going through the recruiting process, my dad and sister stayed out of it,” said Mueller, a 6’3, 180-pound native of Villanova, Pa. “Once I made the decision, they were really happy. I think we all saw it coming. I grew up a Tiger. I was to going basketball games when I was two years old. It has been a part of the family. It is definitely a place I always thought of as home.”

Sophomore Mueller has found a home on the defensive midfield for the Tiger men’s lax team, excelling with his combination of athleticism and hustle.

Last Saturday, Mueller contributed one goal, four ground balls, and one caused turnover to help Princeton defeat Brown 17-6 as it improved to 9-2 overall and 3-1 Ivy League and clinched a spot in the upcoming Ivy postseason tournament in the process.

With Princeton trailing 2-1 midway through the first quarter, Mueller sprinted upfield in an unsettled situation and gathered in a pass

from senior attacker Coulter Mackesy and fired a shot into the back of the cage.

“I have been working on those transition opportunities, we have a lot of guys who can get up and out,” said Mueller. “We have definitely been working on that this week. Coulter got me this one. Generally I want to get out to one of those guys. I don’t think I am the No. 1 option shooting there.”

While Mueller’s main focus is defense, he has been working on contributing more at the offensive end.

“I have been trying to make that an emphasis,” said Mueller, who went scoreless last season. “We have the best wing shooters in the country. It opens it up on top for us sometimes. When they are getting covered, it kind of leaves us open in return.”

The Tiger defense did a good job covering the Bears, limiting them to one goal in the second and third quarter while building a 40-33 edge in ground balls.

“We have a lot of guys stepping up,” said Mueller, who has recorded 26 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers this season. “We have six, seven, eight really good d-middies that are able to step up. We have seven poles in the rotation with a lot of older guys getting some playing time. It is really going to mesh as they season us going on.”

Making 15 appearances last spring, Mueller gained some valuable experience and confidence.

“Being able get some time last year, I am stepping up into a little bigger role this year,” said Mueller. “It the best d-middie unit in the country in my opinion with guys like Michael Kelly, Liam Fairback and Jackson Green. Being around those great guys and all of the

seniors last year, the leadership and culture within our d-middie room is something that is really special.”

Like his father, Mueller has played for the Princeton men’s hoops program, getting into two games off the bench for the Tigers this winter

“It has been awesome to be a part of that team,” said Mueller. “It is working with both teams throughout the fall and into the winter. Once we go lacrosse, I am all in to the lacrosse team. Being able to practice with both teams and to be on the bench for a few of the basketball games has been really special.”

In Mueller’s view, his time on the hardcourt has helped him on the lacrosse field.

“I have always been a twosport guy,” added Mueller. “The defense translates a lot and just thinking about the game in a different way is something that has helped me too.”

In reflecting on the game with Brown, Princeton head coach Matt Madalon acknowledged that the Bears put the Tigers on their heels in the early going.

“Brown came out right off the bat and executed well,” said Madalon. “We had to adjust a little bit and I think we settled in.”

Mueller’s goal proved to be a spark as it started a 7-1 run for the Tigers.

“It was just nice to get going in different parts of the game, that was a nice transition goal by Cooper,” said Madalon. “We put so much on his plate in terms of clearing and in terms of face-off wins and in terms of covering top matchups. He is a really impressive young guy.”

The Tiger defense produced an impressive effort in stifling Brown.

“They shut it down, they protected Croddick (goalie Ryan Croddick) and let him get going a little bit,” said

MUELLER TIME: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Cooper Mueller helping to key the defense last Saturday as Princeton hosted Brown. Sophomore midfielder Mueller contributed one goal, four ground balls, and one caused turnover as the Tigers defeated Brown 17-6. Princeton, now 9-2 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, clinched a spot in the upcoming Ivy postseason tournament in the process. The Tigers play at Penn (4-8 overall, 1-4 Ivy) on April 19. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

Madalon. “It was a good effort by all of those guys.”

While the Tiger attack line of sophomore Nate Kabiri (4 goals, 3 assists), sophomore Colin Burns (3 goals, 3 assists), and Mackesy (2 goals, 2 assists) piled up the points, their effort all over the field made a difference.

“I don’t know where they ended up points with but some of the effort on ground balls and riding plays sparked our whole team,” said Madalon.

In the face-off X, junior Andrew McMeekin produced a gritty effort, going 12-for21 on face-offs and scooping up nine ground balls.

“That was another tough matchup, he was getting the ball squirted out but he made some great ground ball plays,” said Madalon. “He was really tough on the ground, he did a good job of clearing it. He did a nice job.”

With Princeton up 15-5 early in the fourth quarter, Madalon cleared the bench to give his reserves a good run and they responded. Freshman midfielder Jake Vana tallied his first career goal down the stretch while sophomore backup goalie Colin Vickrey recorded two saves.

“Any time you are in a position where you are lucky enough to get in some of your guys who work so hard throughout the week, it is extremely rewarding,” said Madalon. “It means you have handled your business and they have earned an opportunity to get out there. For us, as long as the standard doesn’t change, we are always happy to do it.”

As Princeton looks to raise its standard of play with the postseason around the corner, Madalon believes the performance against Brown was a step forward.

“We had a pretty good week of practice,” said Madalon, whose team plays at Penn (4-8 overall, 1-4 Ivy) on April 19. “We still have to tighten up the clear and we want to be a little better off the face-off X. We had some good execution in parts of the game where we are still working to get better. Being able to come out of halftime and keep the pedal to the metal and to keep executing, I think the guys did a good job. All in all, it was a good team effort, glad to get that W.”

Mueller, for his part, is confident that Princeton will keep improving its execution.

“We want to keep getting better every game,” said Mueller. “We played great today but there is definitely stuff to learn from every game, especially the last few. We are just taking it one game at a time getting better.”

—Bill Alden

No. 5 PU Women’s Lacrosse Tops

As 11-1 Tigers Tune Up For Penn, Brown Showdowns

Coming into its game against visiting Columbia last Saturday, the No. 5 Princeton University women’s lacrosse team was clicking on all cylinders.

The sizzling Tigers brought a 10-game winning streak into the contest, having started the week by topping No. 19 Stony Brook 19-13 last Wednesday.

But with a cold rain falling late in the afternoon at a chilly Class of 1952 Stadium, Princeton struggled to catch fire as it found itself in a 2-2 tie with a feisty Columbia squad heading into the second quarter.

Displaying the brilliant play at both ends of the field that has characterized its play this spring, the Tigers seized control of the game from there, outscoring the Lions 6-1 in the period to build an 8-3 halftime lead. Princeton never looked back as it rolled to a 17-6 win, improving to 11-1 overall and 4-0 Ivy League.

In the end, 11 different players tallied goals for the Tigers, led by a hat trick from Haven Dora with Sophie Whiteway, Kendall Dean, Nina Montes, and McKenzie Blake chipping in two apiece.

Junior defender Abigail Roberts, who joined the scoring parade with a third period goal, her first tally of the season, wasn’t surprised by the squad’s offensive balance.

“Today was just a day for everyone on the roster to feel good about themselves,” said Roberts in a postgame interview on ESPN+. “We have been working really

hard this season. We were hoping today that we could play for each other and we did just that. We have 10-11 goal scorers on the sheet today which means that everyone did their job. Everyone is feeling excited, that is exactly what we were looking for.”

The Tiger defense got the job done as well, holding the Lions scoreless for a span 17:48 from midway through the second quarter into the third.

“I wouldn’t say that our first 10 minutes were our strongest, but we are working on being consistent throughout the game,” said Roberts, who had one ground ball, one caused turnover, and six draw controls to help key the defensive effort.

“Consistency happens in some of the smaller moments. We didn’t have any huge plays today. It was just about everyone doing their part and just contributing to a big defensive unit success instead of any one single person putting the team on their back. That is what we have been looking for.”

Facing a big week, the Tigers will need some strong play to keep enjoying success as they gird for a pair of crucial Ivy clashes, playing at No. 18 Penn (6-5 overall, 2-2 Ivy) on April 16 and then hosting No. 17 Brown (10-3 overall, 4-1 Ivy) on April 19 when the program will be holding its annual Senior Day celebration.

—Bill Alden

host No. 17 Brown (10-3 overall, 4-1 Ivy) on April 19 as the program holds its annual Senior Day celebration.

ON THE BALL: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Meg Morrisroe, right, goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore attacker Morrisroe scored a goal to help Princeton defeat Columbia 17-6 and earn its 11th straight win. The No. 5 Tigers, now 11-1 overall and 4-0 Ivy League, play at No. 18 Penn (6-5 overall, 2-2 Ivy) on April 16 and then

(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PU Sports Roundup

Princeton Baseball Goes 1-1 at Harvard

Getting some excellent pitching, the Princeton University baseball team split a doubleheader at Harvard last Friday.

The Tigers won the opener 1-0 as Andrew D’Alessio went eight innings on the mound, striking out eight and giving up just six hits. In the nightcap, Jacob Faulkner pitched seven strong innings in a losing cause as Princeton got edged 3-2.

The Tigers, now 8-24 overall and 5-6 Ivy League, play at Rider on April 16 before hosting Brown for a three-game series with a doubleheader on April 19 and a single game in April 2.

Tiger Men’s Golf 1st

At Princeton Invitational

Reed Greyserman led the way as the Princeton University men’s golf team placed first in its annual Princeton Invitational last weekend at the Springdale Golf Club.

Freshman Greyserman carded a five-under 137 for the competition which was shortened to two rounds due to inclement winter,

In the team standings, Princeton posted a score of 566 (-2) to finish 13 strokes better than second-place Rutgers, who shot 579 (+11).

The Tigers are next in action when they compete in the Ivy League Championships from April 25-27 at the Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pa.

PU Women’s Water Polo Defeats Bucknell 14-8

Kayla Yelensky led the way as the No. 10 Princeton University women’s water polo team defeated Bucknell 14-8 last Saturday in Lewisburg, Pa.

Senior star Yelensky tallied four goals as the Tigers moved to 19-6 overall and 10-2 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA).

Princeton, which clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming CWPA with the win, hosts Wagner in its regular season finale on April 16.

PU Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Harvard Sparked by Nyherowo Omene, the No. 19 Princeton University men’s volleyball team defeated Harvard 3-2 on Saturday to complete a sweep of a two-game series with the Crimson last weekend.

Senior star Omene contributed 25 kills along with two aces and five digs to help the Tigers prevail 23-25, 26-24, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13. Princeton topped Harvard 3-0 (2523, 31-29, 25-18) on Friday to start the series.

The Tigers, now 13-9 overall and 9-1 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA), play a two-game set at Penn State on April 18 and 19.

Princeton Men’s Tennis Falls 4-0 to Columbia Wrapping up a rough weekend, the Princeton University men’s tennis lost 4-0 to Columbia last Sunday.

The Tigers, who lost 5-2 to Cornell on Friday, are now 19-8 overall and 3-2 Ivy League. Princeton wraps up regular season action by

playing at Yale on April 19 before hosting Brown a day later.

PU Women’s Tennis

Loses to Columbia

Bella Chhiv starred in a losing cause as the Princeton University women’s tennis team fell 4-2 to Columbia last Sunday.

Sophomore Chhiv helped the Tigers win the doubles point and also posted a straight-set win at second singles.

Princeton, now 8-11 overall and 1-4 Ivy League, hosts Yale on April 19 before playing at Brown on April 20 in its last regular season weekend.

Tiger Open Crew

Tops Harvard, Cornell

Producing a solid effort, the Princeton University women’s open crew varsity 8 defeated Harvard-Radcliffe and Cornell last Saturday in the race for the Class of 1975 Cup.

No. 4 Princeton covered the 2,000-meter course on Lake Cayuga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in a time of 6:18.672 with HarvardRadcliffe coming second at 6:25.242 Cornell placing third in 6:40.763.

The Tigers host Yale on April 19 in the race for the Eisenberg Cup.

PU Men’s Heavyweights Retain Childs Cup

Securing the Childs Cup for 13th consecutive season, the Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity 8 defeated Penn and Columbia last Saturday in Overpeck Park in Leonia.

No. 5 Princeton posted a time of 6:11.2 followed by 10th-ranked Penn (6:14.5) and No. 16 Columbia (6:32.5).

The Childs Cup, the oldest

When conflicttakes over,youdonthaveto fight alone.

John A Hartmann, III Chairman

trophy in collegiate sport, is presented by George M. Childs and rowed for annually by the Tigers, Quakers and Lions. Princeton now leads the all-time series, which began in 1879, with 54 victories to Penn’s 44 and Columbia’s 12.

In upcoming action, the Tigers host No. 4 Harvard on April 19 with the Compton Cup on the line.

Tiger Men’s Lightweights Fall to Cornell

Getting outclassed in the race for the Platt Cup, the No. 3 Princeton University men’s lightweight varsity 8 crew fell to No. 4 Cornell last Saturday in Ithaca, N.Y.

The Big Red posted a winning time of 5:51.8 over the 2,000-meter course with Princeton coming in at 6:00.8.

Princeton will head to Philadelphia, Pa. on April 19 to face Penn in the race for the Wood-Hammond Trophy.

PU Women’s Lightweights Cruise Past Stanford

Undeterred by pelting rain and high winds whipping across Lake Carnegie last Saturday morning, the Princeton University women’s lightweight varsity 8 defeated Stanford in the race for the Class of 2015 Cup.

The Tiger top boat posted a winning time of 7:27.8 over the 2,000-meter course with Stanford coming in at 7:41.8.

Princeton hosts Georgetown on April 26 in the race for the Class of 2006 Cup.

Tiger Track Athletes Shine at Texas A&M Event

A number of Princeton University track athletes produced superb performances as the Tigers

fires a pitch in recent action. Last Sunday, sophomore Shaw went the distance in the circle with four strikeouts as Princeton defeated Cornell 12-2 in five innings to sweep a doubleheader after winning the opener 7-2. On Monday, Shaw pitched a scoreless inning in relief as the Tigers defeated the Big Red 8-0 to complete a sweep of the three-game series. Princeton, now 17-13 overall and 11-1 Ivy League, hosts Columbia for a three-game set with a single game on April 19 and a doubleheader on April 19.

Brown tied for second with 8-4 league records. (Photo by

competed last weekend in the 44 Farms Team Invite in College Station, Texas.

On the women’s side, Georgina Scoot placed second in both the long jump (20’2.5) and triple jump (43’9.75). Shea Greene had a best throw of 177’ 11” in the javelin to take third. Tessa Mudd set an Ivy League record in the pole vault with a best mark of 14’4.5 as she placed seventh in the Invite division.

Lydia Fabbro-Keephart Partner

As for the Princeton men, Nick Molloy took second in the pole with a best leap of 16’10.75. Casey Helm placed second in the discus with a mark of 196’11 while Joe Licata in the shot put with a best throw of 62’1.75

The Tigers will be competing in the Wake Forest Invitational in Winston Salem, N.C. and the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Va., from April 18-19.

Jennifer Haythorn Partner

Maryanne Kannampuzha

Michelle Thompson

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Princeton University softball player Cassidy Shaw

The Tigers are currently in first place in the Ivy standings with Dartmouth and

Frank Wojciechowski)

Battling Hard in Early Season Loss to WW/P-South,

PHS Boys’ Tennis Shows it Can Compete at High Level

In the South contest, junior Aashil Patel played at third singles.

PDS Boys’ Tennis Featuring a Young Lineup, Looking to Gain Experience in CVC Tourney

You have got the righty/lefty combination with them.”

Although the Princeton High boys’ tennis team suffered a 4-1 loss to powerhouse WW/P-South its second match this season, Sarah Hibbert saw reason for optimism.

PHS junior star Gar rett Mathewson posted a straight-set win at first singles in the April 8 match while junior Andrew Kuo forced a match tiebreaker at second singles and the sec ond doubles pair of senior Matt Chen and sophomore Emil Kapur lost in two hard-

“Garrett played really well, that was great for him; Andrew had a very good showing as well,” said PHS head coach Hibbert in as sessing the April 8 match. “There were pieces of the other matches that were really strong in addition. Second doubles was very close. Even the matches that were lopsided on the scoreboard weren’t lopsid ed on the court. They are ranked as the No. 1 team in the state at the moment, so if we are able to be com petitive with them it shows that we have the potential to compete with anyone.

We just have to get a little more experience.”

Lefty standout Mathewson can compete with anyone, benefiting from a year of experience in the first singles spot.

“Garrett had a great sea son there last year as well, he is one of the top players in the county,” said Hibbert. “He is continuing that solid level of play against the big teams. The other day it was really the serve was help ing him out a lot, giving him some good free points. His pace and placement was impressive.”

At second singles, Kuo brings some impressive con

“Andrew is a very steady player, he always plays re ally long matches,” said Hib bert. “He had a great show ing against the player from South (Shritan Gopu) who I believe is a 9 UTR (Universal Tennis Rating). Andrew re ally held his own — he was just a couple of points away from pulling off a win. He can move the ball around well. He is very steady and willing to play long rallies. He does have good pace on the ball as well.”

FIRST

“He was coming back from an injury in that match,” said Hibbert. “He has improved a lot, he has worked really hard on his game. He has put a lot of time in.”

The first doubles pair of senior Shaan Zaveri and sophomore Tacto Yamada has shown improvement after playing together at second doubles in 2024.

Youth is being served this spring for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team.

PDS is featuring a freshman and a sophomore in its singles lineup with a pair of freshmen having seen action at doubles.

Freshman Faizan Mohammad, junior Archie Douglas, and freshman Michael Zhou have seen time at second doubles so far this spring.

TAKE: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Garrett Mathewson hits a groundstroke in a match last season. Junior Mathew son has starred at first singles as PHS has gotten off to a 1-1 start this spring. In upcoming action, the Tigers host Hight stown on April 17 before competing in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament on April 21 and 23 at the Mercer County Tennis Center.

“They were a really solid team for us at second last year, I feel with the year of experience they would really jell into a solid first team for us,” said Hibbert. “They know how to work together and communicate. Doubles is one of those tricky things where one player can be on and the other can be off. People have good days and bad days and you have to be able to work through it with your partner. Style-wise I think they do work together well. Shaan has a good serve and Tacto has great hands at net.”

At second doubles, Chen and Kapur have come together nicely in the early going.

“Emil was our alternate player last year, it was a natural progression and they have started their season playing really well,” said Hibbert. “They had a couple of close challenge matches with Shaan an Tacto. They look to be a solid team. They both move very well around the court. Emil gets a lot of balls back and Matt has really worked hard on his game this year as a senior.”

With the Tigers competing in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament on April 21 and 23 at the Mercer County Tennis Center, Hibbert believes her squad will be up for the challenge as it faces a tough field.

While the squad may lack experience, Panther head coach Michael Augsberger believes it has plenty of quality.

“It is a super deep team,” said Augsberger, whose team defeated Hun 4-1 last Monday in moving to 2-2. “It has been tough to differentiate between the guys, everyone from one through four is basically very similar in skills and everyone from five through 11 is very close as well.”

Freshman Bryan Kim Short is bringing plenty of skill at first singles.

“Bryan has excellent hands, excellent technique and his footwork is strong,” said Augsberger. “He is clearly very focused on tennis. He has come from London, where he has been living for a while. He has got the soccer background as well which helps with his footwork and gives him a better understanding of spacing, Since he has come over he has gotten right back up in the USTA and built up a big LTA rating.”

“South will obviously be an obstacle, WW/P-North has a lot of strong players, Hightstown is tough this year, and Robbinsville has some top players,” said Hibbert, whose team will be hosting Hightstown on April 17. “Seeding can make a huge difference for placement and how matches fall out. Hopefully we will be able to put our best foot forward in the tournament and play our best tennis when it counts.”

—Bill Alden

“Abhishek has made a bit of a leap since last year,” said Augsberger. “He is playing probably the most improved tennis player out of the singles guys. He has grown a little bit, he has got a little bit more power. He is a little bit more consistent than he was last year.”

PDS does boast experience at third singles with senior Jaylen Peng.

“It is great to have him at third — he doesn’t play third singles tennis where guys are trying to be consistent with finesse,” said Augsberger of Peng. “That is not Jaylen — Jaylen is power. It is nice to have him at third as long as he is able to not get sidetracked by guys who just want to keep the ball in play, which is difficult in itself. He wants to get the point over with and that can frustrate you. If he is able to rise above that, he can be really successful there.”

At first doubles, juniors Avi Saran and junior Jacobo Garcia-Carillo are poised for a successful season.

“They have the most experience of the doubles guys,” said Augsberger. “They have chemistry in terms of their competitiveness. Avi is like the Formula 1 driver who likes to go fast, he is very confident. I think that pairs well with Jacobo’s fiery competitiveness. He is Spanish and has that fiery, passionate attitude. He puts his whole body on the line. He runs into fences, he dives on the court.

PDS suffered a big setback when senior Steven Li, who had won the No. 2 singles spot, was injured in the opening match against WW/P-North on April 1 and will be sidelined for the rest of the spring. Sophomore and consistent baseliner Abhishek Srinivasan has moved up to that spot in Li’s absence.

“Faizan has incredible athleticism; his hands are very good and his volleys are incredibly strong,” said Augsberger, whose team has a match at WW/P-South on April 17 before competing in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament on April 21 and 23 at the Mercer County Tennis Center.

“I have seen him play some touch shots that really impressed me. When you talk about doubles, that is what you are talking about. Even if he is inexperienced and a freshman, we really see his potential there. Archie was here as a freshman and we earmarked him as someone with great potential and then he spent a year in London so we missed him last year. He has come back improved. Michael is a freshman and we are really impressed with him so he could also be a part of that mix.”

As PDS looks forward to the CVC tourney, Augsberger sees that as a chance for his young squad to gain some valuable experience.

“I thought we would be big-time competitors at the CVC,” said Augsberger. “I think our depth is very strong so that hasn’t changed but what I have seen so far in our first couple of matches is that the injury (to Li) puts a damper on things because everybody has to move up a spot. The other thing that I see is the inexperience, it is going to be tough.”

—Bill Alden

The Search for the Most Distant Galaxies

MARCIA J. RIEKE

DeLue Stars in 4-1 Win Over Lawrenceville

After pitching just 12 innings for the Hun School baseball team last year, Asher DeLue focused on pumping iron over the offseason in an effort to make a greater impact on the mound this spring.

“I was looking at a few other schools but BC just really stood out for me,”said DeLue. “I was there on a visit and I loved the place. I love the coaches too, they are great people. It just felt like a really good fit.”

“It was definitely putting in a lot of work in the weight room,” said junior DeLue. “Team lifts with the guys were great, we do that all winter. Playing club was great but the biggest thing was getting into the weight room and getting stronger.”

Getting off to a strong start this season, 6’4, 215-pound lefty DeLue has developed into an ace on the Hun mound staff. In his first outing, DeLue went three innings to get the win as Hun defeated Lawrenceville 114, getting nine strikeouts and giving up just two hits,

Last Thursday in a rematch with the Big Red, DeLue produced a superb effort in a 4-1 victory, going five innings with eight strikeouts to get the win on the mound.

“It was just go back and attack — last time I went out there and was throwing first pitch strikes,” said DeLue. “That was my main focus today, get ahead in counts. I was throwing fastballs away, just getting the pitch setup for my offspeed.”

In the bottom of the fourth inning with game tied at 1-1, DeLue had to pitch out of a jam as Lawrenceville got two singles and had runners on second and third with two outs. DeLue got a strikeout to retire the Big Red without a run coming across in the frame.

“That was big, the main focus is I have got to get this guy,” recalled DeLue.“It was a big moment, this either makes or breaks the outing, makes or breaks the game. It was pretty important there. I just focused in on that hitter to get him.”

DeLue is excited to take a bigger role. “I owe it to the team to help us out as much as possible,” said DeLue, who now has a 2.10 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 10 innings.

Looking ahead, DeLue will be joining a new team in a couple of years as he committed to attend Boston College and play for its baseball program.

Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto was expecting a great fight in the rematch with the Big Red.

“The second time we play them, it is always a battle,” said Monfiletto.

The rivals were knotted 1-1 heading into the fifth until John Rossman blasted a homer over the 390 sign in center field to lead off the inning and the Raiders added two more runs in the frame.

After DeLue left the game, Will Sassman retired Lawrenceville in order in the sixth and Kerrick Shannon followed suit in the seventh.

“Their pitcher (Chris Trucano) is outstanding. I love watching him pitch and I have a ton of respect for him,” said Monfiletto. “I was really happy with the way that our guys pitched as well. I thought Asher was excellent, this was probably his best outing of the year. Will was excellent and then Kerrick looked great.”

Monfiletto credited DeLue with consistently giving the Raiders excellent work on the mound this spring.

“We have always seen how great he can be,” said Monfiletto. “He has put in an unbelievable amount of work from last year to this year. He is a completely new pitcher. He has gotten better literally every single outing. We wanted to keep him around 70 pitches and I think he finished around there. To get through five innings with that is all we could ask for.”

Rossman’s homer gave Hun a great spark. “That was huge, he just missed the last couple,” said Monfiletto. “I could tell that his timing was great. I could tell that he was due for something big. I didn’t think it was going to be a home run. John is pound for pound the strongest player on our team. It was nice to see the ball leave the yard there.”

Senior shortstop and Pepperdine commit Will Kraemer starred with his bat and glove against Lawrenceville,

going 2 for 3 with a run and making some sparkling plays in the field.

“Will has been outstanding, he has been our rock, he really has,” said Monfiletto of Kraemer, who is batting .458 with nine runs and six RBIs. “It has been such a blessing to have him at shortstop and in the front of our order. He is the catalyst. He is a breath of fresh air for everybody which is awesome. He is like the heart and soul of the team.”

In the win over the Big Red, junior standout TJ Francis proved to be another catalyst, going 2 for 3 with two runs.

“TJ has always been a spark plug,” said Monfiletto of Francis, who is now hitting .375 with eight runs and four RBIs. “Having him in the cleanup spot is unique because he can steal two bases every single time that he is on the bases but he is also a pretty disciplined hitter. He has been driving in a lot of runs for us and is very dangerous at the plate too. He is very versatile.”

While Monfiletto is happy with how the Raiders have started this spring, he knows there is plenty of room for growth.

“I will say that we have a lot of work to do,” said Monfiletto, whose team fell 8-2 to Christian Brothers Academy last Monday in moving to 6-2 and plays at Pennington on April 17 and has a doubleheader at Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on April 19. “The record is nice but we also evaluate every game on how well we play and how well we execute what we prepare for during the practice. Today was OK in terms of execution. When you have a pitcher who throws like Chris threw today, it is hard to get baserunners. I am happy that we have started strong. We have a really tough slate next week and then the schedule is only going to get harder so it will be fun.”

DeLue, for his part, is having fun getting more work on the mound.

“We are young but there are definitely a lot of guys out there who really want it,” said DeLue. “It is great to be out there with a group of guys who want it as bad as you do.”

—Bill Alden

BRINGING THE HEAT: Hun School pitcher Asher DeLue fires a pitch in a 2024 game. Last Thursday, junior DeLue produced a superb effort in a 4-1 victory over Lawrenceville, going five innings with eight strikeouts to get the win on the mound. The Raiders, who fell 8-2 to Christian Brothers Academy last Monday in moving to 6-2, play at Pennington on April 17 and have a doubleheader at the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on April 19. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

Sparked by Chirik’s Athletic Versatility, Hustle, Stuart Lacrosse Poised to Get on Winning Track

There is no down time for Abby Chirik when it comes to her athletic pursuits.

Chirik is a three-sport star at Stuart Country Day School, competing for its field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse teams. In her spare time, she plays club soccer year-round.

“I like to be busy, I like to play a sport every season,” said junior Chirik. “I like to just get involved and to get to know everyone in school itself. I also play club soccer on the side. I like having a change every season.

Last Wednesday, as the Stuart lacrosse team trailed Robbinsville 10-1 in the third quarter, Chirik got busy in the crease, slotting in a rebound for a goal.

“I was in front of the goal and the ball was on the ground, so I just picked it up and shot it,” said Chirik, reflecting on her tally.

While the Tartans ended up losing 16-3 to the Ravens in dropping to 0-3, Chirik liked the way the squad kept scrapping to the final whistle.

“We just had to keep our heads up because we were down; we just had to take it slow and go one at a time,” said Chirik. “We talked about trying to keep possession. We didn’t want to force passes because every possession matters especially when we didn’t have as many possessions. We wanted to make sure that we kept it and worked the ball around and

all did well, we hustled to the end.”

With her experience playing for three Stuart programs, Chirik is taking on a leadership role this spring.

“As a freshman, I started playing mid,” said Chirik, who has tallied two goals and one assist so far this season.

“I was just like kind of getting into it but now as a junior, I started to step into a leadership role and try to help the underclassmen out. We get a lot of girls every year who are new to the game. As upperclassmen, we are trying to help them get adjusted and be a team like all together.”

Playing with the Lee sisters, senior star Allison and sophomore standout Lauren, has helped Chirik hone her lax skills.

“It is pretty fun, they are really team players,” said Chirik. “They make sure to include everyone and talk to everyone about what they need to do and what we need to do as a team. They are really helpful to tell us what we need to be doing. They know the game really well. They are able to talk to us and tell us, ‘try to do this or to do that.’”

Stuart head coach Paige Meszaros has had fun watching Chirik’s impact on the game.

“Abby is one of those players that is everywhere you need her to be,” said Meszaros. “She jumps in anywhere you need her. She is

a day, she will go from here to soccer. She has helped us tremendously.”

The Lee sisters have been a big help for the Tartans as Allison has tallied 16 goals this season while Lauren has chipped in four goals and one assist.

“Allison is always somebody we can count on,” said Meszaros.

“Both Allison and Lauren are really great with how they work together. They always jump in and say some things, they do a great job with that.”

With Stuart falling behind 10-1 by halftime, Meszaros credited her players with not getting discouraged by the deficit.

“It was just going out with some intensity and not giving up and keeping our heads held high,” said Meszaros. “They did a good job.”

The Tartans got some intense play against Robbinsville from sophomore Betsy Murphy and freshman goalie Georgia Spirko-Noto.

“Betsy jumped into midfield for us today, she is usually an attacker,” said Meszaros. “She has stepped it up from last year. She is sprinting everywhere, she is hustling the entire time. It is good to see. Georgia has been really helpful for us this year. We love having her back there. She is doing a good job, especially with it being her first year playing goal.”

With the Tartans having lost a pair of one-goal decisions to start the season (1110 to WW/P-North on April 2 and 12-11 to Hamilton West on April 4), Meszaros believes her squad is poised for a breakthrough.

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“They are learning things from each previous game, they have good takeaways from it,” said Meszaros, whose team hosts Princeton Day School on April 17 and Pope

John on April 22. “The new girls all play different sports which is helping translating into lacrosse. It is good to be be able to have them, they already have that intensity.”

Chirik, for her part, is confident that Stuart will apply those lessons to start coming up with some wins.

“We have had close games,” said Chirik, “We are getting there, we are working together as a team well. We are working on putting it together to the end. I think it is coming in the next few games.”

—Bill Alden

12:30–2 pm: Luncheon honoring Shirley Satterfield, catered by Chef Margo Carner of Fridge2Table

2:30–4 pm: “The Power of Storytelling in History, Identity, and Advocacy,” featuring documentarian Purcell Carson and historian Mélena Laudig

5 –6:30 pm: Prathia Hall Lecture, presented by Dr. Danielle McGuire.

ABBY ROAD: Stuart Country Day School lacrosse player Abby Chirik, center, sprints upfield last

Wednesday as Stuart hosted Robbinsville. Junior midfielder Chirik scored a goal in a losing cause as the Tartans fell 16-3 to the Ravens. Stuart, now 0-3, hosts Princeton Day School on April 17 and Pope John on April 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Hun

Softball : Sparked by Sam Jolly, Hun defeated the Hill School (Pa.) 11-1 last Wednesday. Junior star and leadoff hitter Jolly went 2 for 2 with three runs and two RBIs as the Raiders improved to 4-0. Hun plays at Hopewell Valley on April 17, at Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on April 19 for a doubleheader, and at Hightstown on April 22.

Boys’ Lacrosse : Unable to overcome a 10-2 halftime deficit, Hun lost 15-6 at Shawnee High last Saturday. The Raiders, who dropped to 0-6 with the defeat, play at the Peddie School on April 17 and then host Springside Chestnut Hill (Pa.) on April 19.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Still looking for its first win this spring, Hun fell 15-6 to the Pennington School last Monday. The Raiders, who moved to 0-7 with the setback, host the Hill School (Pa.) on April 16 before playing at Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on April 19.

Lawrenceville

Baseball : Chris Trucano starred in a losing cause as Lawrenceville fell 11-5 to the Pennington School last Monday. Trucano went 1 for 3 with one run and two RBIs as the Big Red moved to 2-5. Lawrenceville hosts

Hill School (Pa.) on April 16 before playing at Friends Central (Pa.) on April 17.

Boys’ Lacrosse : Producing a big offensive performance, Lawrenceville defeated the Hotchkiss School (Conn.) 20-3 last Saturday. The Big Red, now 8-2, host St. Ignatius College Preparatory (Calif.) on April 17 before playing at the Salisbury School (Conn.) on April 19.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Sparked by Lexie Koch, Lawrenceville defeated the Peddie School 16-5 last Monday. Koch scored five goals as the Big Red improved to 7-2. Lawrenceville hosts Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn,) on April 16 and Allentown High on April 17.

PDS

Baseball : Santino Cignarella went 3 for 5 with two runs but it wasn’t enough as PDS fell 5-4 to Steinert last Monday. The Panthers, now 0-8, host Allentown on April 16, Bound Brook on April 19, and Ewing on April 21.

Boys’ Lacrosse: Zach Meseroll triggered the offense as PDS defeated Hightstown 15-4 last Thursday to earn its first win of the season. Senior Meseroll tallied three goals and four assists to help the Panthers improve to 1-3. PDS plays at Princeton High on April 17 before hosting Allentown on April 22.

Girls’ Lacrosse : Despite a big game from Ava Fairbanks, PDS fell 14-9 to Hopewell Valley last

Monday. Sophomore star Fairbanks tallied three goals and one assist as the Panthers moved to 0-4. PDS plays at Stuart Country Day on April 17 before hosting Allentown on April 21.

Gumbinger carded a threeunder 32 in the nine-hole match at the Cranbury Golf Course for the Tigers, who improved to 7-0. PHS has a match against Princeton Day School on April 22 at the Bedens Brook Country Club.

Pennington PHS

Baseball : Chase Hamerschlag starred as PHS defeated Ewing 5-4 last Monday. Junior Hamerschlag got the win on the mound, striking out 12 and giving up one run in six innings while also scoring three runs as the Tigers improved to 4-3. PHS hosts Delaware Valley on April 16, Trenton on April 17, and Nottingham on April 21 before playing at Hopewell Valley in April 22.

Softball : Natalie Hester went 1 for 3 with one run as PHS lost 13-1 to Nottingham last Wednesday. The Tigers, who dropped to 0-2 with the loss, play at Lawrence on April 17, host Monroe on April 21, and play at Somerville on April 22.

Boys’ Lacrosse : Sparked by a superb performance from Brendan Beatty, PHS defeated Northern Highlands 7-4 last Saturday. Senior midfielder and University of Vermont commit Beatty tallied three goals and one assist as the Tigers posted their fourth straight win and improved to 4-2. PHS hosts Princeton Day School on April 17 and Montgomery on April 19.

Boys’ Golf : Walter Gumbinger led the way as PHS defeated Notre Dame 146-166 last Wednesday.

Baseball : Sparked by Joe Lifsted, Pennington defeated Lawrenceville 11-5 last Monday. Lifsted went 3 for 4 with a homer, two runs, and three RBIs as the Red Hawks moved to 10-0. Pennington plays at the Blair Academy on April 16 before hosting the Hun School on April 17 and the Peddie School in April 22.

Boys’ Lacrosse: Finn Garner had a big game in a losing cause as Pennington fell 9-8 to Pennsbury High (Pa.) last Monday. Garner tallied one

goal and six assists as the Red Hawks moved to 4-4. Pennington plays at Lawrenceville B on April 17 and at Hillsborough High on April 22

Girls’ Lacrosse: Sara Surtz and Evie Argiropoulos each scored three goals as Pennington defeated the Hun School 15-6 last Monday. The Red Hawks, who moved to 2-3 with the win, play at Lawrence High on April 17 and the Peddie School on April 22.

Local Sports

Princeton Post 218 Baseball Holding Player Evaluations

The Princeton American Legion Post 218 baseball team is holding player evaluation/workouts at Smoyer Park in Princeton on April 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and on April 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The program is open to all interested high school players from Princeton High, Princeton Day School, Hun School, WW/P-South High, WW/P-North High, and Notre Dame High, or any players who live in the towns of Princeton and Cranbury to attend these two sessions. In addition, college aged freshman born in 2006 are also be eligible to play.

The Mercer County American Legion League (MCALL) season runs from late May through mid-July and involves playing approximately 20 games with teams from around the Greater Mercer County Area. The competition level is high and all players will receive adequate playing time to develop their game.

The summer fee is $645. Scholarships are available. For more information on the program and to RSVP for the tryouts, contact Jon Durbin at jonwdurbin@ gmail.com.

GOING TO GOAL: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Quinn Gallagher heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, junior star Gallagher scored three goals to help PHS defeat the Hun School 14-5. In upcoming action, the Tigers, now 4-2, host WW/P-North in April 16, play at Hightstown on April 17, and then host Lawrence High on April 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Obituaries

George Britton Somers Jr. tor in Middlesex County. He spoke four languages including Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. He was an active member of St. Paul’s Church and enjoyed playing squash and traveling.

George Britton Somers Jr., 72, passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 9, 2025, following a very serious illness. He was born in Washington, DC, and grew up and settled in Princeton, NJ.

George was a graduate of Georgetown University with a BS in Portuguese and a MS in Linguistics. He obtained his JD at Seton Hall University. He was an Attorney since 1983 in private practice in Princeton, NJ, handling primarily defense cases. George was formerly a Deputy Attorney General and an Assistant Prosecu -

Predeceased by his parents George Britton and Elizabeth Deborah (DiMeglio) Somers; he is survived by his wife of 22 years Hyesook (Lee) Somers; and children Melissa “Missy” Somers, John Somers, and Jeb Somers.

Arrangements are under the direction of MatherHodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

Franklin D. Moore

Franklin D. Moore, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the age of 79 surrounded by his loved ones. Born on May 13, 1945, in Atlantic City, NJ, and a Plainsboro area resident since 1975, Franklin’s life was one characterized by dedication, passion, and love.

Franklin’s legacy begins with his cherished family. He is survived by his loving wife, Wardell RobinsonMoore; his devoted sons, Franklin R. Moore and his wife Ally, and Joseph R. Moore and his wife Danielle; and his adored grandchildren, Mason, Mya, Kenzie, and Breland. He also leaves behind his caring sisters, Althea LaDrene Greer and Gloria Jean Barlow, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will miss him deeply. He was predeceased by his parents, Dally and Estella Moore, who instilled in him the values of love and service he carried throughout his life.

of the George Faison Firehouse Theatre in Harlem. His interests painted the portrait of a man passionate about life. Franklin’s appreciation for sports cars, especially Corvettes, was well-known. He relished the tranquility of fishing and the camaraderie of playing and coaching basketball. His love for basketball was sparked by playing on Middle Township High School’s basketball team, which, in turn, led him to play for Cheyney University (then Cheyney State). Watching his sons on the basketball court and his son Joe’s lacrosse games were among his greatest joys. His passion for helping people was unmatched. Above all, he cherished the time spent with his family, delighting in the growth of his grandchildren in recent years.

Franklin’s professional endeavors were as impactful as his personal relationships. After serving in the Army Reserves, he taught in the Philadelphia public schools, followed by teaching as an Adjunct Instructor at Middlesex County College and serving as Assistant Director of admissions. He then moved on to Princeton University where he served as Associate Director of admissions until he became Assistant Dean at NYU School of Law. One of his greatest accomplishments was opening his own title insurance agency, remaining in this field until his retirement. His commitment to education and justice was further demonstrated by his involvement with the Association of Black Admissions and Financial Aid Officers in the Ivy League and Sister Schools, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Union Theological Seminary, and his leadership roles as Chair of the Board of Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick and Co-Chair of the Board

Franklin Moore will be remembered as a loving husband, a passionate father, a selfless friend, and a man who touched the lives of many. His memory will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him. Franklin’s life was truly a testament to the profound impact one person can have on the world and the hearts of others.

Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery, 416 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Franklin D. Moore to the Thrive Charter School, 175 Leonard Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08610. Condolences at radzieta.com.

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Religion

CELEBRATING EASTER: A sunrise service on Sunday, April 20 is among the events planned by Princeton United Methodist Church for the holiday weekend.

Good Friday, Easter Services

At Princeton Methodist Church

On Good Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m., the choirs of Princeton United Methodist Church (PrincetonUMC), directed by Hyosang Park, will present Joseph M. Martin’s The Solemn Shadows, a service of Tenebrae.

This choral cantata features original music as well as time-honored hymns in a journey of tears, passion and hope. The service

will be livestreamed. that day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a Labyrinth Walk be open for meditation and prayer.

Holy Saturday, on April 19, will be observed with a 10 a.m. service. On Easter morning April 20, all are welcome to the sunrise ser vice on the lawn at 6 a.m.

A music-filled Resurrection Service will be held at 10 a.m. The Rev. Jenny Smith Walz will preach. PrincetonUMC.org.

Theological Seminary Presents 2025 Prathia Hall Lecture on Bus Boycott

Princeton Theological Seminary presents the 2025 Prathia Hall Lecture with Danielle McGuire Ph.D., an award-winning civil rights historian and author, on Monday, April 21 at 5 p.m. The topic of the lecture is “The Radical Roots of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its Lessons for Today.” The lecture will be held in the Theron Room, Wright Library, 25 Library Place, and be streamed on YouTube. RSVP to attend in person, or to view online, at ptsem.formstack.com/ forms/prathia_hall_2025.

The Montgomery Bus Boy cott is often reduced to a simple story of Rosa Parks’ defiance, but its true origins lie in a decade-long fight led by Black women against ra cial and sexual violence, ac cording to information from the Seminary. Long before 1955, Rosa Parks and her activist allies organized in response to the systemic abuse of Black women — on buses, in police custody, and

throughout “Jim Crow Alabama.” Their fight was never just about ending segregation or a seat at the front of a bus; it was about dignity, bodily integrity, and the right to move through the world without being assaulted.

Professor Keri L. Day, the Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor of Constructive Theology and African American Religion, will interview McGuire at the conclusion of her lecture.

McGuire the author of At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape and Resistance-a New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power. She is the editor of Freedom Rights: New Perspectives on the Civil Rights Move; wrote the forward for Algiers Motel ; and has contributed chapters to many other books related to the Black Freedom Struggle. She is a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians and has appeared on

PBS, CNN, MSNBC, Headline News, National Public Radio, and BookTV. Her essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Detroit Free Press, Bridge Magazine, Washington Post, Huffington Post and CNN.com. She serves as a consultant on documentary films such as The Rape of Recy Taylor and You Belong to Me: The Ruby McCollum Story. She also helps curate historical tours and civil rights-related curricula for secondary schools and serves on the advisory board of History Studio. She is currently at work on a book about police violence in Detroit in 1967.

DIRECTORY OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES

KINGSTON

April 17, 7pm With Communion

April 18 Prayer Stations in the Sanctuary 7am to 7pm

Saturday, April 19 1-2pm ALL YOUTH EASTER RETREAT 4565 Route 27, Kingston, NJ | kingstonpresnj@gmail.com 609-921-8895 | https://kingstonpresbyterian.org

April 20 Sunrise ~ 6:30am @ Carnegie Lake Breakfast following sunrise service Sunday School at 9:30am ~ Egg Hunt 10:15 Worship at 11am ~ Online & In-Person

Thursday, April 17

7:00 pm: Maundy Thursday Liturgy

Friday, April 18

7:00 am: Good Friday Liturgy

12:00 pm: Stations of the Cross

7:00 pm: Good Friday Liturgy

Saturday, April 19

9:00 am: Holy Saturday Liturgy

7:00 pm: Easter Vigil with Bishop French

Sunday, April 20

7:30 am: Easter Day Eucharist Rite I

9:00 am: Easter Day Eucharist Rite II

11:00 am: Easter Day Eucharist Rite II

On Sunday, April 27, we will resume our normal schedule: 8:00 am: Holy Communion Rite I

10:30 am: Holy Communion Rite II

5:00 pm: Choral Evensong or Choral Compline

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CRS, e-PRO,

325 Spring Hill Road, Skillman

Set back from the road and surrounded by trees, 325 Spring Hill Road offers the peaceful feel of country living on one of Skillman’s most scenic streets. With modern farmhouse charm and magazine-worthy updates, this property is a shining example of thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship. A wraparound front porch warmly welcomes you, setting the tone for the inviting interiors beyond. Inside, natural light floods the main level, where blonde hardwood floors flow seamlessly through the foyer, formal living room, and dining room. Custom built-in bookcases with accent lighting, a cozy window seat, crown molding, and statement light fixtures elevate these spaces--perfect for both casual living and stylish entertaining. The dining room is ready for your next celebration, enhanced by chair rail detailing and a linear chandelier. At the heart of the home, the kitchen impresses with white quartz countertops, a stylish tile backsplash, and handy task lighting. A Viking range, stainless steel appliances, and a sunlit breakfast nook with sliders to the slate patio make this space both functional and beautiful. The twostory family room stuns with vaulted ceilings, skylights, and arched windows framing a raised hearth fireplace, equipped with a wood-burning insert and blower for cozy winter nights. A rustic wood beam adds a subtle farmhouse touch. Nearby, a mudroom with utility sink and shoe closet offers everyday convenience, while a designer powder room with vessel sink adds flair. Upstairs, the primary suite feels like a spa retreat. Enjoy a walk-in closet with Elfa storage system, heated floors, freestanding soaking tub, quartz-topped dual vanity with wall-mounted faucets, frameless LED mirrors, and a steam shower. Three additional bedrooms share a beautiful hall bath with double sinks and tasteful finishes. The finished basement (with egress) offers flexibility and fun with an en suite bedroom and full bath, recreation area with Dolby Atmos home theater for movie nights in, a home gym, and plenty of unfinished area for storage. Set on 3.37 wooded acres with easy access to nature trails, relaxing benches, babbling creek, and a short stroll to Triple S Farm. A dream setting that is peaceful and private, yet you’re just 9 miles to Princeton or Pennington. Additional value features include a whole home generator, Hardi Plank siding, extensive landscaping/hardscaping, triple-pane windows, ultra-efficient attic insulation, multiple sump pumps, advanced drainage system, oversized water heater, forced air humidifier, garage gas space heater, additional baseboard heating, and a Nest smart camera/smoke/CO2 system throughout. This isn’t just a home--it’s a lifestyle upgrade in every sense. List Price $1,426,000

For all your real estate needs in 2024.

26 WELLINGTON COURT

BELLE MEAD NJ 08502

BD 5 | BA 5.5 | Price Upon Request

This impressive 5000 square foot expanded colonial (2010) emanates all the comforts and conveniences of today’s upscale suburban lifestyle. A perfect floor plan for modern living and the multigenerational household. This exceptional home boasts numerous updates, a first floor bedroom with full bath, home office, finished basement with an egress window, and a beautiful rear yard with an inviting in-ground pool.

DONNA M. MURRAY

CRS, e-PRO, ASP, SRS,

Introducing: 82 Aunt Molly Road

Hopewell Township, NJ | $6,975,000

Princeton Office: 609.921.1050 callawayhenderson.com/id/S6ZFT2

Introducing: 131 Randall Road

Princeton, NJ | $1,675,000

Princeton Office: 609.921.1050 callawayhenderson.com/id/Q4MZRX

Introducing: 3 Governors Lane Princeton, NJ | $1,500,000

Susan L. (“Suzy”) DiMeglio: 609.915.5645 callawayhenderson.com/id/G9RWMH

Newly Priced: 339 Hamilton Avenue

Princeton, NJ | $1,195,000

Mark Davies: 215.248.2727 callawayhenderson.com/id/8EGLRW

Introducing: 600 Pretty Brook Road

Princeton, NJ | $4,950,000

Princeton Office: 609.921.1050 callawayhenderson.com/id/JBY6R2

Introducing: 10 Gaitway Drive

Montgomery Township, NJ | $1,650,000

Carolyn Spohn: 609.468.2145 callawayhenderson.com/id/F4XLER

Introducing: 237 Varsity Avenue

West Windsor Township, NJ | $1,345,000

Linda Twining: 609.439.2282 callawayhenderson.com/id/BQ38CT

Newly Priced: 78 Cherry Brook Drive

Montgomery Township, NJ | $895,000

Regina Perry: 908.347.0950 callawayhenderson.com/id/88BB3Z

Introducing: 722 Avery Lane

Princeton, NJ | $3,399,000

Princeton Office: 609.921.1050 callawayhenderson.com/id/2KBNRL Virtually Staged

Introducing: 900 Canal Road

Franklin Township, NJ | $1,595,000

Jennifer Dionne: 908.531.6230 callawayhenderson.com/id/CC4664

Introducing: 12 Ashland Court

Montgomery Township, NJ | $1,290,000

Antoinette Schielein: 908.313.1078 callawayhenderson.com/id/X73WQ6

Introducing: 210 Cold Soil Road

Lawrence Township, NJ | $499,000

Sylmarie (“Syl”) Trowbridge: 917.386.5880 callawayhenderson.com/id/Y676C5

TT digital issue 4-16-25

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Local Arts and Cultural Organizations Affected by Cuts From Federal Agencies

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