October 23, 2024
Instructor Nancy Toolan receives flowers at the recent opening of “Learning Curves: Works from the Beginning Drawing Classes,” featuring works by residents of Princeton Windrows. The exhibition is on view in the Russell Marks Gallery on the Princeton Windrows campus, 2000 Windrow Drive, through the end of December.
COTTAGE ENVIRONMENT: An aerial view of the grounds at the Meadows of Lawrence.
By Jean Stratton
Helping to care compassionately for an older person. Cooking something that she or he would like to eat. Helping them to put on a shirt or sweater that won’t irritate thinning skin. Trying to think of something that might make them laugh. Sharing a story.
All ways to treat someone with dignity and respect, and all important values at The Meadows at Lawrence, emphasizes Daisy Newson, director of community relations.
“The well-being of our residents is our NO. 1 priority,” she explains. “We are based on the Greenhouse Model. This includes individual cottages, a low population, and a higher staff-resident ratio. We provide people with all levels of care here; a nurse is on-site 24/7, with a nurse station in each cottage, and a doctor comes every day. And all the food is cooked right here. Everything is baked fresh, and all dietary needs are accommodated.”
The Meadows at Lawrence, which is affiliated with the Lawrence Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, opened in 2015 at One Bishops Drive in Lawrenceville. It is set apart from most long-term health care facilities because of its cottage environment, offering a more home-like atmosphere. Its six cottages are each home to 10 residents, and all are fully staffed with aides to help each individual as needed. more
HIP HIP HOORAY: Princeton University quarterback Blaine Hipa gets ready to unload the ball last Friday night against Brown. Junior Hipa completed 15-of-26 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown and rushed for another score as Princeton held off a late rally by the Bears to prevail 29-17 and improve to 2-3 overall and 1-1 Ivy League. The Tigers play at Harvard (4-1 overall, 1-1 Ivy) on October 26. (Photo by Sideline Photos, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)
By Bill Alden
Blaine Hipa struggled in his first three career starts this fall for the Princeton University football team, completing 46 percent of his passes with nine interceptions and three touchdowns as the Tigers lost all three games.
As Princeton hosted Brown last Friday night, Hipa was primed to put that rough stretch behind him. more
MOMENT OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton University men’s soccer player Gabe Duchovny, left, goes after the ball in a 2023 game. Last Saturday, junior midfielder Duchovny scored the winning goal as Princeton rallied to edge Columbia 2-1. The Tigers, now 6-5 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, host Yale on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Justin Feil
Gabe Duchovny wasn’t thinking about his shot or he might not have taken it.
It wasn’t a high percentage shot, but the junior midfielder couldn’t have hit his rocket from 30 yards any better for the game-winner in the Princeton University men’s soccer team’s 2-1 comeback win at Columbia on Saturday. more
HAMMER TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Chase Hamerschlag rises up for a header in recent action. Last Monday, junior center back Hamerschlag scored a goal and played strong defense to help second-seeded PHS defeat 10th-seeded Trenton Central 2-1 in the quarterfinal round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The Tigers, now 12-2-3, will face third-seeded Steinert in the CVC tourney semis on October 24 at Hopewell Valley with the victor advancing to the final on October 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Chase Hamerschlag provided a spark off the bench as a reserve forward for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team last fall as it won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state title.
Backing up high-scoring striker Pasquale Carusone, Hamerschlag contributed five goals and two assists. But with PHS losing star center backs Nick Matese and Jamie Reynolds to graduation, Hamerschlag volunteered to move back to the back line this season to help fill that void. more
KACEY PRIME: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Kacey Howes, left, gets ready to boot the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior star Howes scored two goals in the second half as 10th-seeded PHS produced a late rally against seventh-seeded Princeton Day School in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament but came up short in a 3-2 loss. The Tigers, who defeated Hightstown 2-0 in a CVC consolation contest on Monday to move to 5-9-2, host the Peddie School on October 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
With the Princeton High girls’ soccer team having lost 2-0 to Princeton Day School in September, it looked like the Tigers were about to be blanked again in the rivalry when the local foes met last Saturday in the first round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament.
Midway through the second half, 10th-seeded PHS trailed the host and seventh-seeded Panthers 3-0 despite generating some good scoring chances on set pieces, including a free kick that flew inches over the goal and a corner kick that resulted in the ball ricocheting off the crossbar. more
By Justin Feil
Drae Tyme’s position switch after his sophomore year for the Hun School football team opened up an opportunity and rekindled his career goals.
Tyme always wanted to play Division I college football. He came to Hun as a quarterback from Canada, but after two seasons without many snaps he saw another chance to get on the field and reinvented himself at tight end.
“I just went into it with an open mind,” said Tyme, who now lives in Princeton. “I was like, if I’m more athletic and I can be put somewhere else that will get me to play college football, I’d do it. I just want to find the best opportunity for me. And it was obviously switching to tight end. So I think it was just being open minded about it and just accepting what it could mean.” more
HOLDING COURT: Princeton Day School girls’ tennis player Kavita Amin follows through on a shot last Thursday as PDS faced the Pingry School in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public state final at the Mercer County Park tennis complex. Senior Amin and sophomore Zarna Kalra lost 6-1, 6-2 to Isabelle Chen and Leila Souayah at first doubles as the Panthers fell 5-0 to Pingry.
By Bill Alden
As a senior captain for the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team, Kavita Amin aims to positively influence her teammates.
“I really like being a mentor to the younger players and keeping the team culture really high which I think we have done good job of,” said Amin. “We have become really close, not only as teammates but we are really good friends. We know how to look out for each other.” more
By Bill Alden
For Makena Graham and her teammates on the Princeton Day School girls’ soccer team, hosting Princeton High last Saturday in the opening round of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament was an opportunity to turn the page on an uneven campaign.
“We have had a rough start to the season so we all said today is a reset, today nothing else matters,” said Graham of the Panthers who had gone 1-5 in their previous six games before the CVC opener.
“It didn’t matter that we beat them before (2-0 on September 24). Our record didn’t matter. It was come in like a new team. We were going to possess, we were going to play our way. We weren’t going to panic.” more
To the Editor:
Eight years ago, my wife, Liesl Geiger, and I moved here with two kids, then 4 and 9. After over two decades in New York City, we chose Princeton for a variety of reasons, but mostly for the schools — and the committed citizen oversight that makes them great.
It’s a rite of fall in Princeton. Trick-or-treating takes place amid the lawn signs of civic-minded neighbors we’ve met at school, on the sports fields, or around town. more
To the Editor:
Princeton Public Schools (PPS) needs leaders who offer independent thinking and act decisively during complex situations. That is why we are endorsing Lisa Potter and Shenwei Zhao for the Board of Education. Both candidates bring distinct strengths that will help PPS thrive.
With extensive human resources experience, Lisa Potter emphasized proactive communication to avoid preventable conflicts. Reflecting on these same situations, Potter shared how earlier action would have minimized disruption and maintained stability. Her focus on risk management and strategic foresight will be critical as PPS navigates challenges such as hiring a new superintendent and deepening community engagement. more
To the Editor:
There is a growing concern in our community that certain Board of Education candidates are being unfairly labeled as racist, often without substantial evidence. These accusations can be especially damaging when they come from influential figures within the dominant local political organization, whose voices hold considerable weight in shaping public opinion. It is vital that we question these claims and not accept them at face value, as they can undermine both the integrity of our elections and trust in our democratic processes.
What is particularly troubling is that these accusations seem to target not only those who hold differing opinions on how best to support minority students, but also those merely perceived as having such views. In education, as in any field, there are often multiple perspectives on how to address complex issues. Yet, if a candidate’s viewpoint — or even just the perception of their viewpoint — conflicts with the beliefs of key figures in education and the community, they may quickly find themselves unjustly branded as racist. This happens not because of what these candidates have actually said or done, but because their opinions seem to rub leading figures the wrong way. more
To the Editor:
Thank you to Jenni and Gordon for their letter [“Writing in Praise and Support of Jugtown Neighborhood Restaurant,” Mailbox, October 16] and for choosing Trattoria Procaccini to host your 50th wedding anniversary dinner party. We do our utmost to create an amazing experience for all our clients with great cuisine, an amazing atmosphere, and professional and courteous staff.
It has always been my goal to make everyone feel like extended family when they dine with us, and it gives me great pleasure to know that you both feel the same. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and we thank you for your long-standing support over the years and by dining local. Many of us small businesses rely on loyal customers like yourselves and it means the world to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
John S. Procaccini
Lifelong Princeton resident
Gretalia Hospitality Group
Tree Farm Road, Pennington
To the Editor:
During this election cycle, rumors are circulating that the two Asian candidates for BOE are racist. These accusations are not just absurd — they are divisive and dangerous. Whispered within the community, they sow distrust and disconnection. People I once considered friends now avoid my gaze. Neighbors have grown distant, treating me like an outsider in a place where I’ve worked hard to serve and belong.
This smear campaign feels eerily familiar. When my family first arrived in America, we lived in a rough part of Hollywood. My mother, a single parent who didn’t speak English, worked as a housekeeper in Beverly Hills. My brother and I stayed in a motel, watched over by an auntie who provided us with a foothold in this new life. more
To the Editor:
Every time I drive by Princeton Theological Seminary’s Tennent/Roberts/Whiteley campus located between Edgehill Street and Hibben Road, my heart sinks. Trees have been cut down, three buildings have been razed, and a multi-family development by Herring Properties has been challenged by concerned neighbors and town citizens at public hearings.
One of Princeton’s major assets is its historic neighborhood. I grew up in The Barracks on 32 Edgehill Street and later my husband and I purchased it from my parents. (My father, Lewis B. Cuyler, was president of the Princeton Historical Society). I ask myself, “What was the Seminary thinking when it decided to sell their historic campus (originally Hun School) to Herring Properties?” How can the PTS sell property to a developer who has plans for 238 apartments? Five acres with three- to four- story buildings and underground parking. A monstrosity in a historic district. It’s irresponsible.
Why not preserve Princeton’s valuable historic district as is? The Barracks was a hospital during the French and Indian War and once again, served as a hospital for British and Hessian soldiers during the Battle of Princeton. The Stocktons lived in the house as Morven was being built. Other houses on Edgehill have historic significance as well. It’s a travesty that Princeton’s town Council seems married to the financial gain of a modern apartment building in the heart of Princeton’s historic district at the expense of Princeton’s earliest neighborhood and its historical integrity.
Margery Cuyler
Birchwood Court
To the Editor:
This is our first letter to Town Topics and we are doing so to endorse Erica Snyder’s candidacy for a seat on the PPS Board of Education.
Erica’s daughter is classmates with our first-grade daughter at Community Park. We have always been impressed by Erica’s commitment to public service and her extensive experience as an educator. While working full time she nonetheless served as a co-president of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), helping facilitate community activities that immediately allowed new families like ours and so many others to feel at home at Community Park. Also, at a school with significant income disparities among its families, Erica oversaw fundraising initiatives that ensured that all families were able to participate fully in extracurricular activities regardless of their ability to pay. And she did this in the aftermath of the pandemic and the massive disruption this caused for the PTO and the rest of the community. more
To the Editor:
Council’s foresight to preserve and utilize the Westminster Choir College campus is commendable. We have not heard how this purchase will be utilized, so we look forward to public input from our residents for how this asset can be utilized with minimal cost to Princeton’s residents. With the wisdom and financial acumen of our neighbors, we should reconsider past municipal practices of retaining costly consultants who know less about Princeton than its residents.
Use of the existing classroom buildings by the BOE may be feasible if large expenditures are not required to update the facilities to a state-of-the-art design statement. The $49 million purchase price could easily generate additional costs if the entire 23-acre campus is not considered as an income producing opportunity. more
To the Editor:
Several people have reached out to me seeking clarification on my response to a question asked at the PTOC Candidate Forum Webinar on October 1. Before I dive into the details, please let me share the exact question:
In PPS, librarians and educators choose the books housed in the school libraries. Do you think the Board should be involved in choosing or banning books?
Based on the pre-set rule, I was the first to respond to this question. I admit that I was initially a bit confused by how the question was worded. I later had a chance to discuss this with the PTOC Forum organizers at a “Meet the Candidates” event, and I got the sense that they might have agreed with me that the question could have been phrased better, especially since it was presented in a simple “yes or no” format. more
To the Editor:
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mara Franceschi since I moved to Princeton nine years ago and the opportunity of working with her as a PTO officer at Johnson Park Elementary School for many years. I am grateful for her contributions on the Board of Education and am excited to support her reelection for a second term.
Mara’s candidacy is an obvious choice to me due to her extensive experience as a Board member. She not only understands the role’s responsibilities, but embodies the leadership qualities needed to mentor new Board members over the next three years. But it is not just her experience that I find invaluable, it is her commitment and dedication to our school district that I have witnessed that garners my unwavering support. For over 14 years, she has given her time, talent and energy to our school district, children and community. Her advocacy for all children and her determination to maintain our district’s high standards sets her apart. more
To the Editor:
We are writing to express our strong support for Chris Santarpio and Erica Snyder as candidates for our Princeton Public Schools’ Board of Education. As a family committed to our public schools for over 20 years, we have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that quality and equitable education has on our community. Chris and Erica’s commitment to inclusion and equity is both commendable and essential.
Chris and Erica have a proven track record of working well together and collaborating with others. As co-presidents of the Community Park PTO, they have successfully brought parents, teachers, and administrators together to create a more supportive school environment. Their ability to foster teamwork and engage diverse perspectives has led to initiatives that benefit all students. more
Pryde Brown
Pryde Brown, an American photographer and lifelong feminist, died at her home in Ringoes, NJ, on September 29, 2024. Pryde was best known for her portrait and wedding photography; she expressed the joy she found in people through the lens of her beloved Rolleiflex. Her career began in 1970 when she purchased a photography studio in Princeton. There she honed her skills and developed a reputation for her extraordinary portraiture and black and white analogue archival printing. Her archive, including hundreds of thousands of negatives, is a testament to her talent and dedication to her art.
Born January 27, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY, Pryde grew up in Ridgewood, NJ, and graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1956. In 1957, she married John McPhee, who was to become a renowned non-fiction writer, and together they raised four daughters: Laura, Sarah, Jenny, and Martha. When her marriage to McPhee ended, she became a professional photographer and was in business for over 40 years.
Her second marriage to Dan Sullivan brought her five stepchildren and a fifth daughter, Joan. Together on their 45-acre property in Ringoes, NJ, this large blended family raised goats and chickens, tended fields of raspberries and strawberries, and became a magnet for many artists and intellectuals of the time. Pryde later placed the property in the D&R Greenway Land Trust; it is now known as “Pryde’s Point” and the land is preserved and open to hikers.
In addition to her career as a photographer, Pryde was a fierce advocate for women’s rights. She joined the National Organization for Women in the early 1970s and co-founded the group Women on Words and Images. Together, they wrote the influential Dick and Jane as Victims, a work that exposed gender biases in children’s literature and textbooks. She continued her advocacy with the publication of Channeling Children: Sex Stereotyping on Prime Time TV. Her belief in the power of education led her to mentor scores of high school students in her photography studio, helping them to identify their passions and to write about them eloquently in college application essays.
Pryde is survived by her five daughters — Laura McPhee, Sarah McPhee, Jenny McPhee, Martha McPhee, and Joan Sullivan Anane — as well as her five stepchildren and numerous grandchildren. In lieu of flowers or gifts, you may make a donation “In memory of Pryde Brown” to D&R Greenway Land Trust, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton, 08540, (609) 924-4646), or online at drgreenway.org. D&RG’s Tax ID # is 22-3035836 and NJ Charity number is CH0469400.
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Lucille (McCracken) Carnevale
Lucille passed away at University Medical Center at Princeton on October 19, 2024, at the age of 93 years. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, NJ, she attended local schools, graduating from Perth Amboy High School in 1949 as a member of the National Honor Society.
She came to Princeton in 1953. She and her sister opened The Fabric Shop on Chambers Street. Eventually she became sole owner moving to the Princeton Shopping Center. She closed the door in 1983. Boredom setting in, she worked at LaVake Jewelers then Hamilton Jewelers.
Daughter of the late Robert and Rose McCracken and wife of the late Anthony Carnevale, she is survived by her son Gary; daughter April and her husband Richard Dombey; grandchildren Courtney, Anthony (A.J.), Catherine Carnevale, Jessica and husband Joshua Barkauskie; and great-grandchildren Christian, Nicholas, and Benjamin. Lucille is also survived by her sister, Eleanor Nelson, brother-in-law, Michael Carnevale, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in memory of Lucille Carnevale to the Salvation Army (Trenton), 575 E. State Street Trenton, NJ 08601-1101 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001.
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Ernest Mario
1938 – 2024
Dr. Ernest Mario, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, passed away at his son’s home in Durham, NC, on October 20, 2024, after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking leadership and contributions to healthcare and education. He lived at various times in Cherry Hill, NJ; Bridgewater, NJ; Princeton, NJ; Palo Alto, CA; London, England; Wilmington, NC; and Key West, FL. He was 86.
Married for 59 years to the former Mildred Martha Daume, who passed in 2020, “Pop-Pops” was deeply loved and respected by his surviving family: three sons, Christopher Mario of Key West, FL, Greg Mario (Lauren) of Miami, FL, and Jeremy Mario (Jennifer) of Durham, NC; eight grandchildren, Griffin, Chloe, Madeleine, Brigitte, Gretchen, Reid, Charlie, and Millicent); two great-grandchildren; and many dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Born in 1938 in Clifton, New Jersey, to immigrant parents, Dr. Mario was educated in public schools, graduating high school at just 16 years old before earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University College of Pharmacy, which in 2001 was renamed the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in his honor. He went on to earn his MS and then his PhD in physical science at the University of Rhode Island.
Dr. Mario began his career as a pharmacist and researcher, working his way up through quality control and manufacturing at Strasenburgh Labs, SmithKline, and Squibb, to eventually become the CEO of Glaxo Inc (USA) and then Glaxo Holdings (Worldwide) from 1986 to 1993, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s growth.
After Glaxo, he served as chairman and CEO of Alza Corporation, guiding it through its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in 2001. He then served as CEO of Reliant Pharmaceuticals in Liberty Corner, NJ, helping lead the company to its acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline in 2007.
Throughout his career, he served on numerous corporate boards including Celgene Inc. in Summit, NJ, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Kindred Biosciences, and was actively involved in healthcare education, notably as honorary chairman of the APhA, and as chairman of the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education Board for 15 years.
Dr. Mario’s contributions extended to the non-profit sector, where he served in leadership roles with organizations such as the American Lung Association, the President’s Council on Fitness, Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, The Gladstone Institute, and Stanford Hospital, among others. He has served as a trustee of Duke University (1989-2007), Rutgers University (1986-1992), University of Rhode Island (1978-1986), and Rockefeller University (1989-2000).
As a boy in Clifton, NJ, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and was especially proud in 2000 when he was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award for his service to youth.
In 2007, Dr. Mario was awarded the Remington Honor Medal, the highest recognition in the pharmaceutical profession.
Along with his family, philanthropy brought Dr. Mario one of his great joys, especially the creation of the Mario Family Foundation, which aims to support educational and economic opportunities and historic preservation.
He will be remembered by his family and friends not just for his business success, uncompromising integrity, and philanthropic endeavors, but also for his love of family get-togethers, classic Corvettes, sitting in the sun working the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, and making enormous pots of his famous spaghetti Bolognese to be shared around a large table. He had formidable card-playing skills, which he continued to display and teach to his grandsons right up until his final weeks. He will be greatly missed.
A public memorial event will take place at the Edith Memorial Chapel at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ, on December 7 at 2 p.m. Reception to follow.
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Memorial Service
Dorothy “Dosky” F. French
Dorothy “Dosky” F. French, 94, of Princeton, NJ, passed away at home on August 22, 2024.
A Memorial Gathering for Dosky will be celebrated on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Pub Room in the main building of Princeton Windrows, located at 2000 Windrow Drive, Princeton.
October 16, 2024
Matt Derby created “Deception,” one of the many giant pumpkins carved by local artists that were on display at the 10th annual festival presented by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council. The event, held October 9-13 in Woolsey Park, Hopewell Township, also featured live music, fire pits with storytelling, games, pumpkin painting, and more. Attendees discuss their favorite pumpkins in this week’s Town Talk on Page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)
By Anne Levin
At a meeting Monday evening, October 14, Princeton Council approved the bond ordinance to finance the town’s acquisition of the former Westminster Choir College campus. The second of two ordinances related to authorization of the acquisition, it would appropriate $50 million and authorize the issuance of $49.5 million in bond or notes.
In response to concerns that Councilmembers have heard from the public about the impact this would have on Princeton’s ability to respond to other needs, Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic said the town’s bonding capacity is almost $330 million “There is still plenty of capacity to us after this purchase,” he said. more
COMPLICATED LEGACY: The Princeton University Board of Trustees has decided not to remove the statue of founding father and former University President John Witherspoon from its prominent place in Firestone Plaza, despite Witherspoon’s ownership of slaves and opposition to abolition. (Photo by Princeton University, Denise Applewhite)
By Donald Gilpin
In 2022 more than 300 petitioners called for removal of the large statue of John Witherspoon that stands atop a pedestal in front of East Pyne Hall and towers over Princeton University’s Firestone Plaza, but after more than two years of ensuing debate and deliberations on campus, the University’s Board of Trustees has decided that the statue will remain.
Witherspoon, who made many significant contributions to Princeton University (then known as the College of New Jersey) as its sixth president (1768-1794) and to the country as a founding father and signatory of the Declaration of Independence, also owned slaves and spoke out against the abolition of slavery. more