October 30, 2024
“CREATIVE WOMEN’S SHOWCASE”: The exhibition focusing on women artists Is at the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster November 1 through December 8. An opening reception is on Friday, November 1 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster presents the “Creative Women’s Showcase” exhibition, curated by Ilisa Zollenberg, November 1 through December 8. Exhibiting artists Serena Bocchino (Basking Ridge), Meeta Garg (Basking Ridge), Ivey Kampouris (Bridgewater), Grace Martoccia (Basking Ridge), Seanna Noonan (Basking Ridge), Carolina W. Rivera (Califon), Isabell Villacis (South Bound Brook), and Ilisa Zollenberg (Basking Ridge) will showcase their work in mixed media, pastels, acrylic, photography, and more. more
PHOTOGRAPHY TALK: Flemington photographer Mary Sunderlin captured this image of an airplane accident in Hunterdon County. The photo date is unknown. Photo historian Gary Saretzky will discuss the area’s earliest local photographers at the annual fall meeting of the Hunterdon County Historical Society (HCHS) on November 10 at 2 p.m. in the Flemington Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. (From the collections of the HCHS)
Discover the unique stories of the area’s earliest local photographers at the annual fall meeting of the Hunterdon County Historical Society (HCHS) on Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m. in the Flemington Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
In a profusely illustrated slide program, photo historian Gary Saretzky will provide an overview of the way photographs were made in the 19th century and discuss the interesting stories of numerous photographers active from about 1850 in Flemington, Lambertville, Clinton, and Frenchtown. About 90 professional photographers were based in Hunterdon in the 19th century. Among those covered in this talk are Gideon C. Angle, Clinton; Frank Fritz, Lambertville; John and Mary Sunderlin, Flemington; and George W. Freeland, Milford and Frenchtown. more
“SEA SELFIE”: This work by William Kanawyer is featured in “In Plain Sight: A Lingering View of the World Around Us,” on view November 3 through November 26 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury. An artist’s reception is on Sunday, November 3 from 1-3 p.m.
The Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury will present “In Plain Sight: A Lingering View of the World Around Us,” the first public showing of photography by William Kanawyer, November 3 through November 26. An artist’s reception is on Sunday, November 3 from 1-3 p.m.
Kanawyer is a sixth generation native Californian. He grew up in the high desert of Southern California surrounded by actors, filmmakers, musicians, and graphic artists. While in school studying technical theater, photography, and electronics, his father died, suddenly launching him, out of need, into a career path that mixed the arts and sciences before settling into programming and computer technologies. more
OPEN AGAIN: “We are glad to be open again and part of the community once more. Our former customers are happy to see us, and we have many regulars as well as people finding us for the first time. We also get lots of tourists. Princeton is a unique town that attracts visitors from all over the world. Our different beer styles seem to align with many international tastes.” Eric Nutt (left), director of corporate sales, and Ray Villano, general manager of Triumph Restaurant & Brewery, are delighted with their new Palmer Square location, formerly home to the Princeton Post Office.
By Jean Stratton
Adam Rechnitz, owner of Triumph Restaurant & Brewery, Eric Nutt, director of corporate sales, and Ray Villano, general manager, like challenges!
When he opened Triumph Brewing Company in 1995, certified master brewer Rechnitz had to take on the New Jersey Legislature, and spearhead a drive to legalize brewpubs, which were then illegal in New Jersey. He and his partners were persistent, the bill was passed, and Triumph Brewing Company, the first brewpub in the state, opened at 138 Nassau Street in 1995. more
TWO GOOD: Princeton University men’s basketball players Caden Pierce, left, and Xaivian Lee got up for a rebound in a game last winter. The return of junior stars Pierce, the 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year, and Lee, a fellow first-team All-Ivy selection, has the Tigers primed for another big campaign. Princeton, which went 24-5 overall and 12-2 Ivy last winter in winning its third straight league regular season title, opens its 2024-25 campaign by hosting Iona on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
As the Princeton University men’s basketball team held its annual media day earlier this month in Jadwin Gym, junior stars Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce mugged for the cameras when asked to pose together for photos.
The one-two punch could have been broken up as Lee entered the NBA Draft process before deciding to return to Princeton and Pierce was a potential target of the transfer portal.
For Pierce, the 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year, his connection with Lee, a fellow first-team All-Ivy selection, played a key role in him remaining with the Tigers. more
ROSY OUTLOOK: Princeton University women’s basketball player Madison St. Rose looks to dribble past a foe in action last season. Junior star guard St. Rose figures to be a go-to player this winter for Princeton. The Tigers, who went 25-5 overall and 13-1 Ivy League last winter on the way to a fifth straight Ivy Tournament championship, start their 2024-25 campaign by playing at Duquesne on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Justin Feil
Madison St. Rose spent her summer in Philadelphia playing basketball against other college players.
It gave the Princeton University women’s basketball junior star more scrimmaging opportunities than she’d had the summer before when she returned to her Old Bridge home, plus more of a chance to build her game for her third year with the Tiger program. more
MURPHY’S LAW: Princeton University football player Dareion Murphy takes a handoff in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior running back Murphy rushed for 21 yards as Princeton fell 45-13 to Harvard. The Tigers, now 2-4 overall and 1-2 Ivy League, host Cornell (2-4 overall, 1-2 Ivy) on November 2. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)
By Bill Alden
In its six contests against archrival Harvard between 2017-23, the Princeton University football team went undefeated, outscoring the Crimson by an average of 31.2-17 in those matchups.
As Princeton headed up to New England for its clash at Harvard on Saturday, Tiger head coach Bob Surace was cautiously optimistic that the winning streak would continue. more
TURNING THE CORNER: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Aaron Thyrum goes after the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, junior midfielderThyrum lofted a corner kick that Chase Hamerschlag converted into the winning goal as second-seeded PHS edged fourth-seeded Notre Dame 1-0 in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final. The Tigers, now 14-2-3, will next be in action when they start play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 tournament where they will be looking for a second straight state title. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Aaron Thyrum had the game at his feet for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team late in the second half as it was locked in a scoreless tie with Notre Dame in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final last Saturday afternoon.
With 10 minutes left in regulation and a stiff crosswind howling across Ackerson Field at Hopewell Valley High, junior midfielder Thyrum lined up a corner kick and had a target in mind. more
THREE-PEAT: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Naomi Lygas sets the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, junior star Lygas contributed 10 kills and eight digs to help PHS defeat Princeton Day School 2-0 (25-6, 25-10) in the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament final. It marked the third straight BCSL title for the Tigers. PHS, who moved to 22-1 with a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-13, 25-10) over Paul VI last Monday, play at Union Catholic on October 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Naomi Lygas and her teammates on the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team were determined to show that they weren’t overrated as they hosted the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) tournament last Thursday.
“I know that coming into today we saw that we were ranked first on NJ.com, so that was a big thing,” said PHS junior star Lygas. “Now we want to prove ourselves to be that.” more
WINNING COMBINATION: Princeton High football quarterback/defensive back Travis Petrone, left, and junior running back/defensive back Carmine Carusone led the way as PHS defeated the West Windsor/Plainsboro football co-op 21-13 last Saturday. Petrone threw a pair of second quarter touchdown passes to Carusone, who also ran for a TD in the fourth quarter. The Tigers improved to 5-4 with the win and clinched their first trip to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) playoffs since 2014. PHS is seeded eighth in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament and will play at top-seeded Winslow (9-0) in a quarterfinal contest on November 2. (Photos by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
There was a lot on the line for the Princeton High football team as it hosted the West Windsor/Plainsboro football co-op last Saturday in its regular season finale.
As the Tigers celebrated Senior Day, they needed a win to go over .500 and put themselves in position to earn their first trip to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) playoffs since 2014. more
By Justin Feil
Rica Eleches-Lipsitz was confident that the Princeton High girls’ cross country team would race well at the Colonial Valley Conference Championships on Thursday at Thompson Park.
PHS did its part, and Eleches-Lipsitz nearly equaled their personal record.
“I knew that we would dominate as a team because we’ve done a lot of really good work on that course and just together. I’ve seen us grow a lot,” said Eleches-Lipsitz. “I don’t think I anticipated my individual race being nearly as good as it was. But I’ve always had faith that my team would pull through the way that they did.” more
UP IN THE AIR: Princeton High girls’ tennis first doubles player Ashna Bushan leaps to make a shot as partner Maya-Alexandra Todorov looks on last Wednesday in the final of the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament. The pair of junior Bushan and senior Todorov topped WW/P-North’s Anjali Vemuri and Maahi Patmidi 6-4, 4-6, (10-8) to win the title. The victory helped PHS take second to North in the team standings at the event which was played at the Mercer County Tennis Complex. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Last fall, the pair of Maya-Alexandra Todorov and Ashna Bushan rolled to the title at first doubles for the Princeton High girls’ tennis team at the Mercer County Tournament in what turned out to be the last year of the competition.
With the Mercer County Tournament Association announcing last spring that it was discontinuing the county tournament in favor of a Colonial Valley Conference Tournament, which bars local private schools who are not members of the CVC, the result was the same last week as Todorov and Bushan prevailed at first doubles. more
STICKING TOGETHER: Members of the Hun School field hockey team celebrate after tallying a goal in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, Hun couldn’t get its offense going as the third-seeded Raiders fell 2-0 to sixth-seeded Lawrenceville in the Prep A state quarterfinal round. Hun, which lost 3-0 to Lawrenceville in a regular season contest last Saturday to move to 7-9, hosts the Peddie School on November 2 in its season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Things didn’t go well for the Hun School field hockey team as it hosted rival Lawrenceville last Wednesday in the Prep A state quarterfinal round.
Unable to get into an offensive rhythm, third-seeded Hun fell 2-0 to the sixth-seeded Big Red.
“It wasn’t all that we could give, some days are better than others,” said Hun post-graduate star Sophia Clark. “We have worked hard, we have had a lot of great opportunities. It is just about putting them away really.” more
To the Editor:
Water drainage in West Windsor has become a major problem. On August 6, 2024, the flooding in West Windsor was so severe it was covered by CBS News. A developer is planning to fill valuable wetlands to construct large single-family homes on Block 16, Lot 24, which is a 22-acre parcel of land adjacent to the West Windsor Little League Fields, between Penn Lyle and North Post Roads. We live next to this property on the same block, and we experienced heavy and dangerous flooding on August 6. You can view a 13-second video of what we experienced at tinyurl.com/wwflood. Our car was totaled, and we are grateful to be alive.
In an area with such severe storm drainage issues, should a developer be allowed to fill in the wetlands adjacent to our homes? Why would we choose to exacerbate this water drainage problem? If the wetlands are filled, where will that stormwater drain to? Who benefits from destroying our homes and reducing our town’s property values? The letter from the developer’s engineer says the plan is to fill in the wetlands to build a single-family home. In actuality, their construction plans show six large, single-family homes and a road that would increase impervious surfaces and runoff. Can the township or the developer guarantee no negative impact to the surrounding neighborhoods? more
To the Editor:
With a critically important national election less than a week away, one could be forgiven for paying slightly less attention to some of the other races at the state and local levels. But, in a democracy, who we choose to lead our institutions has a significant influence on our daily lives, from elected officials in the White House to the “schoolhouse.” The race for Board of Education, here in Princeton, is no exception. The coming year will bring a number of pivotal decisions that will shape the school system, and — by extension — the town, including the hiring of a new superintendent, the advancement of a referendum to fund the needed improvement of our schools, and a continued focus on closing any learning gaps that opened up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At this pivotal moment, Princeton needs a Board of Education that is values-driven, and ready to take the necessary steps to continue to ensure a brighter future for our children on day one. We couldn’t think of two better candidates to join the Board than Erica Snyder and Chris Santarpio. Erica and Chris are currently the co-presidents of the Community Park Elementary School PTO, where our daughter has been enrolled since kindergarten and is now in third grade. To put it simply, we believe they are the best candidates to fill these important roles. more
To the Editor:
Reading the article “Sustainable Princeton Reports Progress on CAP” on the front page of the October 2 issue, I was disappointed in what direction the town is heading. Instead of extending their services for residents paying really high property taxes, it is looking like Princeton is creating new obstacles and is spending money for environmental studies, “how to handle garbage, recycling, leaves, shrubs collection, and food scraps program.” To enforce these new rules the town is even hiring a new position of “environmental cop.”
These facts are raising several questions: Why is the town significantly reducing services? Why do we have to place leaves into bags instead of leaving them at curb line as we did for years? Why can’t landscape contractors place leaves at the curb line? These leaves are still from our yards. Why do we not do recycling the way it has been done for years in Europe (separation of glass, plastic, paper, cans)? And why are homeowners legally responsible for the kind of machinery landscape contractors are using?
Cyril Kucera
State Road
To the Editor:
I am delighted to pound the table in support of the candidacy of Ari Meisel for PPS Board of Education member. In the interests of full disclosure, Ari and I are good friends. In fact, my wife and I hosted his 40th birthday party in our home. So while I firmly stand by everything I have stated below, the reader of this letter should note that I am unabashedly Team Ari.
Let’s be honest, Princeton’s school system has made some mistakes in recent years. Yes, our public schools still do a good job of educating our children. But for better or worse, good isn’t good enough anymore. There are too many high-performance school systems in Mercer County — let alone New Jersey and the nation — to be satisfied with providing our students with a B+ educational offering. more
To the Editor:
This is my first letter to Town Topics and I’m doing so to fully endorse my wife Erica Snyder’s candidacy for a seat on the PPS Board of Education.
In the fall of 2009, I met Erica while she was working as a hardworking teacher at Garinger High School in Charlotte, NC. This was the third opportunity, in a row, that Erica chose to teach at an economically disadvantaged, diverse, inner-city school following Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Chicago, Ill. (Garinger has a 96.5 percent minority enrollment — 2024 numbers). Erica worked tirelessly to ensure her students received the latest in innovation, with project-based learning and new technologies, she communicated clearly with the faculty, parents and students in English and Spanish, and she dedicated countless hours in coaching struggling teenagers to ensure they met grade level curriculum standards. more
Gene R. McHam
Gene R. McHam, age 89, formerly of Brooklyn, N.Y., died on October 19 at his home in Princeton, N.J., surrounded by loving members of his family who had nursed him in his final days. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Blake McHam, and five children, Michael McHam of Metuchen, NJ (Antonette), Jeffrey McHam of Castro Valley, CA (Jennifer), Melissa McHam Green of Brooklyn, NY (Geoffrey); stepdaughters, Emily McHam Lambert of Rochester, NY (J. David), and Julia Wilk of San Diego, CA; and eight grandchildren, Natalie and Charlotte McHam, Sam Neal, Henry and Syl Green, Wendell, Charles, and Samuel Lambert.
A Navy ROTC scholarship paid for his undergraduate degree in English literature at Miami University of Ohio, and so Gene spent three years on active duty in the Navy as a Lieutenant (junior grade). He loved telling stories of his escapades, always embellished with the tall tale exaggerations consistent with his Texan origins. Ever after, he happily educated family members in destroyer bridge talk and semaphore poses. Post Navy, he had a distinguished and multifarious career. After graduating from Columbia University as a member of the Law Review (1963), he was hired by Lord, Day & Lord, then an eminent law firm in New York City, where he worked from 1963-1966. Gene was especially proud of his significant contribution to a landmark US Supreme Court case, in which he authored the brief that was ultimately argued before the Court. His work in that case became an important part of Supreme Court jurisprudence, marking a lasting impact on legal precedent. His dedication to justice and his commitment to this pivotal case will remain a defining aspect of his legacy. Herbert Brownell, the former Attorney General of the United States and a senior partner in his firm, enticed him to join the first campaign of John V. Lindsay for mayor of New York City. The victorious Lindsay appointed Gene to be Assistant Corporation Counsel of the City of New York (1966) and Director of the Civilian Complaint Review Board. In his one year there, Gene also supervised the collection of more than $5,000,000 in unpaid traffic tickets to the city.
He soon moved on to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., where he served as Executive Assistant to its President, Robert W. Haack, and as Vice President in charge of the Direct Clearing Department, which processed NYSE trades for 62 brokerage firms (1966-70). He returned to the private sector as a senior vice president and director of F.S. Smithers & Co., Inc., a securities company, from 1970-73. When Smithers failed, he was hired by the Louis-Dreyfus Corporation, a large grain exporting company, which appointed him as a senior vice president and director, but not before he passed a graphology test in Paris (despite his notoriously illegible handwriting). The Louis-Dreyfus family later became famous to a broader audience through the actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
After six years there, in 1979, Gene co-founded Andrew Peck Associates, Inc., a pioneering discount stock brokerage firm on Wall Street, where he served as Executive Vice-president and Director until his retirement in 1995. Shortly thereafter, he and his associates sold it to Muriel Siebert, the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.
Gene was a lifelong scholar and traveled extensively. He audited enough courses at Princeton, principally in philosophy, to have earned two undergraduate degrees. One of his passions was compiling a more than 200-page commonplace book of favorite quotations from his vast reading as he explored the meaning of life. He will be sorely missed for his sense of humor, learning, tireless curiosity, and generous heart by those who knew him. In lieu of flowers, if you are so inclined, please send contributions to Memorial Sloan Kettering or the New York Public Library.
Arrangements under the direction of The Mather Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.
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Louis “Louie” Intartaglia
Louis “Louie” Intartaglia, 74, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Penn Medicine in Plainsboro, NJ.
A lifelong resident of Princeton, Louie attended the Princeton Public School system, graduating from Princeton High School in 1968.
He went on to attend Emerson College before enlisting in the Navy, where he served for four years in the Middle East during the oil crisis. After his service, Louie returned to Princeton and worked as a landscaper. He was an avid sports fan, particularly of the Baltimore Orioles.
Louie was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Boccanfuso Intartaglia, and father, Dominick Intartaglia. He is survived by his brother, Andre (Donna), and his nieces, Anna and Olivia, as well as many cousins.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SAVE Animal Shelter by calling (609) 309-5214 or online at savehomelessanimals.org.
Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.
October 23, 2024
Pumpkin painting was among the children’s activities at the annual event on Saturday in the courtyard at the Princeton Shopping Center. Trick-or-treating, live music, a pet costume contest, balloon artists, and more were also featured. Attendees discuss their costumes in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)
By Donald Gilpin
Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, is less than two weeks away with high-profile races on the ballot for U.S. president and vice president, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and a heated local battle for three seats on the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE).
Early voting starts this Saturday, October 26 and continues through November 3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at any one of seven Mercer County locations, including the Princeton Municipal Building at 400 Witherspoon Street.
Vote by mail ballots have been mailed to all voters who have requested them, applications continue to be processed, and drop boxes to return those ballots are open throughout the county. Visit the Mercer County clerk’s website at mercercounty.org for locations and further information on the election and ways to vote. more
By Donald Gilpin
The search for a permanent superintendent of the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) was officially launched on Thursday, October 17, with School Leadership LLC consultants advertising the position in numerous outlets, as well as reaching out to target organizations and implementing additional recruitment strategies.
“The consultants have said that they are seeing interest in the position,” the Princeton Board of Education (BOE) reported in a statement Tuesday.
The hiring process, a rolling search with applications submitted online, is expected to continue into the winter with a candidate and contract approved by March. Interim Superintendent Kathie Foster will continue to lead the district through June, with the new superintendent stepping into the position on July 1, 2025. more
By Donald Gilpin
Seeking to encourage “housing that’s affordable for schoolteachers and other middle-income families,” an assortment of experts and ordinary citizens under the auspices of Princeton Future will gather in the Theron Room of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library at 25 Library Place on Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discuss possibilities.
This particular Princeton Future forum will focus on North Tulane, a small block between Wiggins and Spring streets, and “the question for all of us,” according to Princeton Future cofounder and administrator Sheldon Sturges, is, “What would be the best thing for this community?” more
CHORAL COLLABORATION: The Ndlovu Youth Choir, familiar to many from its appearances on the television show “America’s Got Talent,” is being hosted by the Princeton University Glee Club on Saturday, October 26 at Richardson Auditorium.
By Anne Levin
Each fall, Princeton University’s Glee Club presents a concert at Richardson Auditorium with the glee clubs of either Harvard or Yale. It was Harvard’s turn this year, but the date — October 26 — conflicted with another event the Cambridge, Mass., club had on its schedule.
Gabriel Crouch, a professor of music at Princeton and the director of the glee club, found out about the conflict last summer. more