September 25, 2024

RAPT AUDIENCE: Young listeners and their families are the focus of “CMS Kids: Tuneful Travels,” a special program taking place in the Lee Rehearsal Room of the Lewis Arts Complex on Saturday, October 19 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Princeton University Concerts welcomes back the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) for the first family program of the season on Saturday, October 19 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Rami Vamos hosts these events in the Lee Rehearsal Room of the Lewis Arts Complex. “CMS Kids: Tuneful Travels” is curated for kids ages 3-6 and their families. Vamos and the professional musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will guide audiences through a magical journey where music for piano, violin, and bassoon becomes an expression of joy and movement.
The concert is adapted for neurodiverse audiences, including children with autism and other special needs. The performance is less formal than traditional concerts and more supportive of sensory, communication, movement, and learning needs. more

On October 4-6 and 25-27, Roxey Ballet presents “The C Word,” a celebration in dance, music, and spoken word of the strength and resilience of breast cancer survivors. The performances, which are in person and virtual, take place at Mill Ballet, 46 North Sugan Road, New Hope, Pa.

Choreographed by Mark Roxey, the multimedia production tells the personal stories of women who have overcome breast cancer. Funded by a grant from New Music USA, it is a tribute to the human spirit. Roxey has collaborated with composers Robert Maggio and Matthew Hardy to bring these stories to life. more

FALL EXHIBITIONS: Solo exhibitions by Angela Pilgrim, whose work is shown at left, and Barbara Wallace, right. will be on view at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster September 27 through December 8. An opening reception is on September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster has announced two fall solo exhibitions on view September 27 through December 8. The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

“Angela Pilgrim: New Growth” presents the work of Angela Pilgrim, whose studio is in Newark. She said, “My work explores the Black female gaze through figurative imagery of the body. Utilizing portraiture, printmaking, pattern making and mixed media, I investigate themes of beauty, spirituality and reflection. By creating visual stories that invoke critical thinking processes regarding interiority, my work aims to reverse and rebuild how Black women see themselves, both within their communities and expanded to a much larger world view.” more

“LAVENDER HORIZON”: This work by Elizabeth Grimaldi is featured in “Reciprocal Inspiration and a Cranbury School Legacy: Elizabeth Grimaldi and Elaina Phillips,” on view October 2 through October 30 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury

The Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury will present “Reciprocal Inspiration and a Cranbury School Legacy: Elizabeth Grimaldi and Elaina Phillips” October 2 through October 30.

In the exhibition, Elizabeth Grimaldi, a retired Cranbury School teacher and administrator, will exhibit her original paintings. Additionally, works by Elaina Philips, her former student, will be on display.  more

OPEN STUDIO: Sculptor Don Campbell is among the local artists who will open their studio doors to the public for the 17th Annual Hopewell Tour des Arts on September 28 and 29.

During the 17th Annual Hopewell Tour des Arts on September 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and September 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 60 local artists will open their studio doors to the public. Among stops on this year’s tour is the studio of sculptor Don Campbell.

Nestled in the heart of Hopewell, Campbell’s barn studio offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of narrative sculpture. Campbell, a master storyteller in clay, is known for his ability to capture emotion, form, and narrative in his absract, portrait, and figurative works. His pieces, deeply inspired by the realms of consciousness and nature, invite viewers to engage with the unfolding stories embedded within each sculpture. more

The 2024 New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show opens on Saturday, October 5 at Meadow Lakes Senior Living, 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, and will remain on display and open to the public through Wednesday, October 30. This is the 58th annual State Senior Citizen Art Show, and features more than 250 works of art by artists over the age of 60, representing 20 of the state’s 21 counties.

The work — by both professional and non-professional artists in 11 categories (acrylic, craft, digital arts, mixed media, oil, pastels, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper) — will be reviewed by a three-person panel of professional artists. After careful review, the judges will select first, second, and third place winners and honorable mentions in each category. more

OFF AND RUNNING: Princeton University football running back John Volker heads upfield in a 2023 game. Last Saturday, senior Volker scored on a three-yard touchdown run in a losing cause as Princeton fell 35-20 to Lehigh in its season opener. The Tigers will look to get on the winning track as they host Howard (2-2) on September 28 in its home opener. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Opening its 2024 season last Saturday by facing a rugged Lehigh squad that already had three games under its belt, the Princeton University football team got off to a rough start.

Princeton trailed 21-7 at halftime, getting outscored 14-0 in the second quarter as it struggled on both sides of the ball. more

AMAZING GRACE: Princeton University field hockey player Grace Schulze controls the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, senior forward Schulze scored all three goals for No. 18 Princeton as it edged No. 13 Rutgers 3-2. The Tigers, now 4-2 overall and 1-0 Ivy League, play at Columbia on September 27 before hosting No. 1 Northwestern on September 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

Grace Schulze found the perfect way to end her frustration.

The senior forward scored all three goals in No. 18 Princeton University field hockey team’s 3-2 comeback win at No. 13 Rutgers on Sunday.

“It definitely was a great feeling,” said Schulze. “I think when we play Rutgers, there’s always a lot of emotion. They’re obviously our in-state rivals, so being able to get the comeback win was huge and I think I’ve been struggling with getting goals and getting shots, so I think for me it was a good way to start my scoring for the season.” more

CENTURY CLUB: Princeton High girls’ soccer goalie Julia Zaldarriaga boots the ball last Saturday against the Hun School. Sophomore star Zaldarriaga earned a shutout and made her 100th career save in the process as the local foes battled to a 0-0 draw. PHS, which moved to 1-2-2 with the tie, hosts WW/P-North on September 26 and Hopewell Valley on September 28 before playing at Notre Dame on October 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Julia Zaldarriaga is only a sophomore but she has already hit a special milestone for the Princeton High girls’ soccer team.

Last Saturday, sophomore goalie Zaldarriaga recorded the 100th save of her career, helping PHS play to a 0-0 draw with crosstown rival Hun School. more

DUAL THREAT: Aspen Swanson scoops up the ball in action last spring for the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team. This fall, junior Swanson has been stepping up for the Hun field hockey team. Last Wednesday, Swanson scored the lone goal for the Raiders as they fell 2-1 to Pennington in overtime. Hun, which lost 3-2 to Penn Charter (Pa.) last Friday to move to 2-3, plays at the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) on September 28 before hosting Stuart County Day School on October 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Her left thigh was heavily taped, but Aspen Swanson kept racing up the field as the Hun School field hockey team battled Pennington last Wednesday.

With Hun trailing the Red Hawks 1-0 in the fourth quarter, Swanson was moved from her usual defender spot into the Raider attack and ended up scoring a goal with 1:42 left in regulation. more

HEADY PLAY: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player Todd Devin heads the ball in a game earlier this season. Senior midfielder Devin scored the lone goal for PDS as it fell 5-1 to Lawrence High last Thursday. The Panthers, who lost 3-1 to Steinert last Saturday to move to 3-3, play at Hamilton West on September 26 before hosting Hopewell Valley on October 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team bringing a 3-1 record into its game against Lawrence High last Thursday, Todd Devin and his Panther teammates were looking to build on the progress they have made since enduring a rough 3-16-1 season last fall.

“We have improved a lot from last year, we didn’t score a goal until well past halfway of the season,” said senior midfielder Devin. “Last year, we didn’t have an identity. This year we are creating our identity and we are learning. In the past two years, we didn’t have a lot of the ball so we know how to play without the ball. With coach [Gary] Roberts coming in, we are getting an identity with the ball. We are working on getting the ball off of our feet quicker with more patterns of play and ways to create chances on goal.” more

By Bill Alden

 

Having scaled down its match schedule this fall, the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis team is hoping that extra training time will lead to some high level play as the season unfolds.

“This is our second year in the conference (the Colonial Valley Conference), we have reduced the number of matches from what we played last year,” said PDS head coach Michael Augsberger. “That will give us a little more time to work on things we need to improve on in practice. I think that we are in a good position to compete for the sectional, just like in the last couple of years.”

The Panthers showed some improvement as they nearly toppled perennial CVC powerhouse WW/P-South on September 12, falling 3-2 to the Pirates. more

MAY DAY: Stuart Country Day School field hockey Maya Dev dribbles the ball in recent action. Senior co-captain Dev has helped lead the Stuart back line as the Tartans have gotten off to a promising 4-3 start. Stuart will be playing at the Hun School on October 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Maya Dev is paying forward some support she received as an underclassman in taking a leading role on the back line for the Stuart Country Day School field hockey team this fall in her senior campaign.

“The seniors that I had when I was a freshman and a sophomore were good at communicating,” said co-captain Dev. “That is something I want to be for the team. When I was a freshman, I was playing on defense and I wasn’t really sure where to go. Having someone there to help guide you is really important. It helps you behold your confidence because you know that there is someone there to help you.” more

To the Editor:

I am grateful to live in as bicycle-friendly a town as Princeton, and I enjoy biking to day care and work with my 1-year-old son in his trailer a few times a week. As a cyclist I strive to be visible and to follow the rules of the road, as I expect cars to do, and I generally feel safe.

However, within the past few weeks we’ve had several close calls at the intersection of Terhune Road and Jefferson Road, when drivers heading west on Terhune have run or almost run their stop sign as I came downhill with the right-of-way on Jefferson. There are no sight-line issues at this corner, and it’s difficult to understand how these drivers haven’t seen us coming down the hill with our bright colors, lights, and trailer flag.  more

To the Editor:

I’m writing in support of Ari Meisel as a candidate for the Board of Education. Ari is a problem solver who is deeply invested in our school system and our community, and I believe that he will be a capable addition to the Board.

You may have heard Ari described as an “efficiency coach.” I didn’t fully understand what that meant when I first met Ari a few years ago, but I’ve come to understand that it involves helping entrepreneurs and C-level executives become better managers and navigate challenging periods for their businesses. This is often during a time of growth or transition, and Ari’s role involves digging into the details of a business and finding ways to improve systems and operations, whether it be by leveraging technology (one of Ari’s favorite topics), by hiring or delegating in a strategic way, or by teaching his clients to be more effective managers and communicators. From my perspective, that is a pretty ideal skill set to bring to the management of a system as important as our school district.  more

To the Editor:

We hear a lot of talk against immigrants and immigration these days, but too often we fail to remember that, many times, people come to this country seeking refuge from violence and persecution. They have a right to apply for asylum, in accordance with UN Conventions and U.S. law, but there is little assistance available to help them navigate a complex system of rules and forms to seek asylum. Many are desperately looking for a better, safer life for themselves and their children; they contribute to our communities, filling important gaps in employment and adding the richness of their cultures to our lives.

The recent ICE raid in Princeton reminds us that a number of Solidaridad volunteers first came together six years ago, in response to a series of pre-dawn raids at immigrant neighbors’ homes. We are grateful that our elected representatives spoke out against the most recent action and that community members mobilized to ensure that our neighbors in Princeton knew their rights.  more

To the Editor:

Driving over the years has gotten more and more dangerous. Car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. Getting a call that a loved one has gotten into an accident can be a traumatic experience. I experienced this twice (in March 2023 and April 2024) when my mom called to inform me that my dad got into an accident and the car he was driving got totaled. Luckily there were no fatal injuries, but the thought that something worse could have happened still lingers. Recently another crash at the same intersection was brought to my attention — hence the call to action to create awareness among the community and to find a solution to avoid further crashes.

Both the crashes, coincidentally, happened at the four-way intersection of Rollingmead, Snowden Lane, and Hamilton Avenue. This intersection only has two-way stop signs and has blind spots. Contributing factors also include overgrown shrubs, and no indicators stating that the incoming traffic does not stop. In both instances the car coming from Hamilton Avenue did not fully stop and resulted in a multi-vehicle crash including my dad’s car and, in both instances, he was not at fault. This intersection has been noted by residents as the most dangerous intersection in town. Princeton has many pedestrians and cyclists going through the various intersections, and we need to make them safer before we have more accidents. more

To the Editor:

I am writing as a 14-year resident of Princeton, mother of three (college and two at PHS), longtime community and school volunteer, and current Board of Education member.

I am running for reelection to the BOE because experience matters. My background makes me uniquely qualified among the other candidates running to assist our schools from the very first day. With an MBA from Columbia, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter, and over a decade’s work experience in finance, I am well-qualified to manage financial oversight of the district. I currently co-chair the Personnel committee and sit on the Operations and Long-Range Planning committees. I have served as treasurer for the JP PTO, Nassau Nursery School, and Friends of the Library and on the town’s now disbanded Citizens Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC), among other volunteer positions.  more

To the Editor:

As Asian parents in Princeton, we are deeply invested in the education and future of our children. This year, we have the opportunity to elect two candidates to the Board of Education who not only reflect our values, but also bring personal experiences that resonate with our community. Shenwei Zhao and Lisa Potter come from different paths, but both are united in their dedication to supporting the diverse needs of Princeton’s students.

Princeton’s Asian population makes up close to 20 percent of the town’s residents. Our community is growing, with families from China, India, Japan, Korean, Taiwan, and other Asian nations contributing to Princeton’s rich cultural landscape. Zhao and Potter are shining examples of how leadership can reflect the diversity of our town and support the unique needs of families like ours. more

Edward “Ted” P. Bromley Jr.

Edward “Ted” P. Bromley Jr., beloved family member and all-around good person, died peacefully on May 25 at Pennswood Village in Newtown, PA. He was 87.

Ted was born in Philadelphia, PA, to Ruth Hancock and Edward P. Bromley and was the eldest of three children. He earned a BE from Princeton University in 1958 and an MBA from Harvard in 1961. He subsequently served in the U.S. Army for two years.

Ted met his wife, Barbara Broomhead, at a mixer in Boston. They were soon married and in the following 62 years had three children followed by four grandchildren.

Ted found professional satisfaction and success in a series of different jobs. He started out as a stock analyst, then changed directions to become the CFO for Mohr Orchards followed by becoming the president of North American Lace. He ended his career as an investment advisor for U.S. Trust. He worked well into his 70s simply because he liked his clients and associates and enjoyed the time he spent with them.

It was Ted’s love for family and friends that gave him his greatest satisfaction. Every year on Ted and Barbie’s wedding anniversary, Ted would write Barbie a poem that contained bad rhyming and terrible puns but always delivered smiles and laughter. He also loved inventing games to play with his children and grandchildren.

Ted loved travel, forecasting the weather, geography, architecture, and all things French. But spending a day on Silver Lake in the Poconos with his family and friends sailing, playing games, and enjoying the scenery is what he loved the most.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara; his brother James Bromley; his three children Tad Bromley (Dawn Reitz-Bromley), Lisi Bromley, and Brinton Bromley (Kerry Smisek); as well as four grandchildren Sky Walker, Emilie Bromley, Flynn Walker, and Nora Bromley.

A service for Ted will be held at Trinity Church in Princeton, NJ, on October 19 at 2 p.m. Gifts to honor Ted can be given to The Watershed Institute (thewatershed.org) or Compassion and Choices (compassionandchoices.org).

———

Fred Panitz, MD, JD

Fred Panitz 90, of Sheffield, MA, and Sarasota, FL, died peacefully at his home in Sheffield on September 14, 2024.

Fred was born in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Joseph and Jeanette Panitz who immigrated from Poland.

He earned a BA from Brooklyn College, and his MD degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He completed his medical training at Philadelphia General Hospital, and an Internal Medicine residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in New York.

Fred married his first wife, Joyce Fishman Panitz, before reporting for his Army service as a Captain in Heidelberg, Germany.

They then returned to New York where he took a Cardiology residency at the same VA Hospital.

In 1965, he joined an Internal Medicine practice in Hightstown,  NJ, and was a founder of Hightstown Medical Associates with doctors Bernard Ghitman and Julius Richter.

With Bernie, Fred began the Hightstown Planned Parenthood clinic, using donated space, and an all-volunteer staff.

He also served on the Hightstown Board of Health.

Fred married Elaine Beguin Panitz, MD, in 1977.

After retiring in 1989, he earned his JD degree from Rutgers University School of Law. Fred thereafter assisted in medico-legal cases in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

They moved to Sheffield, where Fred served on the Sheffield Board of Health.  He and Elaine were instrumental in founding the Volunteers in Medicine clinic in Great Barrington, MA, which provided free care for uninsured workers.

Fred was predeceased by his parents, his sister Elaine Panitz Epstein, and his first wife.

Besides his beloved wife Elaine and their son, David, Fred is survived by his sons from his first marriage, Eric and Daniel (Amanda), and grandchildren Ty, Seraphina, and Hudson.

A graveside service will take place at Pine Grove cemetery, in Sheffield, MA, on September 25, 2024.

September 18, 2024

Reenactors march past observers on Sunday at the annual day of history-themed activities at Princeton Battlefield State Park, hosted by the Princeton Battlefield Society. Attendees share what they learned at the event in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)

By Donald Gilpin

Ratcheting up their search for a permanent leader, the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) Search Committee was set to meet on Wednesday, September 18 with two lead search consultants from School Leadership LLC, a Long Island-based firm hired last week.

Four firms were interviewed by an ad hoc BOE committee, and the BOE noted that School Leadership, which has led many superintendent searches for school districts in the New York metropolitan area over the past 20 years, “had the best combination of search experience as well as familiarity with the Princeton Public Schools.”

One of the lead consultants, Martin Brooks, who has served as superintendent in several Long Island communities, led the Tri-State Consortium, an alliance of public school districts of which Princeton is a member, for 16 years, and in that time he visited Princeton five times.  more

By Donald Gilpin

About 35 local residents, seeking to sharpen the community’s focus on civil rights, have founded a new organization called Civil Rights Princeton (CRP).

“Civil Rights Princeton is a citizens advocacy group intending to serve the cause of civil rights in Princeton, as a sounding board and information source, and, when needed, an advocate and mediator for victims of discrimination in our community,” wrote Walter Bliss, a member of the group and a longtime local resident.

So far the committee has been meeting monthly with an agenda generated mostly by questions brought up by members of the group.

“We’re brand new,” said Lew Maltby, CRP chair and chief organizer. “Nobody knows we’re here. We think that once people know we’re here, they’ll bring complaints to us.” Individuals with concerns, questions or complaints should contact CRP at maltbyadr@gmail.com, he added. more

By Anne Levin

Noom, the digital health and wellness company known for its psychology-based weight loss program, has moved into a 9,000-square-foot space at 1 Palmer Square. The company also has offices at 5 Penn Plaza in New York City.

Last Thursday, September 12, was move-in day for the company, coinciding with its introduction of Noom GLP-1 Rx, which combines an injectable weight loss drug with a way to taper off of it.

The program “addresses the biggest real-world problems with GLP-1s: poor persistence and lean muscle mass loss,” said Chief Executive Officer Geoff Cook in a press release. “Evidence demonstrates the vast majority of people, six out of seven, are not on these medications forever. They lose lean muscle mass and regain the weight, risking conditions like sarcopenic obesity, leaving them potentially worse off than before they started the medication. People need affordable access to these important medications, and then they need an offramp off of them. We designed Noom to be that offramp. Our goal is not to sell more medications; it’s to achieve sustainable, lasting weight loss for our members.” more

FOR THE JOY OF SINGING: Members of the Princeton Society of Musical Amateurs gather each month to sing choral works under the batons of area conductors. There are no rehearsals or auditions, and all are welcome to sing or just listen.

By Anne Levin

At its founding in 1935, the Princeton Society of Musical Amateurs (PSMA) was a small club, hosted by Princeton University’s Music Department. At informal Sunday afternoon meetings, about 20 people gathered to sing selections of choral literature. Accompaniment was by a single pianist.

These days, the PSMA boasts 266 members. An invited orchestra accompanies most works, which span the choral repertoire to include requiem masses by Brahms, Mozart, and Faure; Handel’s Messiah; and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, to name a few. Guest conductors from local choruses and choirs lead each gathering. A programming committee plans each season. more