October 30, 2024
By Donald Gilpin
Princeton Public Schools (PPS) has been moving towards a $89.1 million January bond referendum for expansion and renovations, and a decision on that was anticipated at Tuesday night’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting, which took place after press time. [Update: the resolution passed 9-0.]
The resolution on the table called for Princeton voters to weigh in on January 28 on a proposal to expand and upgrade school buildings at Community Park and Littlebrook elementary schools, as well as expansion and renovations at Princeton Middle School (PMS) and renovations at Princeton High School (PHS).
The proposed resolution comes in three parts, with a total tax impact estimated at $543 annually for the owner of a home at Princeton’s average assessed value of $853,136, after anticipated reductions through state aid.
The referendum, if approved by voters, would address aging infrastructure and space needs as the town anticipates about 1,000 units of new housing in the next five to seven years with additional population growth and state-mandated development on the horizon. Most of the approved new housing is being built in the Community Park and Littlebrook school zones. more
By Anne Levin
Two work sessions dominated the meeting of Princeton Council on Monday evening, October 28. The first was on the concept plan for refreshing Hinds Plaza, and the second was a discussion on removal and replacement of the two kiosks located on Nassau Street.
After hearing a progress report from municipal staff and Arterial, Inc., the consultants on the Hinds Plaza project, Council members and Mayor Mark Freda offered comments and suggestions and aired some concerns. Regarding the kiosks, which are at the intersections of Witherspoon Street and Vandeventer Avenue, the governing body directed staff to remove them while tabling the question of whether and how they should be replaced.
In his presentation, James Ribaudo of Arterial said Hinds Plaza is 20 years old and in need of refreshment and reorganization. The company has held three workshops with the steering committee dedicated to the project, as well as stakeholder meetings, and is compiling a plan based on feedback and their own observations. more
By Donald Gilpin
As climate change and its effects become a growing concern in the news and in the lives of Princeton residents, stormwater management is becoming an increasingly important challenge for municipal officials and individual citizens.
The Municipality of Princeton has invited residents, business owners, and all stakeholders to a public meeting in the Witherspoon Hall Meeting Room at 400 Witherspoon Street. and on Zoom, on Wednesday, October 30 at 6 p.m. to explore the feasibility of a stormwater utility in Princeton.
Attendees will also learn about the work the town does to comply with stormwater regulations and the benefits of stormwater management.
The Municipality of Princeton is currently in Phase 2 of a four-phase stormwater feasibility study, exploring the possibility of forming a stormwater utility to provide a dedicated funding source through user fees, similar to the sanitary sewer utility, to operate, maintain, and improve the municipal storm sewer system. more
BATTLE OF PRINCETON: John Trumbull (1756-1843) experienced the American Revolution firsthand and painted numerous heroic depictions of the war, including “The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton.” Historian Richard Brookhiser will discuss his newly released book, “Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution,” at the Nassau Club on November 6 at Princeton Battlefield Society’s first Cadwalader Lecture.
By Donald Gilpin
Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution will be the topic of the evening as award-winning historian Richard Brookhiser talks about his new book in the first Cadwalader Series Lecture, sponsored by the Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) at the Nassau Club on November 6 at 6 p.m.
Brookhiser, a senior editor at National Review and widely known for biographies of many of America’s founders, will discuss the significance and meaning of Trumbull’s works, most of which depicted events of the American Revolution and the early days of the new nation. more
By Anne Levin
Jamie Volkert
Since starting her new job last week as director of Mercer County’s new Division of Travel and Tourism, Jamie Volkert has been busy in meeting after meeting devoted to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
But Volkert, familiar to Princetonians from her 11 years working for the Nassau Inn, Terra Momo, and most recently as marketing director for Palmer Square Management, has more than the milestone anniversary on her plate.
“We also have the FIFA World Cup coming up in July 2026,” Volkert said. “They’ll be in different stadiums in this area, and it will bring travelers to Mercer County. The timing is perfect.”
Elected this past January, Mercer County Executive Dan Benson created the Division of Travel and Tourism as part of the county’s Office of Economic Development. Known for her work in Princeton as well numerous volunteering opportunities in Hamilton Township, where she sits on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Volkert was approached once the new division was formed.
“We are really excited for Jamie Volkert to join our team as we launch our new Division of Travel & Tourism,” Benson said in an email. “There is so much to see and to do here in Mercer, and as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation we have an opportunity to expand Mercer as a premier travel destination.” more
HONORED: Princeton municipal officials and staff, together with Liza Reed, daughter of the late Ingrid Reed, recently won a Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future. From left are Planning Board Chair Louise Wilson, Liza Reed, Sustainable Princeton Executive Director Christine Symington, Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic, Council President Mia Sacks, Councilmember Michelle Pirone Lambros, and Senior Planner Ian Henderson. (Photo by Reed Sacks)
By Anne Levin
Princeton’s Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village was one of several projects honored October 22 with a Smart Growth Award by New Jersey Future.
The ceremony at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, part of the 2024 New Jersey Future showcase conference, also included a posthumous Leadership Award to the late Ingrid Reed, as well as announcement of the Ingrid Reed For Our Future Fund to support education and training for future Smart Growth leaders.
“It was a special evening for Princeton,” said Princeton Council President Mia Sacks, who worked on the Terhune Harrison project along with Councilmembers David Cohen and Michelle Pirone Lambros. “The award was for sustainable planning. It’s very fitting that that’s what Ingrid was known for.” more
By Stuart Mitchner
Denizens of YouTube’s cosmic jukebox can celebrate Ezra Pound’s birthday by listening to him deliver Part I of his landmark poem Hugh Selwyn Mauberly (Life and Contacts). The reading was reportedly recorded in 1959 when he lived in Castle Brunnenburg in the Italian Tyrol, some 39 years after the poem was first published and 65 years before the 2024 election. With a few taps on the keyboard, you can go eye to eye with the old poet, who describes himself as E.P. “born in a half-savage country, out of date” — actually Hailey, Idaho Territory, U.S.A., October 30, 1885. more
HONORING VETERANS: Pianist Jeffrey Biegel is the soloist when the New Jersey Youth Symphony performs “Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue” at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Veterans Day, November 3.
The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) will present a concert to honor veterans and armed forces on Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m. at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton.
Veterans are invited to attend the concert for free by using discount code VETERAN. Tickets and more information can be found at NJYS.org.
The program features the New Jersey premiere of Peter Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue with pianist Jeffrey Biegel. Biegel commissioned Boyer to compose the piece to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the premiere of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and gave its first performance in June 2023 with the Utah Symphony. Biegel later recorded the work for the Naxos label with the London Symphony Orchestra and Boyer conducting. more
The Westminster Community Orchestra brings its first performance of the season to Hillman Hall, on the Westminster Choir College campus, 101 Walnut Lane, on Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m. Conductor Ruth Ochs, left, leads a program of music by George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, Florence Price, and other American composers; recorder player Tegan Costello, right, is soloist in Telemann’s Recorder Concerto in C. No tickets are required, but there is a suggested admission of $10. Visit rider.edu.
On Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m., the 2024-25 season of the Westminster Conservatory Faculty Recital Series will open with a multimedia presentation “山水畫 – Chinese Landscapes in Music, Poetry, and Painting.” The recital will take place in Hillman Performance Hall, 101 Walnut Lane. more
Meredith Monk
(Photo by F. Scott Schafer)
On November 12 at 4:30 p.m., Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts presents the next event in the 2024-25 Atelier@Large conversation series at Richardson Auditorium. Admission is free.
The series brings guest artists and intellectuals to campus for public discussions on the challenges they face in making art in the modern world. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and professor Paul Muldoon will be joined at the event by writer Jennifer Finney Boylan; composer, performer, director, vocalist, filmmaker, and choreographer Meredith Monk; and poet Maria Stepanova with translator Sasha Dugdale.
The Princeton Atelier, currently directed by Muldoon, was founded in 1994 by emeritus professor Toni Morrison. The Atelier brings together professional artists from different disciplines and Princeton students to create new work in the context of a semester-long course that culminates in the public presentation of that new work. Recent artists have included Stew, Laurie Anderson, the improv group Baby Wants Candy, and the Wakka Wakka Puppet Theatre. more
On Wednesday, November 20, Princeton University Concerts (PUC) will launch its Performances Up Close series, Live Music Meditation series, and Do-Re-Meet social events for music lovers with the PUC debut of the Isidore String Quartet.
PUC’s Performances Up Close programs invite the audience to sit alongside the musicians on the stage of Richardson Auditorium for an hour-long program, making for an intimate, informal, and schedule-friendly concert experience. For their 6 and 9 p.m. Performances Up Close, the ensemble will play works by Billy Childs, Henri Dutilleux, and W.A. Mozart.
Alongside these performances on November 20, patrons can also participate in a pre-concert Do-Re-Meet Speed Dating event at 7 p.m. at the historic Maclean House. more
“FORGET ME NOT”: The “Mercer County Photography 2024” Juror’s Choice Award went to this work by photographer Cheryl Bomba of Pennington. The show can be seen at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalader Park through December 1.
Nine Mercer County photographers received a total of 10 awards at the October 13 opening reception for “Mercer County Photography 2024” at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. The biennial juried show, on view in the museum through December 1, showcases a diverse array of contemporary work by photographers from throughout Mercer County. Most of the show’s 55 photographs are available for purchase.
Juror Gary Saretzky, a well-known Mercer County photographer, educator, archivist, and exhibitor, selected photographs for Best in Show, Juror’s Choice, and Honorable Mention. Ida Margicin, chief of the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, along with commissioners from the division, selected five Mercer County Purchase Awards. The Purchase Award photographs will become a part of Mercer County permanent art collection and be displayed in county buildings. more
The Arts Council of Princeton’s latest Spring Street mural is by Red Sean, the nickname for Trenton-born illustrator Sean Rynkewicz, an avid commuter cyclist who now lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Madison, who helped paint the mural. It is sponsored by Kopp’s Powered by Pedego. (Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Princeton)
“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