August 28, 2024

Orchestra Returns to Stage of Richardson Auditorium

BACK AT RICHARDSON: Violinist Aubree Oliverson is the soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra on the inaugural weekend of its 2024-25 season at Richardson Auditorium. Rossen Milanov conducts. (Photo by Nick Bayless)

On September 14-15, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) opens its 2024-25 season celebrating Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov’s 60th birthday. Violinist Aubree Oliverson makes her debut with the PSO as soloist in performances of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35. Also on the program are Gemma Peacocke’s Manta, performed with members of the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey, and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98.

Milanov conducts the concerts on Saturday, September 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 15 at 4 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium. He also hosts a 3 p.m. pre-concert talk, free to ticket holders, before the Sunday performance. more

French Theater Festival on Princeton Campus

EN FRANCAIS: Nasi Voutsas, left, and Bertrand Lesca in “L’Addition” by Tim Etchells, part of the “Seuls en Scene” French Theater Festival at Princeton University September 12 to 22. (Photo by Christophe Raynaud de Lage)

Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, Department of French and Italian, and L’Avant-Scène will present the 13th edition of Seuls en Scène French Theater Festival from September 12 to 22 at venues across the University’s campus. Most performances and talks will be in French, some with English supertitles. All events are free and open to the public, however tickets are required for performances.

Seuls en Scène ushers in the 24th season of L’Avant-Scène, a French theater troupe of Princeton students. It also celebrates professional theatrical achievements from the past year: many of the invited artists to Seuls en Scène are prominent contributors to contemporary theater in France. The festival is organized by Florent Masse, professor of the practice in the Department of French and Italian and artistic director of L’Avant-Scène, and presented in collaboration with the 53rd Edition of Festival d’Automne in Paris and new partner Festival d’Avignon. more

Winners Announced at MC Senior Art Show

“ANGEL OF THE GRASSLAND”: This photograph by Rebecca DePorte of Princeton was named Best in Show, non-professional, in the 2024 Mercer County Senior Art Show, on view through September 9 at The Conference Center at Mercer on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor campus. 

A professional juror has selected the winners from 136 entries in this year’s Mercer County Senior Art Show, which is being held through September 9 at The Conference Center at Mercer on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor campus. The exhibition can also be viewed at mercercounty.org.

Each year, the Mercer County Office on Aging and the Division of Culture and Heritage partner to produce the Mercer County Senior Art Show. All first-place winners from the County show will advance to the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show, which will be held in October. more

William Christine Solo Exhibition at SFA Gallery

“NOVEMBER LIGHT”: This oil painting by William Christine is part of “William Christine/YARD WORK,” on view September 5-29 at the John Schmidtberger SFA Gallery in Frenchtown. An opening reception is on September 7 from 5-8 p.m.

“William Christine/YARD WORK,” a solo exhibition featuring oil paintings and watercolors by Bethlehem, Pa.-based painter and teacher William Christine, will be on view September 5-29 at the John Schmidtberger SFA Gallery in Frenchtown. An opening reception is on Saturday, September 7 from 5-8 p.m.

Christine received his MFA degree from Brooklyn College, City University of New York. He has taught at Messiah College, De Sales University, and Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, and Parsons School of Design in New York. In 2003 he was honored with a solo exhibition of his Grand Canyon paintings at the Allentown Art Museum. This is his first exhibit at SFA Gallery.

SFA Gallery is located at 10 Bridge Street in Frenchtown. Hours are Thursday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

For more information, visit sfagallery.com or call (908) 268-1700.

“Visions” Solo Exhibit at Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury

“BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK”: This acrylic on canvas work by Linda Gilbert is featured in “Visions,” her solo exhibition on view September 6 through September 27 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury.

The Cranbury Arts Council will present the paintings of Linda Gilbert in “Visions” September 6 through September 27 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury.

Gilbert is the chairperson of the Gourgaud Gallery and has been a member of the Cranbury Arts Council since 2011. This is her fifth solo show, and the third solo show at the Gourgaud Gallery. more

“Rock Pond”

“Pastel Perspectives: An Exploration of the Sourlands Mountain Region,” featuring paintings by Julia Doemland, will be on view at The Present Day Club, 72 Stockton Street. An opening reception is on Friday, September 6 from 5-7 p.m., and after that the exhibition will be open to the public every Friday from 12-5 p.m. through October 4.

“Celebrate to Elevate” Fundraiser for Arts Incubator

New Jersey Arts Incubator (NJAI), a new arts nonprofit, is hosting its premier fundraiser, “Celebrate to Elevate,” on October 5 at 862 Route 518 in Montgomery Township. While the focus of the fundraiser is introducing NJAI and its mission to support the arts in the community, the event will also feature several prominent local artists, and present the launch of NJAI’s inaugural public art project, “Barn Quilts of Central Jersey.”

NJAI has a dual mission. First, to elevate working artists through the “incubation” of artist brand identity, business development, strategic relationships, and strengthening avenues of revenue so that working artists can thrive and continue to be vibrant contributors to their communities. Secondarily, the NJAI is committed to more directly elevating the arts in the community by hosting hands-on arts classes for a range of populations, from youth to adult amateurs, from high school portfolio preparation to programs for seniors.  more

A Family Business Serving New Jersey, Expert Chimney & Roofing Offers Quality Work

NEW LOOK: A new roof provided a handsome new look to this house in Hamilton. Expert Chimney & Roofing is known for its expertise in chimney, roofing, and masonry work.

By Jean Stratton

A new chimney? A new roof? New front steps?

If any of these are on your list, Expert Chimney & Roofing is at your service.

Headquartered at 0-02 Fair Lawn Avenue in Fair Lawn, this family business was opened in 2000 by Myrtezan Iseberi. Today his two sons, Eric and Tony, are the owners, and along with their brothers, are continuing what their father began.

“This is a real family business,” they explain. “Our father entrusted it to us. There are four brothers and our nephews working together, and also on different crews depending on the job that day. We help people all over New Jersey with our quality service.” more

PU Men’s Soccer Focusing on Shoring Up Defense As it Prepares for 2024 Season Opener at Rutgers

NEE-JERK REACTION: Princeton University men’s soccer player Nico Nee gets ready to boot the ball in a game last fall. Senior forward Nee, who tallied three goals and five assists last season to earn Second-Team All-Ivy League honors, will be looking to produce a big final campaign for the Tigers. Princeton opens its 2024 season by playing at Rutgers on August 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As it went 1-4-2 in Ivy League play last fall, the Princeton University men’s soccer team yielded 3.25 goals a game in its league setbacks.

Looking ahead to the program’s 2024 campaign, which starts on August 30 when Princeton makes the short trip to Rutgers, Tiger head coach Jim Barlow’s top priority is getting sharper play on the back line. more

Displaying Resilience in Rolling with the Punches, Tiger Women’s Soccer Edges Miami 1-0 in Opener

SPECIAL K: Princeton University women’s soccer player Kayla Wong, right, defends a foe in a game last fall. Last Saturday, sophomore midfielder Wong picked up an assist and helped key a strong defensive effort as Princeton defeated Miami 1-0 in its season opener. The Tigers will look to keep on the winning track when they host Seton Hall on August 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

If Saturday’s season opener is any indication, it could be a very good — albeit unpredictable — season for the Princeton University women’s soccer team.

The Tigers used players in different spots than they’d been accustomed to in the past, were missing two stars to begin with, got thinner with a key injury minutes into the game, didn’t possess the ball the way they would like to, and yet still posted a 1-0 win over a visiting Miami team that had two games under its belt and unveiled a new style that took Princeton by surprise. more

After Stellar Postseason Run in His Sophomore Season, McCarroll Primed to Star this Fall for PU Men’s Water Polo

LOGAN’S RUN: Logan McCarroll gets ready to unload the ball in action last fall in his sophomore season for the Princeton University men’s water polo team. McCarroll scored 28 goals with seven assists in 2023 to help Princeton go 28-6 and make the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA semis since the tournament was expanded in 2015. McCarroll will look to be a greater offensive threat this season as the Tigers open their 2024 campaign by playing in the Navy Invitational from September 7-8 in Annapolis, Md. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

For Logan McCarroll, a skiing injury to his older brother led him to get into water polo as a 10-year-old.

“My family used to be a whole bunch of skiers, we had a house in Mammoth and we used to go up there every weekend to ski,” said McCarroll, a native of Laguna Beach, Calif.

“My sister (Lela), brother (Larsen), and I were all on the Mammoth ski team, we competed doing that every year. My older brother tore his ACL skiing and he got into water polo. I watched a few of his practices and that is how I ultimately started with water polo.” more

Facing a Gauntlet of Local Foes This Season, PHS Football Aiming to Keep on Winning Track

AIRING IT OUT: Princeton High football quarterback Travis Petrone fires a pass in a game last season. Senior star Petrone, who threw for 564 years and six touchdowns in 2023, is primed to trigger the Tiger offense this fall. PHS opens its 2024 campaign by playing at Lawrence High on August 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High football team having gone 5-4 last year to post its first winning season since an 8-2 campaign in 2014, the bar has been set higher this year.

PHS will be facing much stiffer competition this fall as it will be resuming matchups against such local foes as Allentown, Trenton Central, Hamilton West, Ewing, Nottingham, and Robbinsville. more

After Capping her Mercer Rowing Career at Henley Regatta, PHS Grad, Star Coxswain Zammit Headed to Stanford Crew

GIFT OF GAB: Gabrielle Zammit makes a call from her coxswain spot as the Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA)/Mercer Junior Rowing men’s varsity eight competed at the Royal Henley Regatta in England earlier this summer. Recent Princeton High grad Zammit helped the Mercer boat advance to the quarterfinals of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley. Zammit will be continuing her crew career this fall as she joins the Stanford University men’s rowing program. (Photo provided by Gabrielle Zammit)

By Bill Alden

Heading into middle school, Gabrielle Zammit’s athletic focus centered on the ice rink.

“My whole family is like a huge ice hockey family,” said Zammit, whose older siblings Alexa and Victoria starred for the PHS girls’ hockey team while John was a mainstay for the Tiger boys’ program. “I started skating as soon around I could walk and then I played through middle school.” more

August 21, 2024

“Worth The Wait”

The new Graduate Princeton, which has its entrance on Chambers Street, has doubled the number of hotel rooms in town. (Photo by Andrew Frasz)

Newly Opened Graduate Hotel Drawing Crowds

By Anne Levin

Michael Monarca

Michael Monarca worked in the hotel industry for nearly three decades before switching to real estate. Tired of commuting to hotels in New York and around the world from his home in Princeton, Monarca spent 10 years selling houses for Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty, near his home in town. From time to time, a colleague from his years at Manhattan’s Marriott Marquis would reach out to him about getting back into the hospitality business.

“I would tell him, jokingly, “Build a hotel in Princeton and then we’ll talk,’ ” said Monarca, who is the general manager of the new Graduate Princeton, which opened officially last week on the corner of Nassau and Chambers streets. “He’s now the president of Highgate Hotels, which manages this hotel. So here I am.”

To say the past few weeks have been a whirlwind for Monarca would be an understatement. Orchestrating the opening of the much-anticipated 180-room hotel — the first in Princeton since The Nassau Inn opened nearly 90 years ago — has been a round-the-clock endeavor. For the past month, Monarca has even spent nights in different rooms around the hotel.  more

Health Authorities Weigh In as Fall Virus Season Approaches

By Donald Gilpin 

COVID-19 cases have seen an increase over the summer months, according to Princeton Deputy Administrator/Director of Health Jeff Grosser, but case numbers are lower than they were last year, and the Princeton Health Department is preparing for the upcoming fall season, when respiratory disease infections are likely to rise.

Grosser described a “dual seasonality” for COVID-19 with infections peaking twice a year, once in the summer and rising again in our area in November to reach a high point in January before subsiding.

At Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Chief Medical Officer and VP of Medical Affairs Dr. Craig Gronczewski reported COVID-19 infections on the rise both nationally and regionally, but noted little impact at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. “In fact our inpatient COVID-19 census is relatively low, ranging between two to five inpatients the prior few days,” he wrote in an August 20 email. “We may even anticipate a downward trend over the next 30 days.” more

Landon Jones Recalled As Brilliant, Curious, “Always a Gentleman”

A FRIEND TO MANY: Landon Jones, shown here in his younger years, is remembered by friends for his many unique qualities. (Photo courtesy of the Jones family)

By Anne Levin

To his many friends, Landon “Lanny” Jones, who died Saturday, August 17 at the age of 80, had a natural gift for connecting people and exploring new paths and interests.

A graduate of Princeton University’s class of 1966, Jones was a writer and former editor of People magazine, the Princeton Alumni Weekly (PAW), and Money magazine. His most recent book, Celebrity Nation, was published in 2023. A complete obituary is on page 27.

“Lanny was a unique and loyal friend,” wrote Michael Mathews in an email. “He knew everyone and was generous in making connections among his friends. Though intensely competitive in tennis and squash, he was always a gentleman. Lanny was intellectually curious and anxious to explore new paths. He continued asking questions to the end. He will be missed by so many.” more

New Center at Stuart Focuses on Holistic Approach to Learning

READY FOR SCHOOL: Celebrating the completion of the new Cor Cordis Center for Exceptional Leadership at Stuart Country Day School are, from left: Julia Wall, head of school at Stuart; Paul Meyer, W.S. Cumby Construction; Bill Cumby, CEO of W.S. Cumby Construction; Darren Malone, director of facilities and sustainability at Stuart; Paul Teti, co-chair of the Stuart Board of Trustees; Woodney Wachter, co-chair of the Stuart Board of Trustees; and Beth Marks, director of development at Stuart.

By Anne Levin

Thanks to an aggressive construction schedule, a new student services hub at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart will make its debut on the opening day of school, September 4. The Cor Cordis Center for Exceptional Leadership takes its name from the Latin for “heart of hearts,” and it is designed to be exactly that — the heart of the school.

The center is more of a reimagining than a reconstruction. Architects Hone + Associates used the existing footprint of the two floors surrounding the school’s “Stairway of Intellectuality” to modernize and centralize the space. The goal was to foster a collaborative approach to teaching courses and providing guidance related to prioritizing students’ well-being. more

Princeton Democrats Ramp Up for Harris, Meet for Convention Final Night Festivities

By Donald Gilpin

Charged up over the candidacy of Kamala Harris with only 78 days until Election Day, Princeton Democrats are hosting a Convention Night Watch Party Fundraiser this Thursday, August 22 at 7:30 p.m. They are urging supporters to “watch history in the making” on a big screen, as Harris accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination for president.

“We’re going to watch the convention from 7:30 onwards and see Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech live,” said Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) President Nick DiDomizio, who noted a significant boost in excitement over the past few weeks.

“I definitely saw a lot of enthusiasm after Biden stepped out of the race and Vice President Harris became the presumptive nominee,” DiDomizio said. “Before that there were a lot of people who were on the fence, and they weren’t willing to step in.” more

Princeton Montessori’s Parenting Podcasts Offer Practical Advice, Creative Solutions

By Donald Gilpin

Young children and their parents might find levels of excitement, anticipation, and anxiety rising as August winds down and the last weeks of summer approach, but Princeton Montessori School (PMonts) has a plan.

PMonts has initiated “Growing Together: A Montessori Approach to Parenting,” a series of podcasts of about 20 minutes each that will be addressing topics and challenges such as back-to-school separation, sleeping, eating, potty training, discipline, social-emotional issues, friendships, and more.

PMonts teachers, who will provide expert commentary on these podcasts, have found that these issues are of greatest interest to parents of their students.  more

Reading Stan Getz With J.D. Salinger and Gary Giddins

By Stuart Mitchner

The first of many things I didn’t know about tenor saxophonist Stan Getz is that I was going to be writing about him today. In February 1954 when he was arrested for holding up a Seattle drugstore, I was shocked. I was 15, just getting into jazz, and I admired Getz for his moody, lyrical playing with guitarist Johnny Smith on “Moonlight in Vermont” and for his passionate solos with the Count Basie rhythm section and an all-star cast in Jam Session 3. Eventually I came to know him best for his work on Diz and Getz, with Dizzy Gillespie, a session that had been recorded in Los Angeles three months before his arrest.

Had I known the whole story of what happened in Seattle at the time — that Getz fumbled the hold-up, fled to his room at the hotel across the street, and called the drugstore to apologize — I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much as I do now, three decades after his death. If I find myself responding to Getz’s plight Holden-Caulfield-style, as in “it killed me,” maybe it’s because it happened around the time The Catcher in the Rye came into my life. The whole thing seemed so Holden Caulfield, so J.D. Salinger. Sure, even if old Holden had been a drug addict, he’d have never been crazy enough to hold up a drugstore claiming he had a gun and then running away as soon as the woman behind the counter called his bluff. And if Holden was telling the story, it would have killed him that the lady’s name was Mary and that the first thing Getz said to her when she answered the phone was “I’m sorry for the crazy thing I did. I’ve never done anything like that before.” more

Scottish Folk Rock Group Coming to Christ Church

COMING FROM SCOTLAND: The Tannahill Weavers mix traditional Celtic music with rock and roll, bringing the highland pipes into the mix. They will perform at Christ Congregation Church on Friday, September 20 at 8 p.m.

The Princeton Folk Music Society opens its 2024-25 season with the Scottish folk rock group The Tannahill Weavers, coming to Christ Congregation Church on Friday, September 20 at 8 p.m.

The band features a combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and three-part vocal harmonies. They are known for being the first Scottish folk group to incorporate an instrument long thought to be too loud to play with other traditional folk instruments: the highland pipes. more

Sharing Their Heritage

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico comes to State Theatre New Jersey on Friday, September 13 at 8 p.m. Since the 1960s, the salsa orchestra has showcased the culture of Puerto Rico with more than 70 albums and numerous appearances. The six-piece band has earned a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award, among other honors. Tickets are $39-$229. The State Theatre is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Visit Stnj.org.

Don McLean to Appear At State Theatre NJ

AMERICAN PIE AND MORE: Don McLean brings his “Starry Starry Night Tour” to New Brunswick on September 21.

State Theatre New Jersey presents Don McLean — Starry Starry Night Tour on Saturday, September 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $34-$89.

McLean is a Grammy Award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, and a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named a Top 5 song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA). more

Call For Entries: Mercer County Photo Exhibition

“ROSEDALE LAKE TREES”: This work by Susan Hockaday was featured in the Mercer County Photography 2022 exhibition. The entry day for this year’s exhibition is on Saturday, October 5 at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Trenton’s Cadwalader Park. The 2024 exhibition will be on view October 12 through December 1.

Photographers who live, work, or study in Mercer County are invited to enter up to two photographs for consideration in the juried Mercer County Photography 2024 exhibition. The juror for 2024 is Gary D. Saretzky. Entry day is in person on Saturday, October 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, located in Trenton’s Cadwalader Park. The exhibition prospectus, which includes entry forms, is available to download from www.ellarslie.org/mercer-county-photography-2024. The entry fee is $10 per item, payable by cash or check.

Mercer County Photography 2024 opens with a reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, October 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. On view through November 24, the exhibition is a collaboration with the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.  more