June 6, 2018

Women’s Soccer Star Gregoire, Quarterback Kanoff Earn Princeton’s Top Senior Athletic Awards

LEGENDS OF THE FALL: Princeton University women’s soccer midfielder Vanessa Gregoire, left, and football quarterback Chad Kanoff are shown in action last fall. The two senior standouts won the major awards when the Princeton University Department of Athletics held its Gary Walters ’67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet at Jadwin Gym. Gregoire earned the C. Otto von Kienbusch Award as the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete while Kanoff received the William Winston Roper Trophy as the Outstanding Senior Male Athlete. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Women’s soccer midfielder Vanessa Gregoire and football quarterback Chad Kanoff produced record-breaking campaigns last fall as they culminated their Princeton University careers.

Gregoire and Kanoff were both named the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year in their respective sports. more

Prevailing in Epic Battle Against East Orange, PHS Boys’ Track Wins Group 4 State Title

GROUP EFFORT: Members of the Princeton High boys’ track team show off the plaque they earned for winning the state Group 4 state title last Saturday at Franklin High. PHS scored 81 points to edge runner-up East Orange, which totaled 76. It marked program’s first outdoor Group state title since 1981. PHS is next in action when its athletes compete in the Meet of Champions in June 9 at Northern Burlington High.

By Bill Alden

For the Princeton High boys’ track team, its quest for the state Group 4 title last weekend turned into a two-horse race with perennial power East Orange.

By the end of action on Friday in the two-day competition at Franklin High, PHS was clearly in the mix for the championship. more

Sparking PDS Baseball With Hitting, Leadership, Senior Star Franzoni Enjoyed Superb Final Season

IN THE ZONE: Princeton Day School baseball player Luke Franzoni takes a swing in a game this spring. Senior star and Xavier University-bound Franzoni produced a superb final campaign for PDS, batting .538 with 28 hits, 29 runs seven doubles, four triples, 10 homers, and 25 RBIs in 18 games. His heroics helped the Panthers go 8-11 and advance to state Prep B semifinals. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into this spring, Luke Franzoni was ready to shoulder more responsibility for the Princeton Day School baseball team.

“Clearly we lost some key guys from last year with seniors like Paul [Franzoni], Ryan [Sparks], Chase [Fleming], and Zach [Dudeck],” said the 6’2, 175-pound Franzoni, an infielder/pitcher. “I just wanted to come in with a positive mindset being a senior this year, knowing I am going to be a leader.” more

May 31, 2018

Maya Lin’s “Princeton Line” Will Take Shape Adjacent to Lewis Arts Complex Next Month

COMING SOON: It may look like a huge pile of dirt on the slope down from the new Lewis Arts complex, but the space will be transformed during the next month into an earthwork installation titled “The Princeton Line,” created by internationally-acclaimed artist Maya Lin.

By Donald Gilpin

Just past the Dinky Bar & Kitchen and the Cargot Brasserie, across from McCarter Theatre on a slope extending down from the new Lewis Arts complex, lies a large expanse of dirt enclosed by orange barriers and a metal fence.

“Coming Soon, Maya Lin” reads a sign on the fence, and within the next month that huge dirt space will be transformed into an earthwork installation titled “The Princeton Line,” the latest creation by the internationally-acclaimed artist who first achieved recognition for her design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. more

May 30, 2018

Up in Arms

Members of the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team celebrate after they defeated Rancocas Valley 9-8 in the Group 4 Central Jersey sectional final last Thursday. The Little Tigers, who improved to 13-10 with the win, were slated to face South Jersey Group 4 champion Clearview (14-6) in the state Group 4 semis on May 29 with the victor advancing to the title game on June 2. For details on the victory over Rancocas Valley, see page 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Beta Bike Lanes Win Mostly Positive Reviews

By Donald Gilpin

Experimental bike lanes on Wiggins Street from the Princeton Public Library along Hamilton Avenue to Walnut Lane and Chestnut Street have provoked a range of responses, mostly positive, from cyclists and others.

The lanes will remain on the road through June 12, as road data continue to be collected. “A report analyzing the data will be presented at the June 25th Council meeting,” said Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert, “ and at that same meeting, Council will discuss next steps.” more

Immigration Meeting Participants Strategize To Support LALDEF

By Donald Gilpin

Against a national backdrop of continuing conflict over immigration laws and practices and the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a group of about 70 business owners, academics, and other residents met last Wednesday at the Nassau Street Presbyterian Church to hear from an array of speakers and express their support for the immigrant community.

At the second annual “stakeholders” meeting, sponsored by the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) and the Princeton University Center for Migration and Development (CMD), featured speakers included LALDEF leaders; two students, one a Princeton University senior who is a DACA recipient, partnering with Princeton University and Microsoft in a national lawsuit, the other a Princeton Day School junior participant in LALDEF’s FUTURO program for first and second generation immigrant students; and two experts on immigration, Princeton University Professor Rosina Lozano and CUNY Professor Alberto Vourvoulias, former deputy editor of Time magazine’s Latin America edition.  more

Springdale Golf Club Looks to Future, Affiliates With Nassau Swim Club

By Anne Levin

There is significant history on the grounds of Springdale Golf Club. Right around the fairway of the fifth hole, George Washington’s troops are said to have camped prior to the historic Battle of Princeton in 1777.

But the current focus at Springdale is on the future — specifically, appealing to a broader base of the community.
Central to that mission is a new agreement with Nassau Swim Club, which is nestled in woods within walking distance of the golf club. more

Happy Trails

The Mercer County Park Commision’s Naturalist Department invites the public to celebrate National Trails Day June 2 and 3 with a sensory hike in Mercer Meadows and a “Give Back the Trails” walk at Baldpate Mountain. For more information, visit mercercountyparks.org.

Celebrating a Life

The fourth annual Ralph Copleman Neighborhood Bike Ride, honoring the late environmental advocate and founder of Sustainable Lawrence, is Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to noon (the original date was June 3). Meet at Lawrence High School/Middle School parking lot, 2491 Princeton Pike, for the family-friendly, free ride. Visit lawrencetwp.com for information.

The Future of PARCC Testing Is Subject of Community Forum

By Anne Levin

The controversial PARCC tests will be the focus of a community meeting on Monday, June 11 from 7-9 p.m. in the John Witherspoon School cafeteria. Save Our Schools NJ and The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) are hosting the roundtable, to which 120 free tickets will be allotted for parents, students, educators, and other interested community members.

PARCC stands for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. The standardized assessment, adopted during the administration of former Gov. Chris Christie, requires high school students in the class of 2020 and beyond to take PARCC exams in order to graduate, and students in the class of 2021 and beyond to receive a four or higher on the 10th grade English Language Arts and Algebra 1 PARCC exams in order to graduate. more

Campout Under the Stars At St. Michaels Farm Preserve

In partnership with D&R Greenway, Hopewell Borough invites the public to the Hopewell Community Campout at St. Michaels Farm Preserve on Saturday, June 23, into Sunday, June 24, in the field in front of the Charles Evans Overlook.

Parking will be in the field across aunt Molly Road, and tractor rides to camp sites will be provided. Participants need not be Hopewell residents, but everyone must register before the event.  more

Princeton-Blairstown Center Recalled With Humor, Candor

MEMORIES OF CAMP: Last week, alumni of the Princeton-Blairstown Center got together for a panel discussion at Princeton Public Library in honor of the center’s 110th anniversary. From left are Romus Broadway, Eric Craig, author Kitsi Watterson, Shiriey Satterfield, and John Broadway.

By Anne Levin

When Pam Gregory heard that Kathryn “Kitsi” Watterson’s 2017 book I Hear My People Singing included reminiscences from Princeton residents who attended summer camp at the Princeton — Blairstown Center, of which she is president and CEO, she rushed over to Labyrinth Books to buy a copy.

Last week, four of those former campers — Shirley Satterfield, Romus Broadway, Eric Craig, and John Broadway — appeared with Watterson at Princeton Public Library in a panel discussion about their experiences at the 110-year-old summer program that provides free, adventure-based experiences for vulnerable youth. An exhibit about the center is on view in the library’s Princeton Room through the end of July. more

Responsible Jewellery Council Recertifies Hamilton Jewelers

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that Hamilton Jewelers, 92 Nassau Street, has achieved re-certification meeting the ethical, human rights, social, and environmental standards as established by the RJC’s Member Certification System. Hamilton is the first family-owned jeweler to achieve this certification.

Through an independent audit of Hamilton’s business practices, polices, management systems, workplace safety policies, and employment practices, Hamilton has once again received the recertification. The RJC is an international body, based in London, which seeks to raise the overall compliance, procedures, and ethics of the jewelry industry.  more

EASEL Hosts Hannah Shaw, The Kitten Lady

On June 16 at 4 p.m. at Rider University in Lawrenceville, Hannah Shaw, “The Kitten Lady,” will be conducting her Tiny but Mighty Workshop. The event will present an overview of issues impacting cats and kittens, such as: how to set up your home to make fostering cats and kittens safe and fun; how to properly feed, clean, and provide medical care; behavioral information; how to handle various scenarios involving moms with their babies, feral kittens, and more.

“This is hard work, but it’s absolutely attainable and anybody can save lives if they just dedicate themselves to doing so,” says Shaw.  more

“A Game So Grand and Beautiful” — Philip Roth On Writing and Baseball

By Stuart Mitchner

One of the photos of Philip Roth (1933-2018) published with last week’s New York Times obituary was taken at Princeton in 1964. He’s leaning on a table, his head propped on one hand. Dressed in a suit and tie, he’s looking less like a writer-in-residence than a weary ballplayer, Hank Greenberg all dressed up in civvies after a grueling game. The check-out desk and display case in the background suggest that the photo was taken at Firestone Library. Roth is 31, in the last year of his two-year teaching stint at the University.

According to Sylvia Tumin, this was around the time Roth was “breaking up with Maggie,” his first wife, with whom he had been living in a small ranch house that used to occupy the corner of Mountain Avenue and Bayard Lane. Writing in response to my August 20, 2008 column “The Diamond as Big as America: A Whirlwind Tour of Philip Roth,” Sylvia informed me that during his time at Princeton Roth had been a close friend of her husband, sociologist Melvin Tumin, the inspiration for the protagonist of The Human Stain (2000). more

School Matters: Week of May 30, 2018

JWMS Festival of World Cultures

John Witherspoon Middle School (JWMS) will be celebrating its diverse cultural and ethnic heritage at the first JW Festival of World Cultures on Thursday, May 31 from 6-8 p.m.

JWMS students will be sharing their heritage through music, cultural performances, food, fashion, and more at the festival, free and open to the community at the school. more

Princetonians Invited to Share Their Stories

Princetonians are invited to share their stories as part of Voices of Princeton, a community-based oral history project that aims to collect, share, and archive stories and memories. The project is a collaboration between the library, the Historical Society of Princeton, the Arts Council of Princeton, and the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society.

Everyone is welcome to participate, whether they are a lifelong Princetonian or new to the area. Voices of Princeton histories are recorded in an interview format in which two people who know each other conduct a guided conversation, with one person serving primarily as the interviewee and the other as the interviewer. more

Art of the Pour At WWAC June 16

“CONTINUUM”: Illia Barger will give an artist presentation at the West Windsor Arts Council’s Art of the Pour event on Saturday, June 16, from 4-7 p.m. at the West Windsor Arts Center. Barger is known for her many murals in the Princeton and Trenton area as well as for her flower paintings. The mural pictured here can be found in downtown Princeton.

The West Windsor Arts Council (WWAC) presents its second annual Art of the Pour event featuring wine education, tastings, and an artist presentation on Saturday, June 16 from 4-7 p.m. at the West Windsor Arts Center. This year the WWAC is joined by Illia Barger, known for her many murals in the Princeton and Trenton area as well as her masterful flower paintings.  more

“Moni and the Sphynx”

The work of multimedia artist Swoon and others is featured in “Multiple Ones: Contemporary Perspectives in Printmedia.” Now at the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, the exhibition runs until September 2.

A Concert Under the Stars at Updike Farmstead

The Historical Society of Princeton will host its seventh annual “Concert Under the Stars” fundraiser on Saturday, June 9, from 6:30 – 10 p.m. at the Updike Farmstead. This year’s event will feature live performances by two Nashville-based artists: Chas Collins will perform on the mainstage and Sheridan Gates, who grew up in the Princeton area, will provide porch-side opening entertainment.

Baxter Construction, Charles Schwab, PNC Wealth Management, Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty, H1912, Mrs. G’s, McCaffrey’s Markets, MacLean Agency, Princeton Online, and Bank of Princeton are all major event sponsors. Jammin’ Crepes will serve a dinner menu, prepared with local ingredients. Local craft beers and a selection of wines will be available as refreshments. more

Girding for Round Three Against Columbia, PU Men’s Lightweights Seeking IRA Crown

LIGHTS OUT: Members of the Princeton University men’s lightweight third varsity eight celebrate their win at the Eastern Sprints earlier this month. Princeton came up big at the Sprints as the varsity eight took second with second varsity placing third and the fourth varsity coming in first along with the 3V. The Tigers are hoping for another strong performance this weekend as they take part in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta at Mercer Lake in West Windsor from June 1-3. (Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

Over the course of the spring, the Princeton University men’s lightweight varsity eight has separated itself from just about all of its competition.

In regular season action, Princeton’s top boat posted victories over Yale, Harvard, Cornell, Penn, Dartmouth, Navy, and Georgetown, among others. more

Featuring a Mix of Depth, Competitive Fire PU Men’s Heavyweights Primed for IRAs

HEAVY MEDAL: The Princeton University men’s heavyweight second varsity eight celebrates after earning gold earlier this month at the Eastern Sprints. It was one of four medals earned by Princeton at the competition held on May 13 in Worcester, Mass. as the fourth varsity placed first with the third varsity and fifth varsity both coming in second. Tiger rowers will be looking for more medals this weekend as they compete in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) national championship regatta at Mercer Lake in West Windsor from June 1-3.(Photo Courtesy of Princeton’s Office of Athletic Communications)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton University men’s heavyweight varsity eight just missed earning a medal at Eastern Sprints earlier this month, the crew showed it can compete with any boat in the nation.

“It was an awesome race. It was one of those things in rowing that you don’t get to see very often where there were three boats there and it was a drag race in the last 500 meters,” said Princeton head coach Greg Hughes, whose top boat placed fourth in its final at 5:58.728 over the 2,000-meter course with Brown coming in third at 5:58.232, Harvard taking second in 5:58.072, and Yale posting a winning time of 5:54.668. more

Adding Another Chapter to Historic Campaign, PHS Boys’ Track Wins Outdoor Sectional Crown

HISTORIC EFFORT: Members of the Princeton High boys’ track team celebrate after they won the Central Jersey Group 4 championship meet last Saturday at Howell High. Displaying its depth and talent, PHS cruised to the title, piling up 105 points with runner-up Franklin coming in at 63. It marked the first outdoor sectional title for the program since 1989. The Little Tigers will go for another title when they compete in the state Group 4 meet from June 1-2 at Franklin High.

By Bill Alden

Earlier this month, the Princeton High boys’ track  produced a breakthrough performance when it won the Mercer County outdoor championship meet for the first time since 1982.

Last Saturday, PHS added another chapter to its historic 2018 campaign, cruising to first place at the Central Jersey Group 4 championship meet, earning the program’s first outdoor sectional crown since 1989. more

DeMilt Comes Through With Game-winner As PHS Girls’ Lax Takes Sectional Crown

DEVIL OF A TIME: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Kathryn DeMilt, middle, draws a crowd of Rancocas Valley defenders as the teams met in the Group 4 Central Jersey sectional
final last Thursday. Junior attacker DeMilt scored the winning goal as top-seeded PHS prevailed 9-8 over the second-seeded Red Devils, overcoming an 8-3 second half deficit. The Little Tigers, now 13-10, were slated to face South Jersey Group 4 champion Clearview (14-6) in the state Group 4 semis on May 29 with the victor advancing to the title game on June 2.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The hopes of a sectional title for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team rested on the stick of Kathryn DeMilt.

With top-seeded PHS locked in an 8-8 tie with second-seeded Rancocas Valley in the Group 4 Central Jersey sectional final last Thursday, PHS junior star midfielder DeMilt was awarded a free position opportunity in front of the Red Devil goal with 1:50 left in regulation. more