December 27, 2017

PDS Boys’ Hoops Showing Fighting Spirit, Ready to Challenge Foes at Prime Time Event

YOUNG GUN: Princeton Day School boys’ basketball player Freddie Young, left,  jumps around a defender in recent action. Last Sunday, freshman standout Young scored 22 points in a losing cause as PDS fell 76-59 to Friends Central (Pa.) in the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Pa.) tournament. The Panthers, now 3-4, are next in action when they compete in the Prime Time Shootout at Trenton Catholic Academy from December 27 and 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton Day School boys’ basketball team went 0-2 at the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Pa.) tournament last week, Kerry Foderingham liked what he saw from his players.

“I was very excited and pleased with how we played, especially our last game,” said PDS head coach Foderingham, whose team fell 70-62 to the Solebury School (Pa.) last Friday and then lost 76-59 to Friends Central (Pa.) two days later. more

December 20, 2017

Klezmer Music In The Square

KLEZMER MUSIC IN THE SQUARE: The Odessa Klezmer Band performed festive dance music in Palmer Square on Thursday evening at the annual lighting of the Menorah. The event also featured special guest speakers and refreshments including doughnuts, and latkes with applesauce. (Photo by Erica M. Cardenas)

State Committee Approves Controversial Trenton Project

By Anne Levin

New Jersey’s State Leasing and Space Utilization Committee Monday approved a controversial state office buildings project in Trenton that has been vigorously opposed by some city residents, business owners, and some members of the local government. The three-member committee voted unanimously to allow the development plan for state office buildings, which would tear down two existing government buildings and relocate them outside of the central downtown area. more

Signing On The X

Princeton Day School senior student-athlete Luke Franzoni  enjoys the moment as he signs a National Letter of Intent to attend Xavier University and play for its Division I baseball program. Pictured with Franzoni in the front row are his parents, Paul Franzoni, Sr. and Lauren Franzoni. In the back row, from left to right, are Head of School Paul Stellato, Associate Director of College Counseling Cindy Michalak, and Director of Athletics Tim Williams.

Fracking Impacts Infant Health, New Study Reveals

By Donald Gilpin

A recent study, co-authored by Princeton University Economics Professor Janet Currie, reveals significant increases of health risks for infants born to mothers living within two miles of a hydraulic fracturing (fracking) site.

“Given the growing evidence that pollution affects babies in utero, it should not be surprising that fracking, which is a heavy industrial activity, has negative effects on infants,” said Currie, who directs the Center for Health and Wellbeing at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. more

Coalition for Peace Action Holds Holiday Vigil, Program in Princeton

By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) held a Candlelight Vigil for Diplomacy, Not War in Palmer Square last Thursday, followed by a Peace Potluck and a Peace Program at the Nassau Presbyterian Church. About 20 people braved the cold weather for the vigil, and more than 50 overall participated in the evening’s events.

CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Bob Moore, who for 40 years has been organizing for peace full-time, expressed mixed feelings of hope and apprehension in the face of recent events. In particular, he emphasized “momentum toward this war with North Korea,” citing experts who claim that the prospects of a nuclear war are “chillingly realistic.” more

Bridging the Urban/Suburban Divide Is the Goal of Crossing Borders Program

READING AND SHARING: People & Stories’ Crossing Borders program at the Bo Robinson facility in Trenton has been as rewarding for participants, including Libby Rainey, far left, and Ted Fetter, far right, as it has for clients.

By Anne Levin

For the past 31 years, People & Stories has been pairing clients of the Rescue Mission of Trenton, the Albert M. “Bo” Robinson Assessment & Treatment Center, and other Trenton facilities, with trained volunteers for reading, discussion, and sharing of literary short stories. Chief among the organization’s initiatives is Crossing Borders With Literature, which aims specifically to bridge gaps between members of the urban and suburban population. more

Camp Bow Wow Sponsors Training Of a Service Dog for a Veteran

A VETERAN’S BEST FRIEND: Jeff Mullins, a veteran who has suffered from PTSD and an officer of Rebuilding Warriors, credits his service dog, Zoey, with helping him cope with civilian life.

By Anne Levin

A year and a half ago, the Lawrence Township dog daycare Camp Bow Wow held a small fundraiser for Rebuilding Warriors, a nonprofit that matches service dogs with veterans diagnosed as amputees and those with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). The event raised some money. And it made Louise McKeown, the camp’s owner, think about doing more. more

FreeB to Expand Service Starting in January

The FreeB bus will start the New Year with a new schedule on January 2. The enhanced service combines the previous commuter and neighborhood schedules into one expanded route for residents of Princeton and the greater community.

The new schedule will offer additional routes in the morning, making it possible for people who live and work in Princeton to commute by public transportation. It also provides service later in the day, enabling riders who live in communities such as Elm Court, Redding Circle, and Princeton Community Village to have transportation home from work and community events in the evening. Early morning service to the Dinky Station for those who wish to transfer to NJ transit train service will continue.  more

FreeB to Expand Service Starting in January

The FreeB bus will start the New Year with a new schedule on January 2. The enhanced service combines the previous commuter and neighborhood schedules into one expanded route for residents of Princeton and the greater community.

The new schedule will offer additional routes in the morning, making it possible for people who live and work in Princeton to commute by public transportation. It also provides service later in the day, enabling riders who live in communities such as Elm Court, Redding Circle, and Princeton Community Village to have transportation home from work and community events in the evening. Early morning service to the Dinky Station for those who wish to transfer to NJ transit train service will continue.  more

PHS Junior Emily Becker Leads Swim Initiative for Princeton Kids

SWIMMING INITIATIVE: Emily Becker, left, founder and lead instructor of the Princeton Youth Swimming Initiative, encourages her students, Euphemia and Jordan Tejeda, in the Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center pool.

By Donald Gilpin

Working as a lifeguard and teaching swimming lessons to campers at Community Park (CP) pool in the summer of 2016, Emily Becker, now a Princeton High School (PHS) junior, observed several children in the pool who could not swim. She spoke with the children and learned that typical swim instruction was too expensive for them to participate. more

Trenton’s Patriots Week Celebrates Revolution

More than 35 events will take place in Trenton during Patriots Week, the annual commemoration of the city’s crucial involvement in the Revolutionary War. It has been 241 years since the Battle of Trenton saved the cause of the Continental Army and the American Revolution in 1776.

Planned are battle reenactments, planetarium shows, lectures, historic tours, and more. The famous battle will be reenacted on Saturday, December 30 at 11 a.m. A Revolutionary Pub Crawl is led by the Trenton Downtown Association on December 27, with Colonial dress welcome. The Capital Singers of Trenton will perform on December 30, and the New Jersey Capital Philharmonic closes out the week on New Year’s Eve with a concert at the War Memorial auditorium. more

Career Development Program For Students With Disabilities

Advancing Opportunities, Inc. has announced a new program that will provide support to students with disabilities attending Mercer County Community College who are interested in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Selected students with STEM-related majors will receive enhanced services to help them pursue their career goals. more

“Past Looking Forward” at PDS Art Gallery

“SAVE THIS I”: This painting by Charles Bryan is part of “Past Looking Forward,” an exhibition featuring the work of Bryan and Diana Weymar at the Anne Reid ’72 Art Gallery at Princeton Day School. The exhibition runs from January 8 through February 1, with an artist’s reception on January 12 from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

The Anne Reid ’72 Art Gallery at Princeton Day School will present “Past Looking Forward,” featuring the work of artists Charles Bryan and Diana Weymar, from January 8 through February 1. There will be an artists’ reception on Friday, January 12 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. more

“Naturally Inspired” at Lambertville’s Artists’ Gallery

“CLOSE ENCOUNTER”: This watercolor painting by Beatrice Bork is part of “Naturally Inspired,” an exhibit also featuring the work of Bill Jersey, Maxine Shore, and Joe Kazimierczyk. The exhibit will be at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville from January 4 through February 4, with an opening reception on January 7  from 1-4 p.m.

Fine artists Bill Jersey, Maxine Shore, Beatrice Bork, and Joe Kazimierczyk explore the great outdoors through their unique interpretations in “Naturally Inspired,” an exhibit at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville running January 4 through February 4. All are invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, January 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. more

“Open Call Exhibit” at Gourgaud Gallery

“RED BERRIES:” Linda Gilbert’s acrylic painting will be featured in the Gourgaud Gallery’s ninth annual “Open Call Exhibit,” running January 7 through January 26. A reception with refreshments will be held on Sunday, January 7 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Gourgaud Gallery will present its ninth annual “Open Call Exhibit” from Sunday, January 7 through Friday, January 26. The theme is trees and plants. An opening reception with refreshments will be held on Sunday, January 7 from 1 to 3 p.m.  more

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Presents Inventive Performance of Classic Handel Work

“All good things come to those who wait,” so goes the saying. The audience for New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s Friday night concert at Richardson Auditorium had to wait a bit for the orchestra to arrive through the snow, but following the late start, orchestra, chorus, and soloists presented a well-informed performance of George Frideric Handel’s perennial Christmas holiday favorite, Messiah. NJSO Music Director Xian Zhang took a unique and creative journey through a work which is enjoyable in any form, but so much more fun with an imaginative approach to performance practice. more

Children’s Choir Cantus Performed at White House

A WHITE (HOUSE) CHRISTMAS: Cantus, Westminster Conservatory Children’s Choir, and conductor Patricia Thel recently performed holiday songs at a White House event for diplomats. This was the ensemble’s seventh White House holiday performance since they were first invited to perform in 1999.

Cantus, Westminster Conservatory’s Children’s Choir, and its conductor, Patricia Thel, performed at a White House holiday reception on December 6. more

Stars Fell on Alabama: David Lynch, Doug Jones, and the Twin Peaks Connection

By Stuart Mitchner

When Doug Jones beat Roy Moore in Alabama’s special election last week, viewers who had lived and died, thrilled and chilled, yawned and dreamed through all 18 episodes of Twin Peaks: The Return felt a transcendental connection to the happy outcome. If we were smiling it was not only because a principled man defeated a scoundrel, it was knowing that a miracle was in the stars even before the allegations against Moore saturated the news. Given the power of the narratives and counter narratives circulating on television and the internet, we knew the impossible was possible.  more

Lady Bird: Saoirse Shines as Rebellious Teen in Coming-of-Age Adventure

By Kam Williams

Saoirse Ronan is only 23 and has already been nominated for an Academy Award twice: for Brooklyn (2015) and Atonement (2005). Now, she’s certain to land another nomination for her memorable performance as the title character in Lady Bird.

It’s hard to say whether three times will prove to be the charm for her, since this has been a banner year for actresses, with powerful performances turned in by competitors like Sally Hawkins, Frances McDormand, and Meryl Streep. Win or lose, Ronan deserves all of her accolades for her performance in a very demanding role as a tormented teen constantly in crisis.  more

Determined to Refocus After 3 Game Skid, Princeton Men’s Hoops Defeats Monmouth

PUTTING IN MYLES: Princeton University men’s basketball player Myles Stephens drives to the hoop in recent action. Last Saturday, junior star and tri-captain Stephens chipped in 16 points and four assists as Princeton defeated Cal Poly 80-60 in improving to 4-6.  Stephens, who had 19 points and eight rebounds in a 69-58 win over Monmouth on December 12, was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week. After playing at Southern Cal on December 19, the Tigers head across the Pacific Ocean to compete in the Diamond Head Classic from December 22-25 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

For Myles Stephens and his teammates on the Princeton University men’s basketball team, their 71-60 defeat at George Washington earlier this month proved to be a wake-up call. more

Gussen Providing Production, Leadership As Hun Boys’ Hoops Deals With Tough Foes

MAX EFFORT: Hun School boys’ basketball Max Gussen looks to unload the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Thursday, senior forward Gussen scored 14 points but it wasn’t enough as Hun lost 67-57 to the Perkiomen School (Pa.). The Raiders, who fell 69-58 to The Master’s School (N.Y.) on Saturday to drop to 2-7, are next in action when they host the Academy of New Church (Pa.) on January 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Max Gussen took a hit early on as the Hun School boys’ basketball team hosted the Perkiomen School (Pa.) last Thursday evening.

“I was a little off because I had the bloody nose in the beginning of the game so that took me off rhythm,” said senior forward Gussen. “Coming back I felt pretty good.” more

Senior Goalie Gorelenkov Comes Up Big As PDS Boys’ Hockey Edges Delbarton

LOCKED IN: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey goalie Boris Gorelenkov prepares to stop a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, Gorelenkov made 24 saves as PDS edged perennial powerhouse Delbarton 1-0. The Panthers, who defeated Rye Country Day (N.Y.) 7-0 last Thursday to improve to 6-3, are next in action when they host their annual Harry Rulon-Miller Invitational from December 29-30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Boris Gorelenkov realized that the Princeton Day School boys’ hockey team faced a major challenge as it hosted perennial powerhouse Delbarton last Wednesday.

“We knew that they were a team that has won 95 percent of their games over the last 10-15 years,” said PDS senior goalie Gorelenkov. more

Senior Star Spaulding Hits 1,000-point Milestone As Stuart Hoops Rolls to 60-35 Victory over PDS

GRAND MOMENT: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Jalynn Spaulding dribbles upcourt in recent action. Last Wednesday, senior guard Spaulding eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in her career as Stuart rolled to a 60-35 win over Princeton Day School. Spaulding scored 15 points in the victory to give her 1,008 points in her career. The Tartans, who improved to 5-1 with a 45-19 win over New Hope-Solebury High (Pa.) last Friday, are next in action when they host their annual Stuart Invitational Tournament from December 26-29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jalynn Spaulding knew she was seven points away from reaching the 1,000-point mark in her career as the Stuart Country Day School basketball team hosted Princeton Day School last Wednesday but she wasn’t focused on that milestone. more