November 15, 2017

“A Quiet Defiance” Exhibit At Princeton Day School

“A QUIET DEFIANCE”: The photographs of Katie Orlinsky are featured in “A Quiet Defiance: The Women’s War in Mali,” an exhibition running November 20 through December 14 at the Anne Reid ’72 Art Gallery at Princeton Day School. An artist’s reception will be held on November 28 from 12:30 to 1 p.m.

The Anne Reid ’72 Art Gallery at Princeton Day School presents the photographs of Katie Orlinsky in an exhibition titled “A Quiet Defiance: The Women’s War in Mali,” on view from November 20 through December 14. There will be an artist’s reception on Thursday, November 28 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. more

“The Art of Period Dress” At Prallsville Mills

THE ART OF PERIOD DRESS: Professionals will lecture and present hands-on workshops to help participants make elements of 18th century clothing on November 17 and 18 at Prallsville Mills in Stockton. (Photo by Brandyn Charlton)

The Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area together present the second program in the conference series, “The Art of Period Dress.” Popular 1770s clothing lectures and workshops return in “The Art of Period Dress, Part 2,” on November 17 and 18 at Prallsville Mills in Stockton. more

Westminster Choir Invites Audience to “Listen”

By Nancy Plum

Westminster Choir College has experienced its share of uncertainty in the last couple of years, but one constant has been the quality of the choral education and ensembles on campus. The premiere chorus, the Westminster Choir, draws together the most select Choir College students to tackle intricate and complex music for concerts both locally and on tour worldwide. Conducted by Westminster Director of Choral Activities Joe Miller, the Westminster Choir presented a very challenging program of a cappella choral music this past Sunday afternoon in the Choir College’s Bristol Chapel. Entitled “Listen,” Sunday’s performance invited the sold-out audience to “find the voice within us” through some very contemporary music.  more

The Importance of Men’s Health Awareness Is The Focus of Area Health Professionals

By Jean Stratton

It’s an age-old adage that men don’t always like to ask directions when driving. Not always true, of course, but just often enough to have become something of a stereotype.

Increasingly, however, the question is do the guys take proper care of their health? Do they hesitate to make doctors’ appointments, hoping whatever symptom they have will just go away? Are they reluctant to admit concerns over feelings of anxiety or depression — perhaps out of worry that it indicates waning masculinity or self-reliance? Do they attempt to ignore a persistent ache or pain, cough, etc. thinking it’s not a big deal? more

PHS Boys’ Cross Country Takes 2nd at Group Meet, Earning Chance to Defend Meet of Champions Title

GROUP LEADER: Princeton High boys’ cross country runner Will Hare heads to the finish line on the way to taking first in the Boys’ Varsity race at the Mercer County Championships in late October. Last Saturday, senior star and Penn-bound Hare took another title, placing first at the state Group 4 meet in Holmdel Park. Hare’s performance helped PHS take second in the team standings and qualify for the Meet of Champions on November 18 at Holmdel. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In 2016, the Princeton High boys’ cross country team cruised to the title in the Group 4 state championship meet, easily outpointing runner-up Cherokee.

Last Saturday, PHS dropped to second at this year’s Group 4 meet as Kingsway raced to the title but head coach Jim Smirk had no qualms with the effort he got from his runners. more

Steel City

Members of the Pure Insurance Steelers celebrate after winning the championship game of the Princeton Junior Football League’s (PJFL) junior division (ages 8-10) last Sunday. The Steelers defeated Cardinals 27-7 in the title contest as Travis Petrone rushed for three touchdowns to lead the way. Pictured in the top row, from left to right, are coaches Jonathon Lebouef, James Hendershot,  and Jason Petrone. In the middle row, from left, are Hayden Kostopolis, Colton Monica, Braden Barlag, Travis Petrone, Kellen Murdock, and Alexander Paul. In the bottom row, from left, are Eli Salganik, Ian Lansky, Nolan Maurer, Alex Lebouef, and Alec Lansky.

After Getting Promoted to Varsity in October, Petruso Stars for PHS Boys’ Soccer in Sectionals

NICK OF TIME: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Nick Petruso flies after the ball in recent state tournament action. Last Wednesday, freshman striker Petruso, who was called up to the varsity team in October, scored two goals to help third-seeded PHS edge second-seeded Monroe 2-1 in the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional semis. Petruso and the Little Tigers went on to edge top-seeded and defending Group 4 champion Hunterdon Central 1-0 in overtime in the sectional final on Friday. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Nick Petruso started the fall playing on the freshman squad for the Princeton High boys’ soccer program.

It didn’t take long for the precocious striker to move up the ranks. Dominating at the freshman level and then starring for the junior varsity, Petruso ended up on the varsity team by October. more

November 8, 2017

Democracy in Action

DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: Princeton residents prepared to cast their votes at Community Park Elementary School yesterday morning. This year’s election included candidates for governor, State Senate, State Assembly, Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, County Sheriff, Princeton Town Council, and the Princeton Board of Education. (Photo by Erica M. Cardenas)

Behrend, Deutsch, Tuck-Ponder Win School Seats

By Donald Gilpin

Voters elected Beth Behrend with 3,199 votes, Jess Deutsch with 2,983 votes, and Michele Tuck-Ponder with 2,773 votes on Tuesday to fill available seats for three-year terms on the Princeton Board of Education, according to unofficial results at press time.

Joining the Princeton Municipal Council in January for three-year terms will be Democrats David Cohen and Leticia Fraga, winning 5,604 and 5,570 votes respectively in their unopposed campaigns. Current Council members Bernie Miller and Jo Butler will be stepping down on January 1. more

Princeton & Slavery Project Launches Website

Lawrence Charles B. Samuel Stanhope Smith 1750–1819, Class of 1769, President 1795–1812.

By Doug Wallack 

On Monday, November 6, the Princeton & Slavery Project—an initiative of Princeton University—launched its website as a means of publicizing its ongoing research into the University’s relationship with the institution of slavery. Visitors to the site can find over 80 articles that, for instance, tease out the links between the fortunes of the University’s early benefactors and slavery, or examine the slave holdings of University presidents, trustees, and other affiliates. Also included online are hundreds of primary documents, data visualizations and maps that track the proportional enrollment of southern students at Princeton, and video documentaries in which students and alumni reflect on their own families’ relationships to slavery.  more

Rider Sends Layoff Notices To Westminster Faculty, Spurring Union to Take Action

By Anne Levin

With the potential sale of Westminster Choir College (WCC) still pending, Rider University sent layoff notices last week to Westminster’s teaching staff informing them that the music school could close if the transaction does not go through.

Despite a letter to the University community from Rider president Gregory Dell’Omo stating that the notice was provided only “as part of a larger process intended to secure the future of WCC,” the Rider chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) isn’t buying it. The chapter responded this week with an open letter to Dell’Omo asking that the University “change direction” from a plan to sell Westminster, with which it merged in 1992, to an unnamed, for-profit company that operates K-12 schools in Asia. (See this week’s Mailbox for the full text of the letter.) more

Crowded Public Schools Prepare Referendum, Construction Plans

By Donald Gilpin

With 1,620 students, 200 over capacity, at Princeton High School (PHS); John Witherspoon Middle School 100 over capacity; elementary schools full; and further growth predicted at all levels; Princeton Public Schools (PPS) are planning a facilities referendum for next year.

“We need to prepare, and we need to prepare now,” said PPS Superintendent Steve Cochrane.

Proposed expansion could include a three-story addition at PHS, a new community school for fifth and sixth grades at the Valley Road site, upgrades at all six schools, a new space for administration and transportation, space for a preschool center, and possibly plans for a future elementary school. more

Nonprofit Group Files Plans To Renovate Robeson House

HONORING ROBESON AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Paul Robeson’s birthplace at 110 Witherspoon Street is to be renovated as a permanent tribute to the actor and activist, as well as a community resource for nonprofits. (Photo by Douglas Wallack)

By Anne Levin

When historian Shirley Satterfield leads tours of the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, she makes it a point to stop at five sites related to actor and activist Paul Robeson. One of them is Robeson’s birthplace, a simple house at 110 Witherspoon Street.

“What amazes me,” Satterfield said this week, “is how many people never heard of Paul Robeson — even students from Princeton University.” more

Arrest in Santander Bank Robbery

An arrest has been made in the Santander Bank robbery that occurred on October 26 in Princeton. Detectives investigating the incident developed information through witnesses who recognized the suspect, now identified as a 50-year-old resident of Hillsborough. Information from Princeton detectives was reviewed along with other information that came as a result of a multi-agency effort between Princeton Police, Franklin Township Police, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Hillsborough Police, and the FBI.  more

Planning Board Approves Bike Plan, Removes West Drive From Master Plan

By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton Planning Board voted unanimously last Thursday night to adopt Princeton’s first official Bike Mobility Plan. “After many decades of patient pushing, and two long years of intensive civic engagement, history was made,” the Princeton Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) announced.

Councilman Tim Quinn, who is also a Planning Board member and liaison to the BAC, described the landmark decision as “the most significant milestone in our efforts to put pedestrians and cyclists in Princeton on the same footing as motorists.”  more

Diplomacy, Not War

On Sunday, November 5, the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) held a rally for Diplomacy, Not War with North Korea and Iran in Hinds Plaza, Princeton. This rally coincided with nationally-organized events this week in support of diplomacy. Approximately 80 people attended, and speakers included The Rev. Robert Moore of the Coalition for Peace Action, Princeton University physicist Rob Goldston, and several others.

Lunada Bay Tile Makes Habitat for Humanity Donation

Lunada Bay Tile, as part of its ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity, has donated a range of back-splash tiles to Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County and Greater Trenton-Princeton for resale in a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

This year, Lunada Bay Tile donated close to 200 pallets of different styles of back-splash tiles to the Habitat ReStore located in Maple Shade. This year’s additional donations should bring estimated total retail value of more than $1 million. The ReStore in Maple Shade now has the product on its floor for 75 percent off its original retail value.  more

Under the Influence: In Russia With Chekhov Looking Toward America

By Stuart Mitchner

With Russian hacking, Russian interference, and the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution dominating the news, it’s a time to look at another, less insidious side of the U.S.-Russia dynamic. If you extend the possibilities inherent in “hacking” and tweak “interference” as “influence,” then anyone in this or any other country who has been susceptible to the work of Russian writers, artists, and composers has been “hacked.” At 18, I was drunk on the novels of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy and the symphonies of Shostakovich, fascinated, thrilled, exalted, under the influence. A lifetime later one of my most trusted sources of positive influence is a Russian whose work was of little interest to me then. more

Katherine Boo Speaking At McCosh November 8

In the second annual Distinguished Teaching Lecture in Service and Civic Engagement, journalist and author Katherine Boo will discuss “Field Notes From An Ethical Minefield” and the lessons she has learned in 25 years of investigating injustice in dis-empowered communities. This public lecture will take place in McCosh Hall’s Room 50 at 6 p.m. on November 8. more

Immigration Issues And Free Legal Advice

Free legal advice on immigration and other issues will be offered to all interested people on Wednesday, November 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the second floor Conference Room at the Princeton Public Library. The Ask-a-Lawyer Program is co-sponsored by the Latin American Task Force, the Princeton Public Library, and the Mercer County Bar Association.

Ask-a-Lawyer began in 1999 to meet the need expressed by the local Latino community and is offered quarterly by the Latin American Task Force of Princeton. Local attorneys volunteer their time to provide individual consultations. The lawyers will answer questions in their areas of expertise as much as possible, and make referrals when necessary.  more

Scenes From the 2017 Princeton Half Marathon

Jim McGreevy to Speak On Prison Reentry

Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevy, executive director of the Jersey City Employment and Training Program, will address the importance and success of prison reentry efforts in a lecture at Mercer County Community College (MCCC).

“New Jersey Reentry” will be the subject of McGreevy’s lecture at noon on Tuesday, November 21 in the Communications Building, Room 109. His talk is part of MCCC’s Fall 2017 Distinguished Lecture Series at the West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. The lecture is free and open to the public. more

Triple Digits

Mae W. Smith, who lived for 25 years in Montgomery Township, celebrated her 100th birthday on October 27 in Easton, Maryland, where she has lived since 1972. While living in the greater Princeton area, Smith was active in the Griggstown Reformed Church, and worked as a volunteer for the Princeton Red Cross. She celebrated her 100th birthday with her son, Richard D. Smith of Rocky Hill (pictured), and numerous friends and relatives from near and far.

Landon Jones Moderates Arm in Arm Benefit

The 2017 Arm In Arm fall benefit “People, Poverty, and the Power to Overcome” is Wednesday, November 15, at Cherry Valley Country Club in Skillman. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a panel conversation moderated by Landon Jones, author and former managing editor of People magazine.

Panelists are Johannes Haushofer, assistant professor of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University; The Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen, pastor of Trenton’s Westminster Presbyterian Church and 2017 Community partner-in-residence at Princeton University’s PACE Center for Civic Engagement; and Marygrace Billek, MSSW, director of the Mercer County department of human services. more

UMCP Exhibit Features Napple Landscapes

“AUGUST”: This painting is among others by Hopewell native Deb Strong Napple that will be exhibited at the University Medical Center of Princeton from November 13 through February 2018. A reception to mark the opening of “From New Jersey to Arizona and Back” is on Friday, November 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

University Medical Center of Princeton (UMCP) will host a wine and cheese reception on Friday, November 17 to mark the opening of “From New Jersey to Arizona and Back,” an exhibit of paintings by Hopewell native Deb Strong Napple. more