November 1, 2017

ACP Hosts Day of The Dead Celebration

DAY OF THE DEAD: The Arts Council of Princeton’s Day of the Dead Celebration on Saturday, November 4 at the Princeton Shopping Center will include folk arts and crafts as well as sugar skull decorating, traditional dance performances, live music, and more.

The Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton Shopping Center present the annual Day of the Dead Celebration on Saturday, November 4 from 3-5 p.m. Celebrate Mexico’s El Día de los Muertos with strolling mariachis, sugar skull decorating, face painting, folk arts and crafts, and live dance performances. Learn about the traditions of this rich cultural holiday at this free, family-friendly event. Food will be available for purchase from Surf Taco. more

Princeton Symphony Orchestra Pays Tribute To Reformation in Richardson Concert

By Nancy Plum

Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s concert this past Sunday afternoon in Richardson Auditorium was both one of collaboration and also paying tribute to the music of the past. The keynote work on the program was Felix Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony, an appropriate musical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s presentation of his world-shattering 95 Theses, but all three works presented by the orchestra looked back to previous eras.  more

Merger of Former Area Youth Hockey Leagues Creates Lawrence Nassau Hockey Association

FACE OFF: Two 11- and 12-year-old PeeWee ice hockey players face off against each other during a practice at the Lisa McGraw Ice Rink at Princeton Day School. They are now part of the newly merged Lawrence Nassau Hockey Association.

By Jean Stratton

Team play, skill instruction, sportsmanship, and competition are all part of the newly formed Lawrence Nassau Hockey Association.

Established in the spring of 2017, the association is a merger of the former Lawrence Hockey Association and Nassau Hockey Association, both youth ice hockey programs with a long history in the area. more

Squandering Late Lead in 29-28 Loss to Cornell, PU Football’s Ivy Title Repeat Hopes in Jeopardy

SEEING RED: Princeton University junior running back Charlie Volker (No. 20) takes a hard hit in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, Volker rushed for 41 yards in a losing cause as Princeton fell 29-28 to visiting Cornell. The loss to the Big Red dropped Princeton to 5-2 overall and 2-2 Ivy League, dealing a blow to the Tigers’ chances for a league title repeat. Princeton will look to get back on the winning track when it plays at Penn (3-4 overall, 1-3 Ivy) on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In its final outing this September, the Princeton University football team squandered a late 24-21 advantage on the way to a 28-24 loss to Columbia.

Last Saturday as the Tigers hosted Cornell for their last game in October, they saw another lead slip away as they started the fourth quarter up 28-16 only to lose 29-28 to the Big Red on a career-best 43-yard field goal by Nickolas Null with 48 seconds left in regulation. more

PU Men’s Hockey Tops Holy Cross in Opener As Freshman Yochim Enjoys Superb Debut

COMING OUT PARTY: Princeton University men’s hockey player Reid Yochim controls the puck last Sunday as Princeton hosted Holy Cross in its season opener. Freshman defenseman Yochim made quite a debut, tallying an assist and a goal to help the Tigers defeat the Crusaders 4-2. Princeton opens ECAC Hockey play this weekend when it hosts Colgate on November 3 and Cornell on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Reid Yochim couldn’t wait to hit the ice last Sunday for his debut with the Princeton University men’s hockey team as it hosted Holy Cross in its season opener.

“There is a lot of built up emotion and a lot of energy that has been inside of me and that is just what I try to bring out there,” said defenseman Yochim. “It was an unbelievable atmosphere and an unbelievable feeling.” more

Thriving in Reserve Role for PU Field Hockey, PDS Alumna Brennan Primed for Final Push

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton University field hockey senior defender Sarah Brennan heads upfield in action during her career for the Princeton University field hockey team. Last Saturday, former Princeton Day School standout Brennan was honored along with her classmates as Princeton hosted Cornell in its home finale and held its annual Senior Day celebration. The Tigers rolled to a 5-1 victory over Cornell, clinching a share of the Ivy League title and the league’s automatic berth to the upcoming NCAA tournament. The Tigers, now 10-6 overall and 6-0 Ivy, wrap up regular season play with a game at Penn on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although Sarah Brennan has been part of the supporting cast for the Princeton University field hockey team over the last four years, she has thrived in that role.

“I knew coming into a good program, it was going to be competitive for playing time,” said defender Brennan, a former Princeton Day School standout whose parents, Sean and Susan, are both Princeton alums. more

October 25, 2017

Farm Life: A Visit to Howell Farm

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Howell Living History Farm makes up 130 acres of farmland in and around Lambertville, New Jersey. Farming began on this site in the 1730s and has evolved from a grain producing farm to a dairy farm over the years. Many animals make up the farm including ox, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens, cats, birds, and Maggie – the overprotective Australian Cattle Dog. This past weekend special programs included a demonstration of the age-old art of herding sheep on an open range by celebrity sheepdog “Sweet” and dog trainer Gene Sheninger. Howell Living History Farm has the longest-running corn maze in New Jersey. The maze includes 4 acres and 2 miles of paths. 

Six School Board Candidates Speak Out

By Donald Gilpin

The six candidates for three open seats on the Board of Education of the Princeton Public Schools were asked to tell us again, in only about 100 words, “why we should vote for you.” The election will take place on November 7. Here are their responses: more

Leaders of the Pack

Princeton High boys’ cross country runners, Acasio Pinheiro (far right, No. 858) and Will Hare (No. 856), take off at the start of the Boys’ Varsity race at the Mercer County Championships at Thompson Park in Jamesburg last Friday. Senior star Hare placed first individually and junior Pinheiro took second to help PHS win its second straight team title at the event. For more details on the race, see page 31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Wang and Lipsitz Discuss Gerrymandering, Fixing the Distorted Democratic Process

By Donald Gilpin

“Redistricting: It’s Not Just for Political Junkies Anymore!” read the words on the screen at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Princeton Monday night, as Princeton University Neurobiology Professor Sam Wang and Queens College City University of New York Political Science Professor Keena Lipsitz explained how gerrymandering is undermining our democratic system. more

FreeB Schedule Changes Have Been Put on Hold Following Public Comment

By Anne Levin

Proposed changes to the schedule of the FreeB, which takes commuters to and from the Dinky train station and other locations in town, are being reconsidered following comments offered by members of the public at a meeting of Princeton Council Monday night, October 23. more

Israel’s Exploding Food Scene Is Focus of Jewish Center Event

WHO KNEW?: Filmmaker Roger Sherman, seen shooting a scene for “In Search of Israeli Cuisine,” was stunned to discover the country’s food scene, “the hottest, most dynamic in the world.” The documentary, preceded by a food tasting, screens Sunday at The Jewish Center of Princeton.

By Anne Levin

Roger Sherman had never been to Israel when a friend invited him, last minute, to join a food-focused trip to that country. Always looking for a new project, the Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker decided to accept the offer. more

Princeton Psychologist’s New Book: “Don’t Trust Those First Impressions”

By Donald Gilpin

“There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face,” said Shakespeare’s King Duncan in Macbeth, as he observed the execution of the traitorous, once-loyal Thane of Cawdor.

Princeton University Psychology Professor Alexander Todorov has come to the same conclusion in Face Value: The Irresistible Influence of First Impressions, his recent book that explores why we continue — irrationally, often dangerously, — to pay so much attention to faces. more

Missing Student Found Dead Near Community College Campus

The body of Nicholas Pratico, the 18-year-old student at Mercer County Community College who disappeared on September 20, was found at approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, October 23 by Hamilton Township Police with the assistance of New Jersey State Police, in the woods across from the campus on Old Trenton Road in West Windsor. more

Cloak & Dagger Books Presents “Mysterious Affair in Princeton”

New York Times best-selling author SJ Rozan will join with 10 other award-winning mystery authors, two of them from Princeton, on Saturday afternoon, November 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Solley Theater, Arts Council of Princeton for “Mysterious Affair in Princeton” — a conversation with fans on how the perfect “who-dunnit” is created. The event is hosted by Princeton’s Cloak & Dagger Mystery Bookshop, along with the local chapters of Mystery Writers of America-NY and Sisters in Crime-Central Jersey.

Rozan is the winner of numerous mystery awards, including the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony, Nero, Macavity, Japanese Maltese Falcon, and the Private Eye Writers of America Life Achievement.  more

“Shadows and Ashes” at PU’s Bernstein Gallery

ANTI-NUCLEAR RALLY: This archival photo by Gary Schoichet, taken at an Anti-Nuclear Rally in New York City on June 12, 1982, is featured in the exhibit “Shadows and Ashes: The Peril of Nuclear Weapons,” running November 6 through December 7 at Princeton University’s Bernstein Gallery in Robertson Hall. A discussion panel and reception will be held on Monday, November 13 at 4:30 p.m.

A multifaceted exhibition, “Shadows and Ashes: The Peril of Nuclear Weapons,” will open at Princeton University’s Bernstein Gallery in Robertson Hall on November 6. A discussion panel and reception will be held on Monday, November 13 at 4:30 p.m. Moderated by Princeton Professor Stanley N. Katz, the panel, “A Perpetual Menace: Nuclear Weapons Today, Tomorrow, Forever?” will be held in Arthur Lewis Auditorium (previously known as Dodds Auditorium). more

The Pennington Players Present “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”; Musical Is Based on Victor Hugo’s Novel, Uses Songs from the Disney Film

“THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME”: Performances are underway for the Pennington Players’ production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Directed by Frank Ferrara, the musical runs through October 29 at the Kelsey Theatre. Quasimodo (C.J. Carter) sings “Out There,” in which he dreams of venturing into the streets of Paris. (Photo by Kyrus Keenan Photography)

By Donald H. Sanborn III

The Pennington Players are presenting The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Kelsey Theatre. Because the musical contains adult themes and violence, the theater’s website emphasizes that it is “not recommended for children.” For audiences 13 and older, however, this writer enthusiastically recommends the show. more

Princeton University Orchestra Opens Season With Pillars of Sound

By Nancy Plum

With the opening of Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, there has been a new buzz of musical excitement in the community. One of the core University ensembles settling into the new state-of-the-art facility is the Princeton University Orchestra, which opened its 2017-18 season this past Friday and Saturday nights at Richardson Auditorium. Also celebrating conductor Michael Pratt’s 40th year leading the ensemble, the University Orchestra presented music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Mahler — works Pratt called “three sonic columns of sound” to usher in a “new era of music” at the University. more

Sheryl Lee Is Laura Palmer in David Lynch’s “Fire Walk With Me” 

By Stuart Mitchner

Writing about Twin Peaks in May of 2014, I made special mention of Angelo Badalamenti’s score, how from the first note, the mood created by his music is warm, mellow, musing, inviting, dreamily beautiful, with a subtle undercurrent of menace and dread that comes into play whenever the scene shifts to the interior of Laura Palmer’s home. Above all the music is about Laura Palmer, whose murder is what sets the machinery of the Twin Peaks project in motion with the simplistic but effective tag-line Who killed Laura Palmer? and the answer delivered toward the end of the series’ second season: her father.  more

After Making Impressive Turnaround Last Winter, PU Men’s Hockey Aiming for a Special Campaign

ON COURSE: Princeton University men’s hockey player Eric Robinson glides up the ice in action last winter. Senior forward and co-captain Robinson will be taking a leading role as the Tigers look to keep building after going 15-16-3 last season and advancing to the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals. Princeton opens its 2017-18 season when it hosts Holy Cross on October 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton University men’s hockey team started the 2016-17 campaign by going 0-6-1, it looked like the Tigers were headed for another rough winter.

After all, Princeton had won a total of just nine games (9-46-6) over the previous two seasons.

Instead, the Tigers caught fire, going 13-7-2 over the rest of the regular season with wins over seven top-20 teams to write one of the best turnaround stories in college hockey. more

Kanoff’s Sizzling Passing Performance Sets Tone, Triggering Tiger Football’s 52-17 Rout of Harvard

KAN DO: Princeton University quarterback Chad Kanoff prepares to unload the ball in recent action. Last Friday at Harvard, senior star and tri-captain Kanoff enjoyed a career game, completing his first 21 passes on the way to going 31-for-35 for 421 yards and two touchdowns as Princeton defeated Harvard 52-17. Kanoff was named as the STATS FCS National Offensive Player of the Week and the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week in the wake of his performance, which amounted to the eighth-most single-game passing yards in Princeton history. The Tigers, now 5-1 overall and 2-1 Ivy, host Cornell (2-4 overall, 2-1 Ivy) on October 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Bob Surace liked what he was seeing from his Princeton University football team on the practice field, he knows that doesn’t guarantee success on game day.

“I really felt the last couple of weeks that we have really practiced well,” said Princeton head coach Surace. more

PHS Girls’ Cross Country 2nd at County Meet, Lifted by Stellar Effort From Senior Star Taylor

TAYLOR MADE: Princeton High girls’ cross country runner Chloe Taylor shows her form last Friday on the way to taking second in the Girls’ Varsity race in the Mercer County Championships at Thompson Park. Senior star Taylor’s performance helped PHS take second in the team standings behind champion WW/P-South. The Little Tigers are next in action when they compete in the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional on November 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Coming into the fall, Chloe Taylor realized that she needed to set the pace for the Princeton High girls’ cross country team.

“I am the oldest now, before there used to be a lot of older kids there,” said senior Taylor. “There is more pressure on me to lead the team.” more

Sparked by Core of Solid Young Runners, PDS Boys’ Cross Country Making Strides

MAKING STRIDES: Princeton Day School boys’ cross country runner Kevin Dougherty competes at Boys’ Varsity race at the Mercer County Championships at Thompson Park in Jamesburg last Friday. Sophomore Dougherty led the way for PDS, taking 65th individually in a time of 18:16.96 over the 5,000-meter course. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though his Princeton Day School boys’ cross country team finished 16th of 19 teams in the Boys’ Varsity race at the Mercer County Championships last Friday, John Woodside was all smiles afterward.

“I have to say that our team’s performance for the whole year has been tremendous,” said PDS head coach Woodside. more

October 18, 2017

Buddy Miller and His Band Perform at Dad’s Request

BRINGING THE MUSIC HOME: Buddy Miller, son of Councilman Bernie Miller, performs with his band at an October 26 fundraiser for Princeton Community Housing. The award-winning musician was the executive music producer of the TV show “Nashville,” which is where he has lived for many years. (Photo by CJ Hicks)

By Anne Levin

It isn’t often that Princeton Councilman Bernie Miller asks his son, Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and producer Buddy Miller, to volunteer his services for a hometown cause. But the elder Miller recently broke with tradition, asking his son to perform at an upcoming fundraiser for Princeton Community Housing.

“My Dad has never asked me to do anything that I can think of,” said Miller in a phone interview last week from his Nashville home. “So when he does, it gets my attention.” more

New State-of-the-Art STEAM Center Initiates New Era for PDS Programs

GATHERING STEAM: The Princeton Day School STEAM Committee meets in the new STEAM Center (for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics). From left, Chief Information Officer Jon Ostendorf, Upper School Head Jason Robinson, Interim Math Chair Chip Cash, Libraries Department Chair Sheila Goeke, STEAM Coordinator Jonathan Tatkon-Coker, Head of School Paul Stellato, STEAM Committee Chair and Scientist in Residence Leon Rosenberg, Science Department Chair Jason Park, Lower School Math Teacher Jennifer Vradenburgh, and Lower School Science Teacher Aaron Schomburg. (Photo Courtesy of PDS)

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton Day School (PDS), long known for its deep commitment and strong programs in the humanities and the fine and performing arts, has recently turned its focus to the establishment of a dynamic new STEAM program, with major construction of a STEAM Center and new faculty to support it.

“We have created a program and facility that has the potential to touch and shape the experience of every kid in the school,” said Head of School Paul Stellato. “The Upper School program is designed to speak to kids who have no experience, to introduce them to the subject, and also to meet the needs of kids who have extensive experience in the field. It’s an all-encompassing program.”

 more