REFLECTIONS ON AN ICON: Judith McCartin Scheide, left, with Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Music Director Rossen Milanov during a 2017 sponsor recognition event held by the PSO at Prospect House. The PSO is among several organizations that were beneficiaries of the late Scheide’s generosity. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Symphony Orchestra staff)

By Anne Levin

News of Judith McCartin Scheide’s death on December 29 has inspired numerous tributes from members of cultural organizations in Princeton. With her late husband William H. “Bill” Scheide, Judy Scheide was a prominent philanthropist admired not only for her monetary support of museums and musical organizations, but for her warmth and dedication as well.

“Judy had a kind of audacity as a philanthropist,” said James Steward, director of the Princeton University Art Museum. “She wanted not just to do good work, but to make a real impact, and she put the full creative force of her intelligence into it — not just her financial support. Judy knew that she was setting an example, in the way that true leaders do. Her passing leaves a real gap in this community, which the next generation will need to step up and fill.” more

By Anne Levin

Last week, it was torrential rain. This week, it has been snow, sleet, and ice.

Princeton police, rescue, and emergency crews have been on alert for weather-related problems in recent days. With some more precipitation and frigid temperatures forecast for the rest of this week, they are advising residents and motorists to use common sense on roadways and sidewalks.

“For us, the biggest thing is if the roads are snow-covered or icy, stay home unless you absolutely have to go out,” said Captain Christopher Tash of the Princeton Police Department on Tuesday. “The roads have been okay today, but there is ice out there and it can get worse on the roads and sidewalks.” more

“DINAH”: Among the photographs on display at the “Discovering Grant Castner” exhibit at the New Jersey State Museum February 3 through September 15 is this 1898 portrait of Dinah Hartman of Milford, mending a garment.

By Anne Levin

As a major repository for items related to fine art, culture, archaeology, and natural history, the New Jersey State Museum is often contacted by people interested in donating items they think curators might find of interest. Many of those queries are respectfully considered and politely refused.

But a phone call in July 2019 was a different matter. It was about a collection of 1,200 glass plate negatives by Grant Castner, a long-forgotten amateur photographer who lived and worked in Trenton. The call has led to the exhibit “Discovering Grant Castner: The Lost Archives of a New Jersey Photographer,” opening February 3 and running through September 15 at the museum on Trenton’s West State Street. more

By Anne Levin

At its meeting Monday night, Princeton Council voted to introduce an ordinance that would eliminate the Affordable Housing Board, Human Services Commission, and Civil Rights Commission, streamlining them into one entity called the Community Services Advisory Committee.

A second ordinance would dispense with the Sewer Committee, moving sewer-related issues into the Infrastructure and Operations Committee.

While public comment is not permitted at an ordinance introduction and must wait until the official public hearing (January 22 for these two proposals), some members of the existing boards and commissions have expressed their concerns about the first ordinance in letters to the editor and an email to Council. more

ART FOR EVERYONE: Young participants in the Arts Council of Princeton’s inaugural “ART OF” series last year attended a session called “ART OF Play.” The series returns starting Sunday, January 14 with an event geared to crossword puzzle aficionados. A variety of topics follow throughout the spring.

By Anne Levin

For many years, the Arts Council of Princeton’s (ACP) annual fall fundraiser served as a key source of support for the exhibits, classes, and special events held at the nonprofit throughout the year. But admission to these festive events wasn’t cheap, which excluded many of the artists and community members who take part in its programs.

Things changed last year with the new ART OF series of events encompassing a wide range of topics. Instead of one gala party at a steep price tag, there were several — allowing more diverse offerings and lower entrance fees.

ART OF was a success. The Arts Council will unveil a second round of the series on Sunday, with a sold-out session on the world of American crossword puzzles featuring renowned puzzle-maker Mangesh Ghogre. An eclectic list of topics are scheduled throughout the spring, at entrance prices ranging from $55 to $75. A few are free. more

BATTLE COMES TO LIFE: The annual reenactment of the Battle of Princeton at Princeton Battlefield State Park is expected to be bigger than ever this year, with participants representing both sides. (Photo by Al Pochek)

By Anne Levin

Judging from the statistics, interest in local history is big.

The crowd at the annual Christmas Day reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware is said to have included some 10,000. And registration for the 247th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Princeton in Princeton Battlefield State Park, set for Sunday, January 7, is well above the previous year.

“We’re preparing for bigger and bigger attendance,” said Todd Quackenbush, communications spokesperson for the Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS). “We’re going to have about 300 reenactors on the field, with artillery on both sides, giving a more realistic feel for how the battle proceeded.” more

By Anne Levin 

Once again, the bridge on Washington Road over the D&R Canal has been closed to motorists. But unlike last year, when the span was unavailable between the end of July and the end of October, this round is expected to last only until January 13.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation closed the bridge Tuesday morning between Nursery Road and Faculty Road, to allow replacement of the temporary bridge bearings, installed during the first closure, with permanent bearings. But local access has been maintained between Route 1 and Nursery Road.

Several detours will be in place until the work is completed. Those traveling southbound on Washington Road will be directed to turn left on Faculty Road, turn right onto South Harrison Street, turn right onto Route 1 southbound, and then stay right on Route 1 to take the “All Turns” lane to County Road 571/Highstown/Princeton back to Washington Road. more

By Anne Levin

At a presentation on Monday in the Chancellor Green Library at Princeton University, a new hub for artificial intelligence (AI) was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy and University President  Christopher L. Eisgruber.

A collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the initiative puts Central New Jersey and the University at a key position in the AI boom. On April 11, the University and the state will cohost a conference designed to bring together leaders of industry, academia, and government to discuss AI and its capabilities.

AI is defined as the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Murphy said AI has the capability to help find new cures for diseases and new solutions for battling climate change.  more

TRIMMING AND MORE: Led by professional arborists, students from Trenton Central High School and Rutgers University were among those who participated in the “Work Day” on December 2 to help care for trees in Cadwalader Park.

By Anne Levin

Every year, members of the New Jersey Arborists Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (NJAISA) volunteer for a “Work Day” at a site where trees need attention. This year, it was Trenton’s Cadwalader Park.

On December 2, more than 150 volunteers fanned out in the 105-acre urban forest designed in the 1890s by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Joined by partners from the City of Trenton, New Jersey Tree Foundation, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, and several other organizations, they removed hazardous trees and stumps to make the park safer for visitors. They reestablished the lawn to provide space for new trees that will be planted in the near future, and they pruned and rehabilitated some of the very mature trees that date back to the original planting of the park.  more

By Anne Levin

The Princeton Senior Resource Center (PSRC) has a new name. As of January 1, the 49-year-old organization that serves four generations of people, aged 55 to 105, will be doing business as the Center for Modern Aging in Princeton.

The new name reflects changes in the way older adults see themselves, and are seen by those around them.

“It’s a conversation that began several years ago, before I came on board,” said Chief Executive Officer Drew Dyson. “It’s about the language used for older adults in the community. Many don’t identify themselves as seniors. That terminology just doesn’t reflect who more