November 6, 2024

Junior Star Lee Triggers Offense Down the Stretch As PU Men’s Hoops Rallies to Top Iona 81-80 in Opener

OPENING SALVO: Princeton University men’s basketball Xaivian Lee dribbles upcourt last Monday as Princeton hosted Iona in its season opener. Junior guard Lee tallied a game-high 27 points as Princeton overcame a 58-42 second half deficit to pull out an 81-80 win over the Gaels. In upcoming action, Princeton faces Duquesne on November 8 in the Jersey Jam at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton and then plays at Northeastern on November 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There was plenty of hype surrounding the Princeton University men’s basketball team as it headed into its season opener against Iona last Monday night at Jadwin Gym.

The Tigers were a nearly unanimous selection as the favorite in the Ivy League Preseason Poll. NBA scouts have flocked to their practices and the squad’s two junior stars, Caden Pierce and Xaivian Lee, were both included in the ESPN Preseason Top 100 players. Some media outlets have been forecasting the Tigers as a potential single-digit seed in the NCAA tournament. more

With Syer Taking the Helm of PU Men’s Hockey, Tigers Looking to Tighten Up Things Defensively

NEW DAY: Princeton University men’s hockey player Noah de la Durantaye controls the puck in a 2022 game. Senior star defenseman de la Durantaye figure to spearhead things along the blue line this Princeton. The Tigers open their 2024-25 campaign by hosting Harvard on November 8 and Dartmouth on November 9 as new Princeton head coach Ben Syer makes this debut behind the bench for the program. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

During his 13-year tenure as an assistant coach for the Cornell University men’s hockey team, Ben Syer helped the Big Red consistently rank as one of the top defensive squads in the country.

Cornell averaged 2.21 goals allowed-per-game, ranking third among all Division I programs over the past 13 seasons. In addition, the Big Red ranked in the top ten in in scoring defense nine times and twice led the country in that statistic (2017-18, 2023-24). more

PU Football Digs Early 28-0 Hole Against Cornell, Rally Falls Short as Tigers Lose 49-35, Now 2-5

By Bill Alden

Before the Princeton University football team even took the field against visiting Cornell last Saturday, it was fighting an uphill battle.

“We went out to practice Tuesday and we had 38 guys on the injured list,” said Princeton head coach Bob Surace. “We lost five from the last play on Tuesday through Wednesday. We got one back so we had 42 on Thursday. I just had to make decisions. Some guys were playing hurt, it is can they perform better than some inexperienced guys.”

The Tigers didn’t perform well against the Big Red as they fell behind 28-0 with Cornell star quarterback Jameson Wang passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another in the early onslaught. more

Tiger Women’s Hockey Produces Shaky 2-4 Start But Freshman Alexander Emerging as a Key Weapon

MAC ATTACK: Princeton University women’s hockey player Mackenzie Alexander fires a shot last Friday as Princeton hosted St. Lawrence in its home opener at Hobey Baker Rink. Freshman forward Alexander tallied a goal in a losing cause as Princeton fell 6-2 to the Saints. The Tigers, who lost 6-3 to Clarkson on Sunday to move to 2-4 overall and 0-4 ECAC Hockey, play at Harvard on November 8 and at Dartmouth on November 9. (Photo by Shelley Szwast, provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Bill Alden

As Mackenzie Alexander made her debut at Hobey Baker Rink last Friday evening when the Princeton University women’s hockey team hosted St. Lawerence, she was pumped up.

“It was incredible with all the fans that came out, it was really cool to see,” said freshman forward Alexander, a native of Etobicoke, Ontario. “The atmosphere was really fun to play in. I really appreciate them coming out.” more

Making its First State Playoff Appearance Since 2014, PHS Football Loses to Winslow, Finishes Fall at 5-5

WILL TO SUCCEED: Princeton High football player Sean Wilton runs upfield in a game this season. Senior offensive/defensive lineman Wilton starred in the trenches this fall for the Tigers as they made their first state playoff appearance since 2014. Playing in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament last Saturday, eighth-seeded PHS fell 69-6 to top-seeded and undefeated Winslow. The Tigers finished the fall with a 5-5 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

There was a buzz around the Princeton High football team last week as it prepared to face Winslow in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament, making the program’s first state playoff appearance since 2014.

“The guys realized 10 years has been long time since we have been in the playoffs,” said PHS head coach Charlie Gallagher. “To be there is a tremendous achievement. The guys really rallied around the fact that they had done something that a lot of football teams at Princeton High haven’t done in a while.” more

Howes Stars as PHS Girls’ Soccer Tops Jackson, Tuning Up Before Stunning Freehold in State Opener

HOW ABOUT THAT: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Kacey Howes controls the ball in recent action. Last Thursday, junior star Howes tallied one goal and one assist to help PHS defeat Jackson Memorial 4-0. On Monday, Howes helped 16th-seeded PHS defeat top-seeded Freehold Township on penalty kicks (5-4) after the teams had played to scoreless draw through regulation and overtime in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 Tournament. The Tigers, now 7-9-3, play at eighth-seeded Montgomery in the quarterfinal round on November 7.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High girls’ soccer team hosted Jackson Memorial last Thursday, Kacey Howes took a knock on her foot midway through the first half and had to leave the contest.

But PHS junior star Howes wasn’t about to take the rest of the day off in the team’s final home game this fall. more

Sparked by Mykhalchuk’s Playmaking, Physicality, Hun Boys’ Soccer Defeats Blair in Prep A Semis

BALL CONTROL: Hun School boys’ soccer player Sasha Mykhalchuk dribbles the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Wednesday, senior Mykhalchuk chipped in an assist to help second-seeded Hun defeat third-seeded Blair Academy 4-0 in the Prep A state semis. The Raiders, who defeated Peddie 8-4 in a regular season contest last Saturday to improve to 13-3-2, play at top-seeded Pennington in the Prep A final on November 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sasha Mykhalchuk was downing sips of honey on the bench as he took a break in the first half when the Hun School boys’ soccer team hosted Blair Academy last Wednesday in the Prep A state semis.

When senior midfielder Mykhalchuk was on the field for Hun, he gave the squad a jolt of energy, smoothly passing for an assist in the first half and providing physical play all over the field as the second-seeded Raiders pulled away to 4-0 win over the third-seeded Buccaneers. more

October 30, 2024

Irish Wake

Members of the Princeton High boys’ soccer team celebrate after they edged Notre Dame 1-0 in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament final last Saturday afternoon on Ackerson Field at Hopewell Valley High. PHS, now 14-2-3, got the winning goal against the Irish late in the second half on a header by Chase Hamerschlag off a corner kick by Aaron Thyrum. For details on the game, see page 25. (Photo by Bill Alden)

PPS Plans for $89.1M Bond Referendum

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton Public Schools (PPS) has been moving towards a $89.1 million January bond referendum for expansion and renovations, and a decision on that was anticipated at Tuesday night’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting, which took place after press time. [Update: the resolution passed 9-0.]

The resolution on the table called for Princeton voters to weigh in on January 28 on a proposal to expand and upgrade school buildings at Community Park and Littlebrook elementary schools, as well as expansion and renovations at Princeton Middle School (PMS) and renovations at Princeton High School (PHS).

The proposed resolution comes in three parts, with a total tax impact estimated at $543 annually for the owner of a home at Princeton’s average assessed value of $853,136, after anticipated reductions through state aid.

The referendum, if approved by voters, would address aging infrastructure and space needs as the town anticipates about 1,000 units of new housing in the next five to seven years with additional population growth and state-mandated development on the horizon. Most of the approved new housing is being built in the Community Park and Littlebrook school zones. more

Council Hears Report From Consulting Firm on Revitalizing Hinds Plaza

By Anne Levin 

Two work sessions dominated the meeting of Princeton Council on Monday evening, October 28. The first was on the concept plan for refreshing Hinds Plaza, and the second was a discussion on removal and replacement of the two kiosks located on Nassau Street.

After hearing a progress report from municipal staff and Arterial, Inc., the consultants on the Hinds Plaza project, Council members and Mayor Mark Freda offered comments and suggestions and aired some concerns. Regarding the kiosks, which are at the intersections of Witherspoon Street and Vandeventer Avenue, the governing body directed staff to remove them while tabling the question of whether and how they should be replaced.

In his presentation, James Ribaudo of Arterial said Hinds Plaza is 20 years old and in need of refreshment and reorganization. The company has held three workshops with the steering committee dedicated to the project, as well as stakeholder meetings, and is compiling a plan based on feedback and their own observations. more

Stormwater and Its Effects Are on Agenda at Municipality’s Oct. 30 Public Meeting

By Donald Gilpin

As climate change and its effects become a growing concern in the news and in the lives of Princeton residents, stormwater management is becoming an increasingly important challenge for municipal officials and individual citizens.

The Municipality of Princeton has invited residents, business owners, and all stakeholders to a public meeting in the Witherspoon Hall Meeting Room at 400 Witherspoon Street. and on Zoom, on Wednesday, October 30 at 6 p.m. to explore the feasibility of a stormwater utility in Princeton.

Attendees will also learn about the work the town does to comply with stormwater regulations and the benefits of stormwater management.

The Municipality of Princeton is currently in Phase 2 of a four-phase stormwater feasibility study, exploring the possibility of forming a stormwater utility to provide a dedicated funding source through user fees, similar to the sanitary sewer utility, to operate, maintain, and improve the municipal storm sewer system. more

“The Painter of the American Revolution” Is in the Spotlight at November 6 Event

BATTLE OF PRINCETON: John Trumbull (1756-1843) experienced the American Revolution firsthand and painted numerous heroic depictions of the war, including “The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton.” Historian Richard Brookhiser will discuss his newly released book, “Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution,” at the Nassau Club on November 6 at Princeton Battlefield Society’s first Cadwalader Lecture.

By Donald Gilpin

Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution will be the topic of the evening as award-winning historian Richard Brookhiser talks about his new book in the first Cadwalader Series Lecture, sponsored by the Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) at the Nassau Club on November 6 at 6 p.m.

Brookhiser, a senior editor at National Review and widely known for biographies of many of America’s founders, will discuss the significance and meaning of Trumbull’s works, most of which depicted events of the American Revolution and the early days of the new nation. more

Jamie Volkert is First Director of New Division of Travel and Tourism

By Anne Levin

Jamie Volkert

Since starting her new job last week as director of Mercer County’s new Division of Travel and Tourism, Jamie Volkert has been busy in meeting after meeting devoted to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

But Volkert, familiar to Princetonians from her 11 years working for the Nassau Inn, Terra Momo, and most recently as marketing director for Palmer Square Management, has more than the milestone anniversary on her plate.

“We also have the FIFA World Cup coming up in July 2026,” Volkert said. “They’ll be in different stadiums in this area, and it will bring travelers to Mercer County. The timing is perfect.”

Elected this past January, Mercer County Executive Dan Benson created the Division of Travel and Tourism as part of the county’s Office of Economic Development. Known for her work in Princeton as well numerous volunteering opportunities in Hamilton Township, where she sits on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Volkert was approached once the new division was formed.

“We are really excited for Jamie Volkert to join our team as we launch our new Division of Travel & Tourism,” Benson said in an email. “There is so much to see and to do here in Mercer, and as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation we have an opportunity to expand Mercer as a premier travel destination.”  more

Town Receives NJ Future Smart Growth Award for Terhune Harrison Project

HONORED: Princeton municipal officials and staff, together with Liza Reed, daughter of the late Ingrid Reed, recently won a Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future. From left are Planning Board Chair Louise Wilson, Liza Reed, Sustainable Princeton Executive Director Christine Symington, Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic, Council President Mia Sacks, Councilmember Michelle Pirone Lambros, and Senior Planner Ian Henderson. (Photo by Reed Sacks)

By Anne Levin

Princeton’s Terhune Harrison Mixed Use Village was one of several projects honored October 22 with a Smart Growth Award by New Jersey Future.

The ceremony at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, part of the 2024 New Jersey Future showcase conference, also included a posthumous Leadership Award to the late Ingrid Reed, as well as announcement of the Ingrid Reed For Our Future Fund to support education and training for future Smart Growth leaders.

“It was a special evening for Princeton,” said Princeton Council President Mia Sacks, who worked on the Terhune Harrison project along with Councilmembers David Cohen and Michelle Pirone Lambros. “The award was for sustainable planning. It’s very fitting that that’s what Ingrid was known for.” more

On Ezra Pound’s Birthday: Life and Contacts

By Stuart Mitchner

Denizens of YouTube’s cosmic jukebox can celebrate Ezra Pound’s birthday by listening to him deliver Part I of his landmark poem Hugh Selwyn Mauberly (Life and Contacts). The reading was reportedly recorded in 1959 when he lived in Castle Brunnenburg in the Italian Tyrol, some 39 years after the poem was first published and 65 years before the 2024 election. With a few taps on the keyboard, you can go eye to eye with the old poet, who describes himself as E.P. “born in a half-savage country, out of date” — actually Hailey, Idaho Territory, U.S.A., October 30, 1885. more

New Jersey Youth Symphony Presents Veterans Day Concert

HONORING VETERANS: Pianist Jeffrey Biegel is the soloist when the New Jersey Youth Symphony performs “Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue” at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Veterans Day, November 3.

The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) will present a concert to honor veterans and armed forces on Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m. at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton.

Veterans are invited to attend the concert for free by using discount code VETERAN. Tickets and more information can be found at NJYS.org.

The program features the New Jersey premiere of Peter Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue with pianist Jeffrey Biegel. Biegel commissioned Boyer to compose the piece to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the premiere of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and gave its first performance in June 2023 with the Utah Symphony. Biegel later recorded the work for the Naxos label with the London Symphony Orchestra and Boyer conducting. more

American Music and More

The Westminster Community Orchestra brings its first performance of the season to Hillman Hall, on the Westminster Choir College campus, 101 Walnut Lane, on Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m. Conductor Ruth Ochs, left, leads a program of music by George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, Florence Price, and other American composers; recorder player Tegan Costello, right, is soloist in Telemann’s Recorder Concerto in C. No tickets are required, but there is a suggested admission of $10. Visit rider.edu.

Westminster Conservatory Opens Faculty Recital Series

On Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m., the 2024-25 season of the Westminster Conservatory Faculty Recital Series will open with a multimedia presentation “山水畫 – Chinese Landscapes in Music, Poetry, and Painting.” The recital will take place in Hillman Performance Hall, 101 Walnut Lane.  more

Atelier@Large Series Brings Trio of Artists

Meredith Monk
(Photo by F. Scott Schafer)

On November 12 at 4:30 p.m., Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts presents the next event in the 2024-25 Atelier@Large conversation series at Richardson Auditorium. Admission is free.

The series brings guest artists and intellectuals to campus for public discussions on the challenges they face in making art in the modern world. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and professor Paul Muldoon will be joined at the event by writer Jennifer Finney Boylan; composer, performer, director, vocalist, filmmaker, and choreographer Meredith Monk; and poet Maria Stepanova with translator Sasha Dugdale.

The Princeton Atelier, currently directed by Muldoon, was founded in 1994 by emeritus professor Toni Morrison. The Atelier brings together professional artists from different disciplines and Princeton students to create new work in the context of a semester-long course that culminates in the public presentation of that new work. Recent artists have included Stew, Laurie Anderson, the improv group Baby Wants Candy, and the Wakka Wakka Puppet Theatre.  more

Isidore String Quartet Makes Princeton Debut

On Wednesday, November 20, Princeton University Concerts (PUC) will launch its Performances Up Close series, Live Music Meditation series, and Do-Re-Meet social events for music lovers with the PUC debut of the Isidore String Quartet.

PUC’s Performances Up Close programs invite the audience to sit alongside the musicians on the stage of Richardson Auditorium for an hour-long program, making for an intimate, informal, and schedule-friendly concert experience. For their 6 and 9 p.m. Performances Up Close, the ensemble will play works by Billy Childs, Henri Dutilleux, and W.A. Mozart.

Alongside these performances on November 20, patrons can also participate in a pre-concert Do-Re-Meet Speed Dating event at 7 p.m. at the historic Maclean House. more

“Mercer County Photography 2024” Awards Announced

“FORGET ME NOT”: The “Mercer County Photography 2024” Juror’s Choice Award went to this work by photographer Cheryl Bomba of Pennington. The show can be seen at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalader Park through December 1.

Nine Mercer County photographers received a total of 10 awards at the October 13 opening reception for “Mercer County Photography 2024” at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. The biennial juried show, on view in the museum through December 1, showcases a diverse array of contemporary work by photographers from throughout Mercer County. Most of the show’s 55 photographs are available for purchase.

Juror Gary Saretzky, a well-known Mercer County photographer, educator, archivist, and exhibitor, selected photographs for Best in Show, Juror’s Choice, and Honorable Mention. Ida Margicin, chief of the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, along with commissioners from the division, selected five Mercer County Purchase Awards. The Purchase Award photographs will become a part of Mercer County permanent art collection and be displayed in county buildings. more

“The Wagon”

The Arts Council of Princeton’s latest Spring Street mural is by Red Sean, the nickname for Trenton-born illustrator Sean Rynkewicz, an avid commuter cyclist who now lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Madison, who helped paint the mural. It is sponsored by Kopp’s Powered by Pedego. (Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Princeton)

“Creative Women’s Showcase” at Contemporary Art Center

“CREATIVE WOMEN’S SHOWCASE”: The exhibition focusing on women artists Is at the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster November 1 through December 8. An opening reception is on Friday, November 1 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster presents the “Creative Women’s Showcase” exhibition, curated by Ilisa Zollenberg, November 1 through December 8. Exhibiting artists Serena Bocchino (Basking Ridge), Meeta Garg (Basking Ridge), Ivey Kampouris (Bridgewater), Grace Martoccia (Basking Ridge), Seanna Noonan (Basking Ridge), Carolina W. Rivera (Califon), Isabell Villacis (South Bound Brook), and Ilisa Zollenberg (Basking Ridge) will showcase their work in mixed media, pastels, acrylic, photography, and more. more

HCHS Meeting Focuses on 19th-Century Photographers

PHOTOGRAPHY TALK: Flemington photographer Mary Sunderlin captured this image of an airplane accident in Hunterdon County. The photo date is unknown. Photo historian Gary Saretzky will discuss the area’s earliest local photographers at the annual fall meeting of the Hunterdon County Historical Society (HCHS) on November 10 at 2 p.m. in the Flemington Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. (From the collections of the HCHS)

Discover the unique stories of the area’s earliest local photographers at the annual fall meeting of the Hunterdon County Historical Society (HCHS) on Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m. in the Flemington Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.

In a profusely illustrated slide program, photo historian Gary Saretzky will provide an overview of the way photographs were made in the 19th century and discuss the interesting stories of numerous photographers active from about 1850 in Flemington, Lambertville, Clinton, and Frenchtown. About 90 professional photographers were based in Hunterdon in the 19th century. Among those covered in this talk are Gideon C. Angle, Clinton; Frank Fritz, Lambertville; John and Mary Sunderlin, Flemington; and George W. Freeland, Milford and Frenchtown. more

“In Plain Sight” Photography Exhibit at Gourgaud Gallery

“SEA SELFIE”: This work by William Kanawyer is featured in “In Plain Sight: A Lingering View of the World Around Us,” on view November 3 through November 26 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury. An artist’s reception is on Sunday, November 3 from 1-3 p.m.

The Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury will present “In Plain Sight: A Lingering View of the World Around Us,” the first public showing of photography by William Kanawyer, November 3 through November 26. An artist’s reception is on Sunday, November 3 from 1-3 p.m.

Kanawyer is a sixth generation native Californian. He grew up in the high desert of Southern California surrounded by actors, filmmakers, musicians, and graphic artists. While in school studying technical theater, photography, and electronics, his father died, suddenly launching him, out of need, into a career path that mixed the arts and sciences before settling into programming and computer technologies. more