Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, Department of French and Italian, and L’Avant-Scène will present the 11th edition of Seuls en Scène French Theater Festival, which will take place September 9 to 23 at venues across the University’s campus. Most performances will be in French, and several will include English subtitles. All are free and open to the public. more
The Hun School of Princeton welcomes Sean Costello to the position of co-director of athletics following the retirement of Bill Quirk. Costello will collaborate with Tracey Arndt in leading the Athletic Program for Middle and Upper School students and will coach girls’ varsity basketball. Costello previously served as associate director of athletics at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and as a general manager of Maplezone Sports Institute in Aston, Pa. more
Drew University and Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) have announced a Dual-Degree partnership through the BUSPH Select Scholars program.
The BUSPH Select Scholars program provides Drew undergraduates the opportunity to explore different options available in the field of public health and to connect with Boston University mentors for academic and career advising.
Students accepted into the highly competitive graduate program at BUSPH may choose to pursue a Master of Public Health, a Master of Science in Population Health Research, or a Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics. more
While some students may have been taking a break from scholastic sports over the summer, the Blair School girls’ rowing team was hard at work. Led by varsity coach John Redos, the team sought to maintain the momentum they had achieved over the previous school year.
Beginning in Fall 2021, Blair girls’ rowing earned first place medals at the Head of the Housatonic, one of the most competitive scholastic races in the United States. With the onset of winter in Blairstown, New Jersey, the girls moved into Blair’s new indoor rowing center on Park Street. Coaches led the girls through technical skills and cardio training as a lead up to the spring season. more
On Friday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. join the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown for The Beauty of Dusk: An Evening with Frank Bruni. Tickets are $60 per person.
Bruni has been a prominent journalist form more than three decades, including more than 25 years at The New York Times, the last 10 of them as a nationally renowned op-ed columnist who appeared frequently as a television commentator. He was also a White House correspondent for the Times, its Rome bureau chief, and for five years, its chief restaurant critic. more
The beloved Princeton Children’s Book Festival returns on Saturday, October 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Princeton Public Library and Hinds Plaza. This largely outdoor, in-person event brings together some of the most popular children’s book authors and illustrators, giving families the opportunity to meet their children’s favorite storybook creators. Book sales for the event will be available from jaZams in downtown Princeton. Authors and illustrators will be available to sign personalized copies and describe some of the details and inspirations behind their books. more
On October 15 from 12 to 4 p.m., join Washington Crossing Historic Park for an Autumn Market and Encampment, a chance to travel back in time and experience life in a Revolutionary War camp.
Costumed Colonial townspeople will gather at the marketplace to show off their crafting skills and goods. Soldiers will also be on-site to drill and perform 18th century military tactics, and the fife and drum corps will stage performances throughout the day. With crafts, cooking demonstrations, and one-on-one interactions with Colonial reenactors, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a fall day outdoors with the entire family. more
On Thursday, August 3 at 6:30 p.m., join Monmouth University Professor and former U.S. Army Fort Monmouth Command Historian Melissa Ziobro for a talk on how the U.S. Army Signal Corps employed women as telephone switchboard operators during WWI. The “Hello Girls” worked long hours to ensure battlefield communications. Their chief operator, Grace Banker, hailed from New Jersey. After the war, the women fought for veteran status, and they are being considered for a Congressional Gold Medal today. more
A Safe Haven For Nearly A Century
By Anne Levin | Photos courtesy of Princeton Nursery School
In a colorful classroom lined with child-size desks, bookshelves, and cozy nooks, nap time is coming to a close. Sleepy-eyed 3- and 4-year-olds are beginning to stir on their mats. As soft music plays in the background, their teacher sets out afternoon snacks of apple slices and peanut butter.
It is a ritual that has likely been repeated, at this preschool on Leigh Avenue, for nearly a century. Housed in two simple buildings converted into one, Princeton Nursery School has been a mainstay of the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood since 1929. It was founded by a wealthy Princeton resident, Margaret Matthews-Flinsch, to help working mothers who desperately needed a place for their preschool-aged children to go during the day. As the story goes, Flinsch was motivated to act when she discovered that her laundress was locking her child in the servants’ quarters while she worked.
Matthews-Flinsch persuaded her wealthy friends to contribute. The idea was not only to provide affordable child care, but to also give the children a preschool experience following the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, encouraging development of the whole child.
From its inception, the school was integrated — unlike elsewhere in Princeton, where elementary schools remained segregated until 1948. That posed a challenge.
“The late John Matthews spoke of the difficulty his cousin Margaret experienced in obtaining funding for the school because of its integrated student body,” wrote Wendy Cotton, a former executive director of the school, in a letter to Town Topics newspaper in 2015. “Margaret’s parents, the Rev. and Mrs. Paul Matthews, and many of their friends provided financial support to the school.” more
The Somerset County 4-H returns on August 10 through 12 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at North Branch Park in Bridgewater. The largest under tent 4-H fair this side of the Mississippi, the Somerset County 4-H is a celebration of New Jersey’s agricultural spirit and heritage. Like any true fair, this one includes mouthwatering food, live music, local artists, go-karts, exhibits, and large and small animal contests. more
On view through September 5, 2022, at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, “The Pigeon Comes to Jersey City!” celebrates the art and characters of beloved children’s book author and illustrator Mo Willems. This young learner exhibition features best-friend duo Elephant and Piggie, faithful companion Knuffle Bunny, and The Pigeon, the wiley city bird best known for his antics in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! more
Are you interested in learning what makes Stuart girls unstoppable?
The admissions staff at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart will hold a 30-minute virtual conversation on Thursday, August 4 at 12:30 p.m. The session will touch on the application process and hopes to demystify the factors to consider when deciding whether or not a given independent school is right for your child. more
Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) has appointed Anastasia Rivkin, Pharma.D., Ed.D., as the dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, effective July 1. Rivkin has been serving as the interim dean.
“Anastasia’s leadership and expertise provide tremendous strength for the future of FDU’s heath initiatives in pharmacy and beyond,” said Michael J. Avaltroni, university provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. more
Current, former, and future Rutgers students, faculty, staff, and fans are welcome to partake in Scarlet Knights pride during Homecoming Weekend on October 20-22. Rutgers football will be facing Indiana and the matchup should be a heart-thumping event. more
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) foundation has elected David Rago, owner of Rago Arts and Auction Center (https://www.ragoarts.com) in Lambertville to its board of directors.
An expert in the field of American ceramics, art, and pottery, Rago began dealing in American decorative ceramics at the age of 17 and has authored several books on the subject. He also tours and lectures nationally and appeared regularly on the PBS series, The Antiques Roadshow.
Rago Arts and Auction is a leading U.S. auction house with $30 million in annual sales. It serves thousands of sellers and buyers providing personal service and competitive commissions for single pieces, collections, and estates.
Rago was awarded a B.A. in English from TCNJ in 2016. He and his wife established The David Rago and Suzanne Perrault Faculty Endowment and are generous annual donors to TCNJ’s School of The Arts and Communication. more
Considered to be the top aquarium in the Northeast, Camden’s Adventure Aquarium is a premier and scientifically sound facility where children can interact with aquatic creatures in a whole new way.
Over 15,000 animals are located on site, including endangered penguin and shark species, sea turtles, and coral reef (among others). Special attractions like the Little Blue Penguins, Nile Hippos, the Shark Bridge, Shark Tunnel, and touch tanks will leave lasting memories. From the Great Hammerhead Shark (the largest of its species) to the Giant Pacific Octopus, there is so much to see and learn. more
Located along the Delaware River in New Hope, Pa., Solebury School’s Summer Day Camp is a great option to keep kids busy, healthy, and having fun throughout the warmer months.
Campers are overseen by a dedicated and highly trained staff that enjoys spending each day outdoors as much as the kids. Solebury also prides itself on being a confidence building setting where children can express themselves, test new skills, and improve already established skills like swimming, theater, and a variety of sports. more
Washington Crossing Historic Park will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Sunday, May 29 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the gravesite of Continental soldiers located near the Thompson-Neely House.
The observation will include a Colonial color guard, fife and drum music, Revolutionary War reenactors, veterans, and other honored guests. The keynote address will be delivered by USAF veteran Frank Lyons. At the ceremony, the Daughters of the American Revolution will dedicate a plaque at the original gravesite of 24-year-old Captain Lieutenant James Moore. Moore served in Captain Alexander Hamilton’s New York Artillery Unit before his death on December 25, 1776. more
Labyrinth Books welcomes Maggie Edkins Willis and Samira Iravani for an in-person event (with the option of virtual) on Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m. Willis will discuss her debut middle grade graphic novel entitled Smaller Sister, which touches on the author’s own real-life experiences navigating confidence, body image, and the everlasting bond of sisterhood. more
Celebrate Princeton’s LGBTQIA+ community on Friday, June 3 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Princeton Shopping Center. The special event will include music, games, activities, giveaways, and more. Rain date is June 5.
Families of all ages are welcome to participate. There will be a bubble show by OMG Bubbles, hula hooping with Color Me Hoopy, yoga, a community mural, and live tunes from DJ Mona of Mon Amie Events NYC. more
