Features | Princeton Magazine

Q&A with Jonathan Lee Walton President of Princeton Theological Seminary

Interview by Donald Gilpin | Photo courtesy of Princeton Theological Seminary

Jonathan Lee Walton became the eighth president of Princeton Theological Seminary on January 1, 2023. He is the first African American and the first Baptist to hold that position.

Walton earned his Ph.D. (2006) and Master of Divinity (2002) degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). Before his return to PTS, he served as dean of Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity, where he was the Presidential Chair in Religion and Society, and before that as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard University. more

The People Behind the Books

Dorothea von Moltke and Cliff Simms at home in Princeton.

Labyrinth’s Founding Family

By Wendy Greenberg | Photography by Andrew Wilkinson

“Lo the Poor Bookseller,” H. L. Mencken wrote in a 1930 essay: “The marvel is, indeed that [the bookseller] ever survives at all. It is as if a haberdasher, in addition to meeting all the hazards of the current fashion, had to keep in stock a specimen of every kind of shirt, collar, sock, necktie, and undershirt in favor since 1750.”

The picture of the underappreciated bookseller was brushed up when Jeff Deutsch wrote in the introduction to his 2022 book, In Praise of Good Bookstores: “The good bookstore’s collection comprises books that might have been published a month ago, a year ago, a half century ago, a couple of millennia ago. The attuned bookseller must provide a selection of books of all vintages.” more

Making Medicine Personal

Thanks to precision medicine, medical care is getting personal — highly personal. Described as the future of medicine, precision medicine technologies enable doctors and researchers to analyze what a person’s genes say about them and how that relates to a specific diagnosis. The intention is that precision medicine can provide more accurate care, especially when it comes to cancers, COVID-19, and other rare disorders.

One leader in the field of precision medicine is David C. Fajgenbaum, M.D., MBA, MSc. Dr. Fajgenbaum is an associate professor of medicine in translational medicine and human genetics at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the founding director of the Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment and Laboratory (CSTL), which aims to identify and treat patients with Castleman disease, COVID-19, and other cytokine storm disorders. CSTL works to uncover “novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics, identify optimal treatment approaches, and to provide world-class patient care,” as noted on med.upenn.edu/CSTL. more

Migrating Songbirds are Coming to a Sky Near You

By Ilene Dube

In J.D. Salinger’s 1951 bildungsroman The Catcher in the Rye, narrator Holden Caulfield obsesses over where the ducks in the Central Park Lake go in winter. They fly south for the winter, a taxi driver tells him.

Not necessarily, according to the park’s website. “The answer is that most stay put in Central Park, while some will migrate south during the winter months. It is not unusual to see them huddled together around the various bodies of water in the park.” more

The Power of Music

by Anne Levin

It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I have watched the scene of the Sex and the City episode where Mr. Big finds Carrie in Paris, and confesses that she’s “the one,” countless times. And it never fails to make me weepy.

Yes, it’s touching. But I have realized, over the years, that the reason I tear up isn’t just the acting or the dialogue. It’s the music. And it gets me, every time. more

Holiday Wish List, 2023

Inspiring Young Climate Activists

With Help from The Lorax and Greta Thunberg

By Stuart Mitchner

“In The Lorax I was out to attack what I think are evil things and let the chips fall where they might,” said Dr. Seuss of his favorite book. In a 1990 interview with Publishers Weekly, Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904-1991) admitted “I was a preacher in that book, but I got away with it by disguising the message.”

The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham were a joy to read aloud to my infant son, but The Lorax was more, much more. On the other side of the typically bold and bright Dr. Seuss cover was a dark world of night-blue endpapers dwarfing the bushy-yellow-mustached Lorax, who looked alone and afraid against a haunted night sky while the yellow eyes of the sinister, ever-invisible Once-ler peered through the slats of a boarded up purple window. My then-3-year-old son had no trouble identifying with the boy who finds himself on the Street of the Lifted Lorax at “the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows and the wind smells slow-and-sour when it blows and no birds ever sing excepting old crows.” more

Reliving “Childhoods of the Past”

Bucks County’s Noel Barrett Talks About Antique Toys

By Donald H. Sanborn III | Toy photographs courtesy of shutterstock.com

“Childhood’s joy-land, mystic merry Toyland,” rhapsodizes the title song of the operetta Babes in Toyland. The lyrics warn us, “Once you pass its borders, you can never return again.”

Arguably, longtime Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pa., resident Noel Barrett has made a career out of challenging that idea. A collector, seller, and appraiser of antique toys, Barrett — who has been described by the Bucks County Herald as “the grey-haired, pony-tailed toy expert on Antiques Roadshow” — has described toy collecting as “the best anti-aging medicine I know.” more

First Washington Crossing Reenactment for 2023

The reenactment of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in 1776 is one of the region’s most popular and well-attended traditions. Taking place on Sunday, December 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the famous Crossing will also be accompanied by Colonial Era activities, learning sessions, and games. Jason Q. Bohm will narrate events in the Historic Village and children’s author Jenny Cote will be sharing two of her novels. The day promises to include fun and learning for all. more

Pet Photos with Santa at MarketFair Mall

On Sunday, November 26, December 3, and December 10 from 4 to 6 p.m., professional photographers at MarketFair Mall will create a lasting memory with your pet. All pets are welcome as long as they are well-behaved. Leashes on dogs are required. While walk-ins are welcome, advance reservations are highly recommended as this event does sell out. To make reservations, visit https://www.marketfairshoppes.com/event/pet-photos-with-santa/2146500284. more

Hanukkah Celebration with Rabbi Adler

Join the Hanukkah celebration with Rabbi Benjamin Adler at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System located at 2751 Brunswick Pike in Lawrenceville on December 14 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Adler has been the spiritual leader of Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrenceville since 2014. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City, where he earned a master’s degree in Jewish philosophy. Adler also studied at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. All are welcome to this event. more

“An Evening of Readings and Carols” at Princeton University Chapel

Westminster Choir College of Rider University’s popular holiday concert “An Evening of Readings and Carols” returns to the Princeton University Chapel on Friday, December 8 at 8 p.m. The festive event includes performances by Westminster Choir, Chapel Choir, Symphonic Choir, Jubilee Singers, and the Concert Bell Choir. more

Owl Research Presentation at Watershed Institute

Join The Watershed Institute on Thursday, November 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a special presentation on the biology and ecology of the northern saw-whet owls. Led by local researchers at the Wild Bird Research Group, the ecologists will discuss data collected through the Owl Banding Program. Tyler Christensen, Ph.D. candidate in ecology and evolution at Rutgers, will lead the discussion. more

Sauce for the Goose Outdoor Winter Market Sale

This year’s Sauce for the Goose holiday art market is back and better than ever! On Saturday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., browse high-quality handmade gifts from local artisans and crafters.

The one-day sale will be held next to the Arts Council of Princeton’s building at 102 Witherspoon Street. This is the 29th year for this market, which draws people from around the region in search of holiday gifts. more

New York International Children’s Film Festival Screening at Princeton Garden Theatre

Princeton Garden Theatre will showcase a compilation of eight short films from the 2023 New York International Children’s Film Festival on Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12 at 11 a.m.

This year’s selection of nominees really allows the imagination to roam wild. Whether dreaming up the fantastical, like a cat the size of a house, or the practical, like exploring the wonders of space with a family member, this event is sure to surprise and delight. more

Annual Cow Parade at Cherry Grove Farm

Join Cherry Grove Farm for their annual Cow Parade on Saturday, November 4 from 1 to 6 p.m. This autumnal afternoon features the celebrated cows, hay rides, face painting, kids’ games, food, music, beer, and local art vendors. Watch the milking of the cows from 4 to 5 p.m. followed by an exciting procession in which the cows will wear garlands, bells, and flowers as they make their way through the pasture. The day will end with a bonfire and s’mores. more

Annual Night Out With NAMI, Nov. 18

This year’s Night Out With NAMI will take place at Trenton Country Club for “A Night at the Races” on Saturday, November 18. The Kentucky Derby-themed event will feature Southern fare, mint juleps, live bluegrass music, and a silent auction.

Central to the evening’s celebration will be the recognition of mental health champions Tom Pyle and David Lee White. more

JM Group Raises Over $20,000 to Support Community Organization

JM Group has announced that in recent months they have raised $21,385 to support local nonprofit organization Share My Meals.

This past April, JM Group restaurant Kristine’s hosted an event, “A Night in Paris,” with Share My Meals. It was a well-attended event showcasing the community’s full support of Share My Meals, which aims to fight both food insecurity and the environmental impact of food waste. more

Apple Cider Making at Howell Living History Farm

On Saturday, November 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join Howell Living History Farm for a lesson on how to make fresh apple cider!

To earn a taste, all you have to do is spend a few minutes cranking the cider press. The “hopper” (as it is known) will be refilled with Mac, Cortland, and Red Delicious varieties of apples to achieve the perfect blend of apple cider flavors. more

Arts Council of Princeton Workshop on “What Makes You Special?”

Healing art instructor and artist Jane Zamost will lead a workshop entitled “What Makes You Special?” on Thursday, November 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Arts Council of Princeton. The cost to attend is $50 per person. Attendees will be provided with a mat board to work on, glue, paint brushes, crayons, pastels, and colored pencils. more