General Meetings

NOTE: All meetings, begin at 1 pm and are held at the All Saints Church, 16 All Saints’ Road, Princeton, NJ, unless otherwise specified. Guests are always welcome and we extend a special invitation to our new members. Following the program members and guests enjoy a time of fellowship and refreshments. Bridge Benefit and Annual Luncheon Meeting need RSVPs)

Dates for General Meetings for 2018-2019:
September 17th; October 15th; November 19th; December 17th; February 18th; March 18th; April 15th, and May 20th (Annual Luncheon Meeting at Windrows: Menu and Reservation Form ). 

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Past General Meetings 2018-2019

Monday, April 15, 2019.   “Pearl Harbor: the Day of Infamy”
Robert Ashbaugh, former Deputy Director of the Department of Justice, presented notes on “Intelligence Analysis and War Preparations in 1941.” We learned how our government operated prior to one of the most seminal events in American History. He discussed insights into the US new technological marvels, radar, the electronic detector, and MAGIC, the decoded intercepts of Japanese diplomatic communications, and how the government failed, sometimes with plausible explanations, sometimes not. In 2003 Robert Ashbaugh was recruited to join the Department of Homeland Security. Following his retirement, he and his wife moved to Princeton. For several years he served as a department guest of the Law and Public Affairs program at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. –organized by Janet Reiche

Monday, March 18, 2019
INNOVATIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Thomas J. Espenshade,  Professor of Sociology, Emeritus, at Princeton University spoke about the New Jersey Families Study, “How do families build skills in their pre-school children and help them get ready to learn?”  With the use of an “innovative video ethnography” in homes, the study is able to witness interactions between parents and children and collect valuable data particularly linked to cognitive and social-emotional development.
Dr Espenshade was graduated from The College of Wooster and received a Master’s degree from Yale University.  He completed his Doctorate at Princeton University. Following professorships at Bowdoin College, Florida State University and Brown University as well as the Urban Institute, he returned to Princeton University in 1991. During his tenure here, he served as Chair of the Department of Sociology.  Currently he is a Senior Scholar with the rank of Professor at the Office of Population Research, at Princeton University. –organized by Janet Reiche

Monday, February 18, 2019  President’s Day Program
“JIMMY CARTER, PEANUT FARMER TO PRESIDENT”

MONDAY, December 17, 2018   “White Christmas” Sanctuary of All Saints Episcopal Church
Our holiday program featured Emily Skilling and Tyler Weakland, both alumni of Westminster Choir College. The program featured classical music, carols, popular tunes, and a “Head-Banging” organ selection. Both young artists have quickly acquired extensive credentials since graduating in 2017 (Emily) and 2016 (Tyler). Emily Skilling has a Bachelors Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Georgia, and a Masters Degree in Voice Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College. She is a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, she has sung several leading opera roles with Westminster Opera Theater and is a regular concert soloist around the USA.  She is also a voice and piano teacher in the Princeton area. Tyler Weakland has a Sacred Music Degree with an emphasis in Piano from Westminster Choir College.  He recently made his Lincoln Center and David Geffen Hall debuts as a choral accompanist.  He has conducted choirs in Vienna and Oxford as part of the Choral Music Institute and he has had several residencies at the Spoleto Festival and was a member of the Spoleto Festival Orchestra.  Tyler has worked closely with the Metropolitan Opera language coach and is currently serving as Minister of Music for St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Windsor, NJ. —Barbara Johnson (Photos from meeting)

MONDAY, November 19, 2018   A proud Heritage:
African-American Presence in Hopewell Valley and Surrounding Areas
The November program of the Princeton Women’s College Club featured an interesting and important presentation tracing the legacy of slavery in the Sourland Mountains dating back to the Revolutionary War. It was given by Beverly Mills, Elaine Buck, and John Buck. Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills have researched and written a book “If These Stones Could Talk” which vocalizes not just the hardships and stark realities so many blacks faced as slaves and then “apprentices”, but also to underline the thriving communities and economic contributions of their ancestors.  Their research and the hours they spent with local elders led to the preservation of the Stoutsburg Cemetery and formation of the Stoutsburg African-American Museum. John Buck, is the current President of the Stoutsburg Cemetery Association and President of the Sourland African American Museum located in Skillman, NJ. Mr. Buck is a lifelong resident of Hopewell Borough.  He is retired from Princeton University Civil Engineering Department; he is also a member of Heavy and General Labor’s Local 172. He is proud to serve as President to such a distinguished group of African Americans who rose from slavery to being men and women of valor and are now lying in their final resting place at Stoutsburg. This fascinating collection of stories, song, and visual features should captivate our interest and imagination. As always, guests are welcome.  —Barbara Johnson.    Photos from meeting; courtesy of Nora Ananos). News clipping: New Home-museum-Stoutsburg Sourland: Mount Zion AME Church, will be future home of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum.

MONDAY, October 15, 2018    “POSTCARDS FROM A BOOK PUBLISHING CAREER” (photos of event) Richard Eiger, a retired book publisher, is a graduate of Pratt Institute where he majored in advertising design.  He began his career working for Western Publishing Golden Books and eventually became President of Macmillan Educational Company and Publisher of the World Almanac.Publishing books through periods of great change has always been a great challenge, and successfully met by American publishers.  His career in publishing has been a discovery of how book people worked together to publish against all odds and thrive.In these 20^thcentury snap shots you will meet some of the many wonderful people he has met along the way, formally and informally, at work and at play.  These people were committed to the collective principle of their publishing purpose.  They made it happen! And people like them still do today.In his 40 years of publishing paperbacks, children’s books, cook books, encyclopedias and dictionaries, his office never strayed beyond the confines of Midtown Manhattan, but the stories of people, projects, and events to be mentioned were played out across America and Western Europe.Mr. Eiger is trustee Emeritus of Pratt Institute, and is Trustee of The Delaware College of Art and Design.  He is a Francophile, joins book clubs, and is working tour guide for the Princeton Historical Society.  Mr. Eiger’s publishing memoir, entitled “Booked for Life” has been submitted to his literary agent. –Barbara Johnson

MONDAY, September 17, 2018    “GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE:  LOOKING AHEAD” Speaker: Heather Brady, Director of Education and Engagement for Grounds For Sculpture. In this newly created position, Brady is charged with supporting GFS’s education and public programming efforts to design and curate exciting and meaningful experiences that convey the great value of visual, performing, and literary arts for young children, youth, and adults of all backgrounds and interests. Brady comes to Grounds For Sculpture from The Noguchi Museum in New York, where she served as the head of education. In this position, she was responsible for overseeing programs designed to support visitors of all ages and abilities as they formed personal connections with the art, life, and vision of the museum’s founder and establishing enduring, collaborative relationships with area schools and community-based organizations. Brady also actively worked with marketing and development teams to raise the museum’s profile and secure support for its programming. “This is a place that was created for everyone,” Brady said of Grounds For Sculpture. Event organized by  Janet Reiche. (Heather Brady’s Photo: ~Courtesy Grounds for Sculpture)  Sept 17 General Meeting photos:~Courtesy of Kathy Hutchins)

Past General Meetings 2017-2018

May 21 2018 (1:00 p.m. at Windrows-Nassau Room) (12 noon-1 pm for members and their guests Annual Lunch and Board Members Annual Election–lunch menu). Speaker: Dr. Karen Fanta Zumbrunn presents: TRIBUTE TO WOMEN COMPOSERS AND LYRICISTS OF THE POPULAR SONG:  The Great American Songbook is a term that generally refers to those melodies and lyrics from the 20s through the 60s–pop tunes, stag musicals, movies which have been handed down from generation to generation and have stood the test of time.  It is a little known fact that many of our enduring music  classics of Tin Pan Alley were  written by WOMEN. Dr. Karen Zumbrunn presented the background on some of the amazing women who broke into what was very much a man’s world. Selections will include “Fine and Dandy”, “Don’t Blame Me”, “Just in Time”, and many others. This entertaining and informative program included Dr. Z at the piano and voice, and the audience participated as well. Dr. Zumbrunn has degrees from Ohio State (B.A and M.A) Harvard (Ed.M) and a PhD from The University of California at Berkeley.  She studied at the Sorbonne and L’Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris where she performed at the “Blue Note” in Paris and recorded with the International Stars of Jazz in Rome.  Dr. Zumbrunn performs widely in the area. Speaker invited by Barbara Johnson. CLICK HERE to see photos of event.

April 23, 2018 (11:30 a.m., at Present Day Club) Benefit lunch, bridge, and games
CLICK HERE to see information and photos.

March 19, 2018,  Ingrid Reed, speaker, on New Jersey Political Scene with a new Governor. “The State of New Jersey Politics and Policy: Do a New Governor and An Energized Electorate make a difference?” Ingrid W. Reed, our speaker, is a policy analyst focusing on New Jersey civic affairs.  She recently retired as director of the New Jersey Project at Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics, where her work concentrated on voter information, research on media coverage, government ethics and redistricting. Currently, she chairs the board of NJ Spotlight, an award-winning editorial website that delivers insight and information on issues critical to New Jersey.  Topics addressed are budget, education. energy and environment, along with other stateside concerns.   She also serves on the board of New Jersey Future, of which she is a founder, and on the NJ AARP Policy Advocacy Committee. With a new Governor in the Statehouse, what better time to think and talk about these critical issues than now.  Organized by Janet Reiche 

February 19, 2018  David Mulford: HARRY TRUMAN, THE MAN FROM INDEPENDENCE. Our speaker, David Mulford, has had a life-long interest in the American Presidents and their families.  His talk reflected on the life of a Missouri farm boy, without a college education, who overcame early failures to become one of the most popular presidents in the history of our country. The Reverend Dr. Mulford is a retired Presbyterian minister who has served churches in New York, New Jersey and Florida. He earned degrees from Colgate University  and the Princeton Theological Seminary and has taught adult education classes and Elder Hostels and speaks frequently to retirement communities, church groups and to the Women’s College Club. Organized by Barbara Johnson.

December 18, 2017  Jocelyn and Tom Colao: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (photos)
Jocelyn and Tom Colao presented our holiday program again this year. Jocelyn is a graduate of Westminster Choir College with a degree in vocal performance.  She made her solo debut at the Spoleto Music Festival and has appeared as soloist with the world-famous Westminster Chapel Choir and Princeton Promusica.  Jocelyn honored us with some solo pieces, accompanied by Tom, and performed a piece accompanying herself on the ukulele. Tom is a Westminster Choir College graduate.  He also attended The Mannes College of Music in Manhattan.  He is the Director of Music and Organist at All Saints Episcopal Church and maintains a busy schedule as a frequent soloist, composer, conductor, and organist.  Besides accompanying Jocelyn, he amazed us with a head- banging organ selection. The program brought back old memories of time at home with family and the nostalgia of holiday traditions. Our program was presented in the sanctuary, followed by refreshments.  As always, guests were welcome. -Barbara Johnson

November 20, 2017 Susan Hoskins, Executive Director of the Princeton Senior Resource Center,  was speaker at the November General Meeting. Susan Hoskins, Executive Director of the Princeton Senior Resource Center since 2002, will describe the programs and services offered by the Center, with a focus on lifelong learning programs.  These programs, including The Evergreen Forum and computer instruction, are open to aging adults living in the greater Princeton area.  In addition to her responsibilities at the Center, Susan has presented locally and nationally on topics including Conversations on Being Mortal, Hoarding, Bullying, and Family Caregiving Near and Far.  Recently, she obtained designation as an Age Friendly Community by the World Health Organization for Princeton.  She was honored in 2015 by the YWCA in Princeton Tribute to Women for her efforts toward the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. The Princeton Resource Center provides “stimulating study and discussion programs, encouraging active participation” by participants. Check out the PRSC’s website, princetonsenior.org -Janet Reiche

September 18, 2017.  A Princeton Institution Well Known Internationally–Speaker Jon Lambert, a local Entrepreneur Who Made Good!

Past General Meetings 2016-2017

May 15, 2017  (Photos) Election of new slate of club officers and Annual Benefit Luncheon, dining room at Windrows; luncheon started at 12:30 p.m., followed by a presentation: “THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM:  THE PRINCETON ARTS FESTIVAL’S 2017 SEASON” June is an exciting month for Princeton as the Princeton Festival, New Jersey’s premier performing arts festival presents its 2017 season.Recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding arts destination, the Festival includes opera, ballet, musicals, piano competitions, choral and orchestral concerts, jazz, lectures and workshops, and much more.It is an exciting time to be here and to have an opportunity to experience these events featuring “nationally-renowned professional artists in more than ten different types of performances.”We were taken into the heart of the Festival by our speaker, Gregory Geerhern,  Assistant Conductor, who spoke to us about “The Impossible Dream:  The Princeton Arts Festival’s 2017 Season”. Indeed an afternoon of excitement and inspiration. – Janet Reiche   

April 24, 2017 Susan Victor, Director of Counseling and Support Services, Womanspace, Inc., will present our program “BREAKING THE BONDS OF SILENCE—UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE”. Domestic violence and sexual assault are crimes against an individual, yet its impact affects us all. Domestic violence has no boundaries. It happens in every ethnic group and in all cultures. It crosses socio-economic lines and can affect teens, adults and the elderly. By understanding its impact we can break the bonds of silence that all too often keep victims isolated and afraid.This an important subject, particularly at the present time when our national support of women in general, and immigrant and refugees in particular, is unclear. I became excited about inviting Susan to present this program when I had an interesting discussion of the topic with her during a luncheon party. Susan is an ordained United Methodist minister and a licensed social worker. She received her Masters of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. She received training in Clinical Pastoral Education from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and currently works as chaplain as well as Director of Counseling at Womanspace. Susan is married and the mother of three sons. Womanspace is the lead service provider for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Mercer County, NJ. – Barbara Johnson

March 20, 2017 Michael Kownacky and Ted Otten, co-hosts of the “Dress Circle” on WWFM (89.1) will delight us with a lecture, “An American Legacy” in words and music. By following Richard Rogers’ music through his early work with Lorenz Hart and his later collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein, Michael and Ted will explore the development of the American Musical Theatre, including such popular shows as “Pal Joey”, “Babes in Arms”, “Oklahoma”, “Carousel”, “The King and I”, and “The Sound of Music.” Both Michael and Ted share backgrounds rooted in the theater. Michael has been associated with over 100 productions, as well as some films. He currently hosts two programs on WWFM, the classical network, “A Little Night Music” and “The Sunday Opera”. Ted also enjoys opera as well as Broadway.  He began writing reviews of plays while in high school and is now writing a theater column for “The Times of Trenton”. Both men have taught at Mercer County Community College in the English Department. -Janet Reiche

February 20, 2017 (Photos) “The Grover Clevelands — Princeton’s OTHER Presidential Couple” In the first program after our hundredth year celebration, The Reverend Dr. David Mulford will follow his previous presentation on President Woodrow Wilson with a look at the life and presidency of Grover Cleveland. He will explore the ties both Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland formed with Princeton. Grover Cleveland was born in New Jersey but rose to political power in New York.  When he concluded his 2nd term as President, in 1897 he and Mrs. Cleveland retired to Princeton where he was active in University and Community affairs until his death eleven years later.  His widow continued in Princeton until her death in 1947. Reverend Mulford refers to them as a “couple” even though  Mrs. Cleveland lived may years after her husbands death and was an important part of this community. David Mulford is a retired Presbyterian minister with degrees from Colgate University, Princeton Theological Seminary and Drew University.  He has served churches in New York, New Jersey and Florida.  He has spoken to civic clubs, retirement communities, college classes, church groups and has taught adult education programs and Elderhostels.    – Barbara Johnson 

January 16, 2017  All club members were invited to come to a morning continental breakfast at the Nassau Club at 10:00 a.m.  This winter gathering was a great chance for us to get to know one another better and to bring a friend who might be interested in joining the club.  Event hosted by Kathy Hutchins.

December 19, 2016: “Holiday Songs in Different Genres”
Jocelyn and Tom Colao presented  us with holiday songs.  They offered classical, musical theater, and in Jocelyn’s words, one “jazzy” selection. In Tom’s words, concluded their program with a “HEAD BANGING ORGAN SELECTION.” Click here for more photos taken by Kathy Hutchins.

November 14, 2016  
“Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center-A Unique Oasis in Princeton” speakers Catherine Geer and Cynthis McQuaid
This lakeside property, located just minutes from downtown Princeton, is surrounded by 370 acres of peaceful woodlands.  Close by is the historic Laurie House, a former hunt club, now a small inn.  A helipad is on the grounds.  Most of us know the area as a meeting place for conferences, a special place for tea, an Art Gallery, a setting for weddings or celebrations such as our 100^th Anniversary.  The Chauncey Center accommodates all these and so much more!  Catherine Geer and Cynthis McQuaid, our speakers, will share with us their “behind the scene” experiences at this unique place.

October 17, 2016    “All Things Albert Einstein”  presenter Tim Fagin, Princeton Tour Company. 
 (click here for more photos by Nora Ananos)

September 19, 2016  “Princeton Public Library and its role in the future of libraries” speaker Brett Bonfield, executive director of the Princeton Public Library 
(click here for more photos by Nora Ananos)

Past General Meeting Dates for 2015-2016

• September 21, 2015. Eve Mandel, Director of Programs and Visitor Services of the Princeton Historical Society. “Princeton: Then and Now” Photos taken by Patty O’Connell. The August 19, 2015 issue of The Princeton Sun (www.theprincetonsun.com) has an informative article about our September General Meeting. CLICK HERE to see the article by Vita Duva.
• October 19, 2015. “Princeton: Yesterday and Today.  Are we ready for the next Princeton?” J. Robert Hillier (Bob) will stimulate our thinking as he covers the last seventy years of architectural perspectives in Princeton.  Moving from today to tomorrow, he will discuss what is happening to real estate and the resultant architecture in our area. Always engaging and entertaining, Bob’s talk will alert us to our changing community. His architecture firm, Studio Hillier, was founded in 2011 with the belief that “architecture performs as both an index and path for advancing society and human history.”  It is internationally recognized and its architects have received many awards.  Bob is well known to us as he funds a scholarship in honor of our longtime member, his mother, Florence Hillier.
• November 16, 2015 “100 HUNDRED (plus) OF LANDAU’S”
  Robert Landau, grandson of the founder, Henry Landau, told us how the store evolved over 100 years, discussed some of the celebrities who have shopped there, mentioned how he and his brother Henry interacted with their suppliers and crafts people in the USA as well as world-wide, and the “Einstein Corner”.
• December 7, 2015:  Alanna Drzyga of Monday Morning Flowers demonstrated how to design seasonal styles arrangements for the holidays.
• January 18, 2016: No General Meeting. Gathering at the Nassau Club at 10:00 a.m. for coffee and goodies to begin the new year and catch up with all the planning for our 100^th birthday celebration on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the Chauncey Center at 3:00 p.m. 
• February 15, 2016  
  “Woodrow Wilson–One Hundred Years Later”
  Woodrow Wilson, much of whose life was centered in Princeton, was President of the United States when one hundred years ago the WOMEN”S COLLEGE CLUB of PRINCETON was organized.  In fact, in 1916 Wilson was elected to his second term as president.  In this talk, our speaker and friend, The Reverend Dr. David Mulford, takes a look at the often tumultuous life of our 28th president, from his birth in a Presbyterian Manse in Staunton, Virginia in 1856 to his death in Washington, DC in 1924. Photos taken by Nora Ananos.
• March 21, 2016 
  “Every Button has a Story:  What Stories Do Your Buttons Tell?”
  After working as a dance critic, a business journalist, and a blogger, Barbara Figge Fox inherited her grandmother’s button collection.  Now, as a button evangelist, she told entertaining and compelling stories about vintage, antique and modern buttons. Barbara is a vice president of the New Jersey State Button Society which celebrates National Button Week, March 15 to 21, and invited audience to attend the New Jersey State Button Society show in Titusville, New Jersey, on May 7.
• April 10, 2016  Our 100^th birthday celebration , at the Chauncey Center on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. CLICK HERE for more photos.
• May 16, 2016: GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL LUNCHEON: Elizabeth M. Casparian, PhD, Executive Director, HiTOPS; “THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME?  A LOOK AT YOUTH CULTURE IN A MODERN WORLD” Her presentation focused on how youth and young adults in today’s modern world are different from and similar to youth throughout the ages, and on issues of how social media, bullying, decision making, and family dynamics have evolved and what the long term impacts could be on our children, grandchildren, and future generations. Photo credits to Nora Ananos;click herefor more photos from the May 16, 2016, Monday GENERAL MEETING LUNCHEON:

 

Past General Meeting Dates for 2014 – 2015

• September 15, 2014. Dr. R. Barbara Gitenstein, president of the College of New Jersey on “Contemporary Challenges for Quality Higher Education in America”
• October 20, 2014. Tom Colao on “All Saints Church Choir’s Tour of Europe”
• November 17, 2014. Jon Hauge, of Savory Spice Shop, on spices, history and other uses of them.
• December 8, 2014. Stuart Country Day School “TartanTones” was the special feature.
• January 19, 2015. Nassau Club social coffee.
• February 16, 2015. Rev. David Mulford on “The Presidents Clubs: Recent Presidents in Retirement”
• March 16, 2015 Kenneth Woodrow Henke on “Princeton Seminary, over 200 Years: Its Story and Stories”
• April 27, 2015 Bridge Benefit Luncheon and General Meeting. This is the club’s one fundraiser for 2014- 2015 on Monday at the Present Day Club. 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Bridge and board games were features of the occasion. Co-chairs Carol Stawski and Aloha Holloway.
• May 18, 2015 Annual Business Luncheon Meeting (Annual Meeting with election of the 2015-2016 Board Members and Annual Luncheon.  Guest Speaker: Susan Gange of Stony Brook Orchids on “Growing Orchids in the Home.”

 Past General Meeting Dates for 2013 – 2014

• September 16, 2013. Dr. James Hester on “All Hail the Humanities”
• October 21, 2013. Tony Sala, composer, on “Music Across the Americas”
• November 18, 2013. Lynda Woods Cleary on “The Relevance of Temperance and Decorum in the 21st Century”
• December 9, 2013. Holiday program: The American Boy Choir
• February 17, 2014. Reverend Dr. David Mulford on “Four Near-Great Presidents and What Made Them So”.
• March 24, 2014.   John Miller, lapidarian: “Rocks that Dazzle.”
• April 28, 2014 – April Bridge Benefit Luncheon Annual Fundraiser at Present Day Club, starting at 11:30 a.m.
• May 19 – Annual Business Luncheon, with Jane Peter Estes speaking on “Women in the Victorian Age.”, starting at 12 noon.

Past General Meeting Dates for 2012 – 2013

• September 17, 2012. Princeton University Professor of Sociology Thomas Espenshade.
• October 15, 2012. Rev. David E. Mulford on U.S. Presidents.
• November 19, 2012. Larry Friend, the flag man, from Annandale, NJ.
• December 10, 2012. American Boy Choir.
• February 18, 2103. Mr. Alan Mallach on Italian Opera.
• March 18, 2013.  Ms. Gwendolyn Jones, Founder of The Garden State Storytellers’ League, Inc.
• April 22, 2013. April Fundraiser at the Present Day Club.
• May 20, 2013. Annual Business Luncheon Meeting, 12:00 pm – Elections – Speaker: Mr. J. Robert Hillier.