General Meetings
GENERAL MEETINGS
EACH MEETING WILL BE HELD THE THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 1 PM, in-person, at the Stockton Education Center, at Morven, 55 Stockton Street, unless noted otherwise. Guests of members are always welcome at General Meetings and we extend a special invitation to our new members.
2021-2022 Schedules:
SEPT 20, OCT 18, NOV 15, DEC 20, JAN 24, FEB 21, MAR 21, APR 18, May 16 SCHOLARSHIP TEA (awarding ceremony) 3-5 p.m., JUNE 20 Annual Meeting, Board Election, and Luncheon 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Windrows’ Nassau Room; special guest speaker: Gillian Bartels-Quansah, 2021 scholarship recipient.
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Final General Meeting : upcoming –
June 20, 2022 Monday, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Annual Meeting, Executive Board Election, and Luncheon (reservation form) Windrows’ Nassau Room. For members and their guests.
ARCHIVE:
Past General Meetings 2021-2022
May 16, 2022 Monday SCHOLARSHIP AWARD TEA from 3-5 PM at the Stockton Education Center at Morven, we awarded 17 scholarships to graduating senior high school young women from the Princeton area high schools. We heard all about the fabulous accomplishments of these young women. Club members met and greeted all of the young ladies, their parents and their younger siblings, and their college/career counselors. It was a very inspirational experience for everyone. Award Ceremony (Flyer_Poster) WCCP Winners 2022_photo collage.
April 18, 2022 Monday “Criminal Minds, Killer Handwriting”
Terry Antoniewitz has been fascinated with handwriting ever since the 1960s. She discovered the magic of calligraphy and the mystery of handwriting analysis, which has led to her work with police departments, private detectives, courts and newspapers. At our April 18 meeting Terry will present a unique program focusing on some of the most high-profile criminal cases. She uses handwriting specimens of killers to explain their behaviors with stunning outcomes which may surprise and enlighten us. April Flyer, designed by Nora Ananos.
March 21, 2022 Monday “Notable Women in Art: How Many Can You Name?”
At the March 21 program Princeton University Art Museum docent Joyce Felsenfeld discussed women artists from the early 17th century to modern times. She explored the challenges that women have had, and still have, becoming artists of great renown. She also discussed the different ways women are depicted in art. After many years on the faculty of Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, Joyce Felsenfeld became a docent at the Princeton University Art Museum in 2016. She has a passion for teaching, the arts, museums, and traveling. She greatly enjoys being a docent and sharing her love of art with both children and adults, and looks forward to the re-opening of the Princeton University Art museum in 2024. March Flyer. Photos by Nora Ananos.
The Reverend Doctor Mulford will again share his knowledge and passion for presidential history on Presidents’ Day. One hundred years ago, the Roaring Twenties transformed America. This talk focuses on some of the characteristics of that decade and discusses its three presidents: Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover.
David Mulford is a retired Presbyterian minister, who has degrees from Colgate University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Drew University. He served churches in New York, New Jersey and Florida. He and his wife Nancy live in Skillman. Photos. Poster.
CANCELLED: January 24, 2022 Monday. (see January Newsletter) Social Time, continental breakfast, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Getting to know each other. Introducing our new members. White Elephant benefit sale; all proceeds go to the WCCP scholarship fund. Location: Morven’s Stockton Educational Center.
Monday, December 20, 2021 — Holly Jolly Music and Sing-Along with Julie Markavitch-Caudle on Keyboard. Classical pianist Julie Markavitch-Caudle got us in a festive spirit with Holiday music on the keyboard and led us in a sing-along of some of our favorite Holiday songs. Pianist Julie Markavitch–Caudle is the Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton Square on Nottingham Way. Jackie Bloom and her team led us afterwards singing Jewish Hanukkah songs. Photos by Nora Ananos. December Flyer.
Monday, November 15, 2021 — “War of the Worlds – A West Windsor Story with a Plainsboro Twist” The speaker will be Mr. William Hart, a Plainsboro historian and author, who will discuss: “War of the Worlds – A West Windsor Story with a Plainsboro Twist”. On October 30, 1938, Orson Wells and his Mercury Theatre on the Air performed a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells “War of the Worlds”, converting the novel into fake news bulletins describing a Martian invasion of NJ. Some listeners mistook the bulletins for the real thing and were thrown into a panic. Mr. Hart will discuss the mass hysteria response to this fake news event and share his passion for Plainsboro history. Photos by Nora Ananos.
Monday, October 18 2021 — presenter: Michele Granberg, M.A. – Mindset Coach. “Adjusting to life changing events” With a background in counseling and psychology Michele Granberg discussed adjusting to a life changing event, such as the loss of a loved one, and the healing power of laughter. In her practice on Route 1, as a mindset coach, hypnotherapist and meditation teacher, she works with individuals to “return to balance and inner resiliency” and to “tap into existing strengths”. https://www.michelegranberg.com. Photos by Nora Ananos.
Monday, September 20, 2021, speaker, Jill M. Barry, Executive Director of Morven Museum and Garden, spoke to us on the topic, “Historic Morven — A Window into America’s Past and Future.” Beginning with an introduction of Richard Stockton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his wife, Annis Boudinot Stockton, one of the first female published poets in America, she led us through the generations, including the three generations of enslaved, who lived and worked at Morven which became the residence of New Jersey Governors from the 1950’s through 1982. During her five-year tenure at Morven, Jill Barry has overseen the building of the $5.6 million building where we are now meeting monthly as well as the renovation of the permanent collection of history galleries at the Museum. The site now represents everyone who lived and worked in this historic building leading the interpretation trend in historic sites. With 25 years of cultural experience, she is an advocate for the transformational power of the arts. Photos of meeting.
Past General Meetings 2020-2021
Monday, May 24, 2021: Virtual Zoom chats with the 2021 Scholarship winners and all club members.
Monday, April 19, 2021: “ÉDOUARD MANET: A GLIMPSE INTO HIS LIFE, HIS ART, AND THE VIBRANT TIMES IN 19TH CENTURY PARIS” This presentation on Manet, a lifelong Parisian who is often called the Father of Modern Art, provided details on his life, his art, and the times in 19th Century Paris. We went into influences on his art, his style, techniques, and subjects. We looked at and discussed some of his most admired paintings and talked about his legacy in the world of art. Joyce Felsenfeld, a longtime faculty member at Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, joined the Princeton University Art Museum Docent Association in 2016. She has a passion for teaching, the arts, traveling, and all things French. She enjoys being a docent, sharing her knowledge and love of art with people of all ages. Joyce views art as a great connector, celebrating creativity, innovation, diversity, and the human spirit. Organizer: Janet Reiche; photos by Nora Ananos.
William Hart is a Project Manager by vocation and a writer/local historian by avocation. The former president of the Plainsboro Historical Society, he now serves as the President of the Friends of the Historic Wicoff House Museum in Plainsboro. Mr. Hart is the author of three Arcadia local history books, including one called “Images of America: Plainsboro”. The writing of this book is what led to his particular interest in Elsie the Cow. The original Elsie lived and is buried in Plainsboro. Mr. Hart has spent many hours with local inhabitants who recall the various Elsie’s who lived in Plainsboro, and even more time with a woman who traveled across the country with Elsie. He is also the author of “The Lenape of Plainsboro” and lectures on local historical topics of interest. Mr. Hart and his wife live in Plainsboro. Elsie the Cow was one of the ten most popular trademarks of the 20th century. Bill Hart will describe how Elsie came to be “born” at the 1939-1940 New York City’s World’s Fair and how she evolved out of one of many Borden advertising caricatures of the 1930s into the spoke-cow of the Borden Dairy Company. When not at the World’s Fair, Elsie lived at the Walker Gordon Dairy in Plainsboro, NJ. After her untimely demise in 1941, Elsie was buried on the Walker Gordon farm and her replacement continued living there. Mr. Hart will tell how the new Elsie traveled around the country with two local farm teenagers and earned $10,000,000 in War Bonds. We will learn about Elsie’s marriage to Elmer the Bull, the birth of Baby Beulah, and Elsie’s appearance in an MGM film. This presentation about Elsie the Cow was organized by Barbara Johnson. Photos by Nora Ananos.
John Calkins led us, the College Club Chorus (all members),through a variety of favorite holiday songs and entertained us with his spirited vocal renditions. What better way to lighten our hearts during this festive season which will be celebrated much differently this year. John is a versatile vocal performer as well as an educator. A Carnegie Hall soloist, he also teaches and lectures to many audiences. His repertoire includes jazz, rock and roll, musical theatre and classical music pieces. Many of his students have performed on the Broadway stage as well as on National tours throughout the country. Members joined in the spirit of the afternoon by “donning” their festive red or green, sang enthusiastically and listened with joy as John entertained us with his holiday magic in songs, “it’s the most Wonderful Time of the Year.” (Photos by Nora Ananos)
In this brief, but comprehensive overview of the U.S. woman suffrage movement (1848-1920), our speaker, Kris Myers, explored key suffrage leaders, discussed issues that they grappled with, and explored the strategies they used to win women’s right to vote. Kris is an ardent fan of U.S. women’s history, particularly of the women’s suffrage movement. She has over 16 years of experience researching and speaking on the women’s suffrage history while serving as program director at the Alice Paul Institute located in Paulsdale, Mt Laurel Township, New Jersey. We learned more about Alice Paul, a graduate of Swarthmore College, who devoted her energies to obtain the right to vote for women as well as others involved in this important mission. Currently Kris Myers teaches history and women’s studies courses at several NJ colleges. She also serves as the program coordinator for the Gail Bierenbaum Women’s Leadership Council at Rider University. —-Program organized by Janet Reiche. Photos by Nora Ananos.
We had an interesting presentation by Dr. Cherot on COVID-19 and women’s health issues. In the current environment, this was a timely talk. Dr. Elizabeth Cherot is an established and highly skilled physician with over 20 years of experience in obstetrics and gynecology. In addition to her expert clinical skills, she is committed to improving OB/GYN care, reducing morbidity and mortality while implementing cost reduction and providing an efficient business model for today’s OB/GYN practice. She completed undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University and obtained her medical degree at the University of Rochester in New York. While a resident at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Strong Memorial Hospital, she engaged in several research projects resulting in publications and was honored with membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Upon completion of her residency, Dr Cherot headed south working as an OB/GYN at Eastside Women’s Specialists in Birmingham, Alabama. From there she relocated to New Jersey taking a position at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as faculty and clinician. Here her leadership skills were demonstrated as she was instrumental in creating and overseeing a new residency training program at a local community hospital. In this role, she created an award-winning curriculum, established a financially independent business model, recruited faculty and mentored medical students. She is currently Assistant Clinical Professor at this institution. She completed the Executive MBA at Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business in 2016. She has been awarded numerous honors throughout her career including several National Excellence in Teaching Awards. She has given numerous presentations including such topics as “Value Based Specialty Care” and “Enhanced Recovery Program for Cesarean Delivery”. She has been instrumental in launching a midwifery program and a newly designed Birthing Center which opened in 2019 at St. Peters University Hospital.
“What’s New in New Jersey’s Government and Politics: The Pandemic and More”Past General Meetings 2019-2020
Monday, May 18 (Annual Luncheon Meeting at Princeton Windrows) Event cancelled and postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19.
Monday, March 16, 2020 (Cancelled due to pandemic; postponed to 2021) Title: “Elsie the Cow: A Mooving Tale” Speaker; William Hart.
Monday, February 17, 2020 (Presidents’ Day). Title: Theodore Roosevelt–ONE OF A KIND.
h president, Theodore Roosevelt served from 1901-1909. A man of boundless energy and mammoth interests, he accomplished much. Yet, as one scholar observed, “Theodore Roosevelt is illusive”. Just when you think you know him, you don’t.” This talk attempts to address the puzzle of TR.No January 2020 General Meeting
John Calkins Villemaire is a versatile vocal performer who has spent much of his time entertaining audiences, lecturing, teaching students and performing with professional opera companies. He is a Carnegie Hall soloist and has received many accolades for his performances from Opera News. His repertoire ranges from classical to musical theatre.Mr Calkins, as he is known, provides musical programs with themes. For our December meeting, he lectured on the holiday music and entertained us with songs appropriate for the season. His tenor voice filled the Chapel at All Saints as well as ours as we “sang along” with our favorites. -organized by Janet Reiche; greeter-Carol Stokes, Board Member; photos taken by Nora Ananos.
Monday, November 18, 2019 : A Debut Author’s Journey: From Concept to Cover
Maureen Reid discussed the road she traveled in publishing her first novel titled “Becoming Herself”. Combining humor with thoughtful introspection, she will share her story of how to turn into a debut author after enjoying a successful career managing colleges, corporations and international law firms. Following a synopsis of the novel, Maureen shared her experiences on how she is learning to navigate in this new world. She just sat down and started to tell a story. Maureen believes that women can do anything they want, once they put their minds to it. It is the message that resonates in her book. – Organized by Barbara Johnson
Albert D. Horner is an award-winning photographer whose images show the quiet beauty and intimate landscapes of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve. A resident of Medford Lakes, New Jersey, he grew up exploring this unique area. With his photography he records the “oak and pine forests, cedar swamps, meandering waterways and native wildflowers that make the Pine Barrens a place like no other.” The Pinelands includes portions of seven southern New Jersey counties and encompasses over one million acres, 22% of New Jersey’s land area. It is the largest body of open space on the mid-Atlantic seaboard between Richmond and Boston and is home to dozens of rare plant and animal species. Al is a Pinelands Preservation Alliance Board member. He uses his art to advocate on behalf of this ecologically important region. As he states, “My greatest dream is to capture the beauty of the Pinelands and, then have those images help preserve it.” He shared those images with us as he spoke about this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. (Photos by Nora Ananos) Organized by Janet Reiche.
Jim Hecht is a Library Consultant who is presently serving as the interim Library Director and providing guidance to the library board of the Princeton Public Library as it goes through the search process for a new librarian. Jim wove some of his experiences that go back to 1973 with today’s public libraries, (including Princeton’s Public Library, of course) and gave some thoughts about the public library of the future. Jim, a certified Professional Librarian, who has BA in History, and a MLS in Library and Informational Science from the University of Pittsburgh is a certified Professional Librarian with extensive experience with these duties and strategic planning with many libraries in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Organized by Barbara Johnson. (Photos by K. Hutchins)Past General Meetings 2018-2019
Monday, May 20 2019. At the Annual Luncheon meeting, held at Windrows-Nassau Room, at 12:00 p.m., the club president presented the annual reports from various committees, and informed members of the new board and chairs for the following year. Part of the lunch proceeds went towards the Scholarship Fund. Menu and Reservation Form. Special program guests were PRINCETON FESTIVAL Asst. Director Gregory Geehem and festival singers. Photos by Nora Ananos
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”
David Mulford, who has had a life long interest in the American presidency, presented an entertaining and well researched talk on the life of Jimmy Carter. Rev. Dr. David Mulford has degrees from Colgate University, Princeton Theological Seminary and Drew University. He has taught adult educations classes, Elderhostel classes and college classes, and has spoken to church groups and civic clubs and retiremrnt communities.
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 20thcentury 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 100th 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 100th 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 100th 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.
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The Women's College Club of Princeton NJ 