The Women's College Club of Princeton NJ

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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. Art books for sale at General Meetings; proceeds go to WCCP Scholarship Fund.

UPCOMING 2018 General Meeting:
April 23, 2018 (11:30 a.m., at Present Day Club) Benefit lunch, bridge, and games
(Menu and registration form: FUNDRAISER-Apr2018-menu-formPDF, due April 13)

May 21 2018 (12:00 p.m. at Windrows) Annual Lunch –
Speaker: Dr. Karen Fanta Zumbrunn presents: TRIBUTE TO WOMEN COMPOSERS AND LYRICISTS OF THE POPULAR SONG
WCCP-ZumbrunnPhotoThe 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.

Join Dr. Karen Zumbrunn as she presents 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 will include Dr. Z at the piano and voice, and the audience will participate 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.

Barbara Johnson
 For more detailed information on upcoming events, refer to the Monthly Newsletter  or Press Releases under News.

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Past General Meetings 2017-2018     

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

October 16, 2017  “The Curious Geographer”
Our October program featured Helen Goddard, the wife of a Professor at the Institute of Advanced Study, and an educator in her own right.  Mrs. Goddard’s main interest is geography and her description of her talk was very enticing.
“A geographer seeks to understand the world around him or her.  Why has the Appalachian Trail been extended to Ireland?  What is a Dutch polder? Why did it take so long to find the source of the River Nile?  Can Uluru really be an old delta?  In this talk I will focus on a few of the many geographical features that are interesting to me and, I hope, will be to you too.”
Mrs. Goddard graduated with a degree in Geology from Cambridge University.  She has taught in several schools including a state school for children age 11 to 18, The International School in Geneva, Switzerland, and a 6th form College in Cambridge, England. Since coming to America in 2004 she has taught a geography course at the Evergreen Forum and has spoken at various local places including Community Without Walls, the Friends of the Institute for Advanced Study, The Nassau Club, The Present Day Club, the Stuart Day School and Stonebridge and Windrows.
 
Apart from geography Mrs. Goddard likes to dabble in gardening and cooking, and she runs an English Conversation group for visitors to the Institute for Advanced Study every Monday. Speaking with her while arranging this program has been extremely enjoyable and enlightening.

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

For quite a few years, we have enjoyed learning about local businesses that belong to our community. One of our members suggested this year’s speaker, a boy who attended Princeton High School with her son.  His story is a good illustration of how he turned a store specializing in a product that would have been expected to become obsolete by changes in modern technology to evolve into a successful institution. Jon told us about the history of The Record Exchange, which began in the early 70’s when the founder drove a van  around the North East, then found a  small location on Nassau St.,  and finally moved to its present location on Tulane St. He discussed how the store survived the digital revolution of 2000, a time when all major record stores closed within the next ten years, how many visitors to Princeton come just to shop in The Record Exchange, how they attract and continue to see a large roster of dealers who come from all over the world to buy records and resell them in their homeland.  He will discuss how he and his staff acquire merchandise and how they encourage customers to sell their unwanted product to them. It is the used merchandise that makes the Record Exchange popular, the concept of “exchange”, shifting configurations of music and movies, cassettes to CDs, VHS to DVD and Blu-Rays, but always vinyl. The store creates a welcoming environment to encourage “physical” shoppers, and they join social media to engage younger customers and to maintain relationships with their customer base. Jon will be accompanied by Ben Chatrer, an employee who has been working at PREX for about 30 years and is the main record appraiser. Jon’s early years were spent in Hopewell; his teen years in Princeton, and presently in Rocky Hill with his wife, a local librarian, and two fat cats. Jon has a passion for books, and of course, music.

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.”

0937GenMtgDec2016ColaoHolidaySongsClick 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. 
GenMtg17octDSC_0018 (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 
Program Co-Chair, Barbara Johnson, introduces Brett Bonfield, executive director of the Princeton Public Library DSC_0113 (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.8-WCCP 100th Anniversary2016_0034- Treby Williams, Murray Peyton, Nancy Malkiel
  • 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.Elizabeth M. Casparian, PhD, Executive Director, HiTOPS, after the Luncheon at All Saints Church.GenMtgMay16_2016_07Photo credits to Nora Ananos;click herefor more photos from the May 16, 2016, Monday GENERAL MEETING LUNCHEON:

 

Past General Meeting Dates for 2014 – 2015

 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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