LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Nov. 8
Condemnatory letter was ‘unneighborly’
To the editor:
I write in response to the unfortunate letter to the editor (The Packet, Nov. 4), which condemned the recent printing of a "Health Matters" column in Spanish. The writer expressed "anger and disappointment" that the column took up "space originally intended for the English-speaking community."
I hope the members of our local Hispanic community realize that the vast majority of their neighbors do not, I fervently believe, share this exclusionary perspective. There is plenty of room for well-intentioned disagreement regarding specific policy responses to the needs of a multilingual society. But to object to a tiny bit of outreach to our neighbors who speak another language, especially when the subject at issue is their health, strikes me as, well, unneighborly.
One of the more lamentable aspects of our society, which is laudable in so many other ways, is our general lack of interest in learning to communicate in languages other than English. Perhaps little initiatives such as The Packet’s Spanish columns may even encourage more of us to learn other tongues. In any case, a nuestros amigos hispanicos, bienvenidos.
Brian Zack
Stetson Way
Princeton
Anti-Spanish letter is small-minded
To the editor:
I’m always astonished, and always a little disappointed, at how unabashedly people still express their bigotry and small-mindedness. In an age where we are all pretty jaded, as I read Nina Boyden’s letter (The Packet, Nov. 4) regarding her "anger and disappointment" over The Packet printing a health article in Spanish, I felt as if someone had punched me in the stomach.
I think racism has always had at its core a fear of the unknown or the unfamiliar. We tend to be suspicious of the things and people we don’t understand or that are unlike us, and we eventually rationalize that fear in a way that makes it just.
Ms. Boyden, yo soy una hispana, nacida en Cuba. Cuando cumpli dieceoche anos me hice una ciudadana Americana y siempre e pensado que este pais es uno de opportunidad y esperanza para el mundo entero. Es el unico lugar en el mundo a donde todos podemos tener differencias en nuestras opiniones sin tener que tener medio de persecucion, un pais a donde personas con opiniones comos las suyas tambien pueden escriberle a la prensa para todos leerla.
Ms. Boyden, should you need to translate the second part of this letter, I suggest you go to your local library and find yourself a Spanish-English dictionary. While there, why don’t you also read over some other documents? I suggest the U.S. Constitution, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Ten Commandments, just for starters.
Maria Gonzalez-Larkin
Bolton Circle
Montgomery
Veterans Day is day to say thank you
To the editor:
Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a day that was first established as Armistice Day in a proclamation issued by President Woodrow Wilson on Nov. 11, 1919, to commemorate the first anniversary of the truce that ended World War I. It offers Americans the opportunity to recognize and thank the men and women who have served in our armed forces.
When one takes the time to consider the numerous events that have occurred in the past several years that have required members of our armed forces to respond, then one can only be thankful that we have men and women who willing and able to confront those challenges. They are engaged in the war on terror in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. They were ready to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina and did so in outstanding fashion.
Millions of other Americans endured the sacrifices and hardships necessary to successfully carry out the missions of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Still others were involved in action in Lebanon and Grenada, Panama and the Persian Gulf. All gave some and some gave all, and they did so without reservation or equivocation. They come from all walks of life with great diversity but they all share a common belief in the United Sates of America and the ideals that our founding fathers set forth in the Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4, 1776.
We owe much to the men and women who have served our great nation and it is a debt that we can never adequately repay. But veterans are proud individuals who don’t seek great reward for what they’ve done. They appreciate the benefits that are afforded them by virtue of their service but what they appreciate even more is a simple thank you expressed by a fellow countryman.
I encourage all Americans to participate in one of the many Veterans Day services that will be held around New Jersey this Nov. 11, or to simply say thank you to the friends and neighbors that they know served our great nation. It’s what Veterans Day is all about and those two little words are sure to bring a smile to the face of every veteran.
Joseph M. Gugliuzza
State Commander
New Jersey American Legion
West Hanover Street
Trenton
‘Very lucky guy’ happy to contribute
To the editor:
The annual appeal for the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad is now in progress and I would like to encourage all the citizens of Princeton to respond to this very worthy plea and send your tax-deductible contribution to Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad Inc., P.O. Box 529, Princeton, NJ 08542. Do it today. I just put my check in the mail, as we have always done for the past 38 years since we moved to this wonderful town.
Twice in the past five years since my wife passed away, I have owed my life to the Princeton Township police response to 9-1-1, the immediate arrival of the rescue squad and, of course, the superb care of the University Medical Center at Princeton).
Last Jan. 25, realizing I was in the throes of congestive heart failure, I dialed 9-1-1 and somehow managed to convey my problem and address to the officer on duty. Within less than two minutes, a township policeman entered the house, followed within another two minutes by rescue squad people. It had snowed the previous day and night and the driveway was covered about a foot deep, so they carried me on a stretcher out to the ambulance on the street.
The short ride to the hospital was very quick (I don’t know how long it will take to the new hospital location). I remember being wheeled into the emergency room and my next memory was awakening with the tubes in my nose and throat. They told me that I also had a heart attack, so this very lucky guy is very happy to be here and able to send that check to this terrific volunteer organization that responded to 2,321 calls in 2004.
Why don’t you join me and send your contribution today.
Phil Porado
Valley Road
Princeton
Events remain cherished traditions
To the editor:
The Arts Council of Princeton would like to thank the many individuals and organizations who made possible its two splendid Halloween programs and its conTEMPORARY Art Center’s open house celebration.
The annual Hometown Halloween Parade, as always, provided merriment for all. Thanks to the Nassau Inn and Palmer Square Management for supplying treats and pumpkin painting following the parade; Princeton Borough Police for diverting traffic; Princeton Borough Fire Department for contributing its firetruck to dramatically bring up the rear of the parade; and Princeton University band, without whom the parade would not have had anywhere near the same energy. The Arts Council also thanks Susan Zamtack for her convincing role as the Headless Horseman; Rip Pellaton for his part as Princeton’s very own town crier; Small World Coffee for providing free hot chocolate to all the children who participated; and Design Within Reach and Magician Jeff for the enthrallling post-parade magic show.
For the second year, our annual Spooky Saturday workshop part of The Arts Council’s Family Fun Day series focused on gargoyles. We are so grateful to Princeton University Art Museum for co-sponsoring the event; Carolyn Cassells for making arrangements for the program; Alex Barnett for coordinating the campus gargoyle tour leading up to the clay workshop; and docents Elizabeth Murray, Jeanne Mazzetti, and Paulo Barbosa for leading the tour. The gargoyles captivated the children and inspired them after the tour to create their own terrifying beasts out of clay. We are also indebted to all the dedicated volunteers who worked so hard to make each event a remarkable success.
And finally, thanks to all those who helped get our new conTEMPORARY Arts Center ready for the public and also make its open house celebration such a joyous occasion. We are extremely grateful to architect Maximillian Hayden, Lewis Barber Construction, Princeton Shopping Center and the committed volunteers who actually helped to paint the walls of the new space. Thanks also to Stephen Allen, who performed and provided the PA system; singer-songwriter Kyle Van Dyke and jazz group Back Porch Swing, who played a spectacular set; Lisa Bottalico and her students for their stunning flamenco dance performance; and Bon Appetit, McCaffrey’s Markets and Small World Coffee for providing delightful refreshments.
Thanks again to everyone including all who participated for their part in ensuring these Halloween events remain cherished traditions in Princeton. Although we have temporarily changed locations, we will continue to provide arts and cultural programs in the Princeton community.
Randi Lund
Public Relations/Events Coordinator
Arts Council of Princeton
North Harrison Street
Princeton
Golf outing enjoys outpouring of support
To the editor:
On behalf of the families and individuals we serve at Family and Children’s Services of Central New Jersey, I extend my deep appreciation for all those who sponsored and joined us for the fourth annual Jim Hughes Memorial Golf Classic recently held at the Bedens Brook Club. The board of directors, staff and I were delighted with the outpouring of support from the community and thankful for so gorgeous a golfing day.
We are grateful to the following for their generous sponsorship: Anonymous Foundation, Bradford Investment Group, Commerce Bank, Dove Bid, Fox/Rothschild/O’Brien & Frankel, Glenmede Trust, Gloria Nilson/GMAC, Howe Insurance Group, Jamison/Eaton and Wood, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Johnson & Johnson, Long Motor Co., Mercedes Benz of Princeton, Merrill Lynch and Co., PNC Bank and PNC Advisors, Princeton Real Estate Group, Sun National Bank, The Mills Foundation and Wilson Sporting Goods.
We also thank our generous donors: The Hughes children, Alexander Buck, David Christie, John Hayward, James W. MacKenzie, Kevin and Victoria McCarthy, Leah and Brian McDonald, Frank McDougald, James McKenzie, Peyton Associates, Jay and Amy Regan, G. Carter Sednaoui, Stanley Tarr, Toby Taylor, William Roebling, Jonathan Weiner and Caroline and Helmut Weymar.
A special thanks is in order for the event co-chairs, Susan Tibbetts and Meghan Schoennagel; for Bob and Mary Garrett; for Katie Redmond; for our friends with the Merrill Lynch Global Private Client Marketing Division; Long Motor Co.; and for Bedens Brook Club. Without their help, the benefit event would not have happened.
Finally, but not least, we thank the many individuals and local companies that contributed auction and raffle items, and the golfers and reception guests who created such a fun and festive atmosphere in which funds were raised to support FACS. Proceeds will subsidize counseling and outreach services for the working poor and uninsured families and individuals of our community, as well as our newly relocated neighbors who are evacuees of Hurricane Katrina.
Mimi Ballard
Executive Director
Family and Children’s Services of Central New Jersey
John Street
Princeton
Use coupons to fight hunger
To the editor:
We wish to alert readers in Princeton to the fact that there is an ongoing fundraising program in the McCaffrey’s and Wegmans supermarkets. At each checkout counter in these stores, coupons in $1, $3 and $5 denominations may be added into your grocery bills. The proceeds go directly to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.
The food bank has been providing food to agencies and churches in Mercer County for more than 18 years. It has distributed an average of some $1.3 million annually to nearly 60 organizations.
As you must be aware, hunger is a pressing problem in many parts of our country. The Mercer Street Friends Food Bank is supplying food to many people in Mercer County who would otherwise go hungry.
Please join us in our fight against hunger by making use of these coupons.
Janet Townsend
Maureen Darrow
Mercer Street Friends Food Bank
Mercer Street
Trenton
Enjoy autumn colors at Plainsboro Preserve
To the editor:
There is still a wonderful opportunity to see nature’s best autumn display right here in central New Jersey. The Plainsboro Preserve, with its 1,000 acres of contiguous preserved forest, lake and fields, is wearing its fall finery as the frosty evenings and sunny days bring out the best of the red, purple, yellow, orange and gold colors around placid McCormack Lake.
Before the winds pick up, the rains come and the leaves begin to drop, you still have time to walk the trails, and see the results of cooperative planning by municipal, county, state and federal officials in combination with the New Jersey Audubon Society commitment to the Environmental Education Center at the Plainsboro Preserve.
Further information can be found via Plainsboro’s Web site at www.plainsboronj.com.
Neil J. Lewis
Environmental Liaison/Deputy Mayor
Plainsboro Township
Bradford Lane
Plainsboro

