LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, May 21
By:
Opera Guild is important resource
To the editor:
Thank you for recognizing the growing artistic quality and burgeoning audience of the Opera Festival of New Jersey as we enter our 19th season. Part of what strengthens an organization is its ability to learn from mistakes and become stronger and better focused. As you pointed out in your recent article (The Packet, May 3), this is just what the Opera Festival of New Jersey is doing.
Multi-part harmony offers the richest sound, and as the newly formed Opera Festival of New Jersey Guild, we are delighted to be working in concert with the board, management and staff at the Opera Festival of New Jersey. The guild is an important new resource to strengthen and sustain the organization, which has brought so much joy to so many for almost two decades.
We at the guild are pleased that so many are responding to our invitation to join. We are creating opportunities for enthusiastic members to support fund-raising efforts, plan special events and help with programs to include more families and children, as well as young adults. We are also exploring innovative ideas from our members for ways to enhance our artistic and financial success.
Sometimes, crisis creates new appreciation for what is important. We welcome your acknowledgment of our determination to remain a vital and distinguished contributor to the arts here in New Jersey.
Jean Brown, President
Stephanie Broidy, Secretary
Judy Gelfand, Treasurer
Carol Morrison, Newsletter
Amy Rhett, Family Events
Christa Rounds, Young Children’s Educator
Markell Shriver, Trustee Liaison
Jennifer Simons, Deputy Secretary
BJ Booth
Pamela Bristol
Bonnie Hunter
Alice Huston
Jamie Jacobson
Janet Kuenne
Janet Lasley
Lockie Proctor
The Steering Committee
Opera Festival of New Jersey Guild
Emmons Drive
West Windsor
Community orchestra deserves our gratitude
To the editor:
Area residents can take great civic pride in the wonderful Princeton Symphony Orchestra. Every succeeding concert shows that out-of-town critics have been fully justified in lavishing praise on the PSO calling it, for one example, "a virtuoso orchestra."
Under its highly gifted music director-conductor Mark Laycock, the PSO presents stimulating concerts that combine familiar music with a wide range of equally fine but lesser-known works. The orchestra members are without exception notable for their technique, tone quality and musical understanding. The overall sound is sumptuous yet transparent, a difficult combination.
Also due more civic recognition are the PSO annual free concerts for the area’s schoolchildren. Having attended some of these, I can tell you that the children are rapt listeners and enthusiastic responders. This is truly an investment in the community’s future.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the orchestra’s dedicated board of directors, staff and supporters from among the area’s businesses and individuals. They deserve our gratitude, and the PSO deserves all the support we can give.
Harold Borofsky
Hun Road
Princeton
Final concert was beautiful
To the editor:
What a glorious concert! The conclusion of the 2001-2002 season of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra was fantastic! Cannons firing away in Richardson Hall at the conclusion of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture! The Russian Chamber Chorus of New York! Bernstein! Piston! Gershwin! A marvelous mezzo-soprano, Cynthia Clarey, singing music one rarely hears written by Domenick Argento.
Surely Mark Laycock is a genius to have selected and directed this performance May 19. (He has done the same all season.) The orchestra was able to showcase so many of its fine musicians. Toby Goodyear, sign me up for the same seats next season. Lawrence Taylor, your program notes are the very best. Steve Fillo, you of the double bass, what are you going to do now that you’ve retired as a regular orchestra member?
I could go on and on; but you get the idea. It was beautiful.
David J. Rose
Lambert Drive
Princeton
Have a little faith in modern artistry
To the editor:
Carl Faith’s lack of faith in 21st century artists/sculptors (The Packet, May 17) is unfair and suggests that his field of vision is narrowly constricted. He has but to visit Washington, D.C., and view the Einstein statue that graces the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences, and which draws thousands of visitors daily, to see more than a hint of Einstein’s greatness.
Viewing a work in progress, as was the partially developed clay model shown in The New York Times, is hardly a basis for evaluation and judgment. And how can E=mc¯ carved of bronze or stone convey Einstein’s warmth and greatness to future generations?
Indeed, it will take a great artist to convey the greatness of Einstein, but that neither means they do not exist nor that they are unavailable. Have a little faith.
Anita Benarde
Thorngate Court
West Windsor
Deer-culling methods dangerous to residents
To the editor:
Deception is an emotion which does not sit well with most people. And is at the center of the entire Princeton deer controversy. Both sides accuse one another of crossing legal and ethical lines. But consider this. In the May 10 front-page story, "Settlement is reached in deer case," The Packet continues to mischaracterize facts which are important for all Princetonians to know and consider.
In its lawsuit against Princeton Township, plaintiffs from all walks of life businessmen and women, CPAs and even hunters allege that Anthony DeNicola conducts his deer-killing operation in secret because there is real danger to the general public in his shooting methods. This past winter, in an effort to get at the truth, private detectives were hired to investigate township police and DeNicola himself. Mayor Marchand, for three consecutive years, publicly promised Princeton residents that all deer were to be shot from elevated tree stands to avoid any chance of stray bullets killing an innocent bystander. Regarding exclusive use of elevated tree stands for safety reasons, The Packet correctly quoted the mayor numerous times and continues to do so as evidenced by the May 10 article. At a recent township meeting, Township Police Chief Anthony Gaylord angrily defended the mayor, stating that DeNicola shot all deer from elevated tree stands.
However, his statements directly contradict a disturbing public memo just released by the Division of Fish and Wildlife which detailed the truth of the matter. According to division authorities who oversee and monitor the operation, DeNicola shot a large percentage of the Princeton deer from low-lying pickup trucks, rather than elevated tree stands as Mayor Marchand and Chief Gaylord both publicly promised and affirmed. In fact, nearly one-third of the 303 deer killed by DeNicola in Princeton in 2002 were killed from low-lying pickups, according to DF&W in its newly released report.
An ATF agent studying this issue has stated that because of the flat trajectory caused by shooting high-powered rifles from pickup trucks, the Princeton deer-culling operation is extremely dangerous. Forensic evidence collected by private detectives on Snowden Lane shows conclusively that high-powered rifles were shot directly toward private homes from a low-lying vehicle, presumably a pickup.
Why doesn’t The Packet report all the facts? Deer killed by DeNicola in Princeton include three methods, not two: Elevated tree stands, net and bolt and low-lying pickup trucks are used. Princetonians need the truth. The mayor has good reason not to highlight these potentially deadly facts. Residents’ lives are surely in danger but political pressure to kill the deer seems to have caused Mayor Marchand to promise residents one thing and then do another. Deceiving residents she is sworn to protect, especially when life safety is at issue, should not be tolerated.
Robert E. Kubiak
Sharon Road
Robbinsville
Gallery celebrates its grand opening
To the editor:
Close to 150 people enjoyed Caribbean art, music and food at the SweeTree Gallery’s grand opening Thursday night. It was a wonderful expression of support and enthusiasm and I want to thank the area community for embracing the mission of this new and exciting community resource.
The SweeTree Gallery, located at 286 Alexander St., Princeton, features yet-to-be discovered local artists as well as artists from the Caribbean. We exhibit a cross-section of artists of various styles and reputation with little specialization. Visitors can expect to find intuitives from Haiti, Jamaican modernists, representations of Caribbean festival arts in headdress and costumes, unique ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and more. We celebrate artists who express the social meaning of art as well as those who favor abstract and conceptual designs.
Caribbean art mirrors the diversity of its culture, its thought and its people. Artists continue to explore and adapt a multiplicity of styles thatbear witness to the diversity of the region.
Locally, we seek artists who are new to exhibitions, allowing visitors to sample fresh and upcoming talent, and artists a taste of creative exposure. We hope this will motivate and encourage artistic exploration and risk-taking.
In addition, the gallery is a gathering place. Our mission is to bring together people of diverse backgrounds in informal and relaxed gatherings. Through music and poetry evenings, book talks and dance parties, we create opportunities for people to play, learn and exchange ideas in a unique, relaxed environment.
The current exhibit, "A Festival of Caribbean Art," runs through June 16 and we invite everyone to visit during our regular hours, Fridays and Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m. or by calling (609) 924-8665 for an appointment. We particularly welcome visits by children and young adults.
Thank you once again for a wonderful beginning.
Pamela Groves
Director
SweeTree Gallery
Alexander Street
Princeton
Soaries is new voice for new day in America
To the editor:
Let’s face it, average citizens don’t want to have to care about politics but we do want politicians who care about us. We send them to represent us and we want to trust them. We need to believe them. We need to believe they have our interests at heart. When they fail us it hurts and we retreat.
This year we have a real opportunity in central New Jersey, in Congressional District 12, and we need to come out in mass and vote to show that quality candidates are a cure for voter apathy. My candidate of choice is the Rev. Buster Soaries. I’ve never met anyone with more energy or more ideas. He’ll get attention and he’ll take action. He is a real leader with moral integrity. He knows how to move in political circles without becoming part of the circus. He is a new voice for a new day in America. If we miss this opportunity, I doubt we’ll have another any time soon.
Shauna Gaines
Plainsboro Road
Plainsboro