Tips and Recommendations from the Students and Spouses of Princeton Theological Seminary
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Princeton 2011-2012 Tips and recommendations from the Students and Spouses of Princeton Theological Seminary Welcome to Princeton! There is so much joy and excitement when moving to a new place. We also know that a transition like this can be challenging and sometimes scary. It is our hope that this publication will bring some ease to the transition by providing helpful information about living in the Princeton area. We are glad you and your family have chosen PTS as your home for this next season of your journey. We are eager to welcome you and provide support throughout your time here in Princeton. Blessings and peace throughout this transition. Sarah Hong PTS Spouse and Chapel Office Assistant, Scheide Hall [email protected] 609.497.7890 Special Thanks to the Students and Spouses who contributed to this publication, and to the administrators in the Student Life Department for their support of this publication. The work you do for this campus is very much appreciated. Shopping Centers (page 8) 1. Market Fair Mall 2. Windsor Green 3. Nassau Park Blvd 4. Mercer Mall 5. Quaker Bridge Mall 6. Palmer Square / Nassau 7. Princeton Shopping Center P - Post Offices (page 15) L - Public Libraries (page 21) T - Train Stations (page 31) - PTS Property Seminary Address 64 Mercer Street Princeton, NJ 08540 LETTER OF INTRODUCTION ............................. 2 ENTERTAINMENT ......................................... 20 MAP OF PRINCETON ....................................... 2 Movies and Theatres ....................................... 20 CAMPUS LIFE .................................................. 4 Museums and Galleries ................................... 21 Living in Fellowship ............................................ 4 Libraries ........................................................... 21 Worship and Spiritual Formation ....................... 4 Local Parks and Recreation .............................. 22 Counseling and Crisis ......................................... 5 State and National Parks ................................. 24 Housing, Facilities, Security, O My! .................... 5 Jersey Shore ..................................................... 24 Apartment Living ................................................ 6 Other Activities ................................................ 25 LIVING ON A DIME .......................................... 7 New York City .................................................. 26 SHOPPING AND THE BASICS ............................ 8 Philadelphia ..................................................... 28 Shopping Centers ............................................... 8 HEALTH AND WELLNESS .............................. 29 Fabulous Local Stores ....................................... 10 Hospitals and Health Care Facilities ................ 29 Thrift Stores and Consignment ........................ 11 Health Insurance Options ............................... 29 Grocery Stores ................................................. 11 Athletics/Fitness .............................................. 30 Gardening, Farms and Farmer’s Markets ........ 13 For the Birds and Other Pets ........................... 30 Food Pantries ................................................... 13 GETTING AROUND ........................................ 31 Hair Care .......................................................... 14 Driving with Jughandles ................................... 31 Laundry ............................................................ 14 Public Transportation and Toll Roads .............. 31 Child Care ......................................................... 15 Car Maintenance ............................................ 32 Mailing, Shipping and Copying ......................... 15 Auto Insurance and Licenses ........................... 32 DINING ......................................................... 16 Passports and Social Security .......................... 33 Local Restaurants ............................................. 16 Resources for International Students .............. 34 Happy Hour ...................................................... 19 HELPFUL CAMPUS NUMBERS Ice Cream and Coffee ....................................... 19 AND EMERGENCY CONTACTS ....................... 35 Please note that any prices and schedules quoted are valid at time of publication, and are subject to change. All businesses are recommendations by Seminary Students and Spouses and are not endorsed by Princeton Theological Seminary. For additional resources suggested by the Princeton University Community visit www.princeton.edu/studentguide/outsidethegates In addition to what’s in this publication, visit Mercer County Library for a list of kid-friendly playgrounds, parks and activities near Princeton: webserver.mcl.org/ys/ysplaces.html CAMPUS LIFE Living in Fellowship Each year, students from the seminary step forward to serve as DEACONS in our community. These students feel called to a ministry of hospitality and care giving in our midst. There is a deacon (or pair of deacons) for each dormitory floor and each apartment building. In addition to providing hospitality the deacons can also provide a wealth of information about living in the community. If there is something you want to know and you don’t find the answers here in this book your deacon would be a good resource. They are also great people to be in contact with if you have an idea of ways to build fellowship in your building or the community at large. The Seminary, Aramark, and student organizations provide many campus-wide FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES during orientation week and throughout the year including a Christmas party in December, Asian Market Night, brown bag lunches with professors and special guests, the Southern Society/BGLASS BBQ in April, and “Prom.” Keep your eyes and ears open for posters and announcements about these and other great events throughout the year. Many student organizations will have a table set up during the campus-wide picnic on Sunday of orientation weekend, make sure to check them out! For a current list of groups and contact information, contact the Office of Student Relations in Templeton Hall ([email protected]; 609.497.7882). Seminary students and spouses are invited and encouraged to attend all concerts, seminars and speaker series on campus. Learn more about these events by visiting calendar.ptsem.edu. Because spouses do not have access to all information in the online calendar, you can sign up to receive periodic e-mails about campus and community events by sending your address to [email protected]. Worship and Spiritual Formation All members of the Seminary community are invited to DAILY WORSHIP SERVICES in Miller Chapel (Monday-Friday at 11:30 AM) and special services throughout the year. Daily services are led by students, faculty and administrators. The CHAPEL CHOIR will contribute to music leadership in chapel once each week and all members of the PTS community are invited to participate; vocal placements are held the week of Orientation. For more information, contact Director of Music Martin Tel ([email protected]). On Tuesday nights at 9:00 PM, students and spouses gather for contemporary worship at THE WELL in the Gambrell Room, Scheide Hall. This service is sponsored by Theological Student Fellowship (TSF). Everyone in the Seminary community is likely to CHURCH shop at some time while here in Princeton. There are many to choose from in the area and sometimes it’s hard to find the one where you and your family feel called to worship. Ask neighbors for advice on where to start. Some addresses of local churches are listed online at our.ptsem.edu (Student Services Tab -> Local Churches on the Navigation Bar). Students can also go to our.ptsem.edu and view church statistics through the Field Education page. There are always many small groups throughout the community that are open to new members. Some are Bible studies and others are book discussion groups or dinner swaps. Keep your eyes and ears open at the start of the school year, and be willing to start your own group by announcing your interest through word of mouth, or by putting up posters in the community! 4 You are invited to take advantage of individual and group SPIRITUAL DIRECTION and RETREATS. For more information on these opportunities, visit the CHAPEL OFFICE in Scheide Hall or call 609.497.7890. Details about spiritual direction and a retreat center guide can be found on the counseling page within our.ptsem.edu. A LABYRINTH is set up in the Gambrell Room a handful of dates each semester and is a great resource when in need of a peaceful prayer walk (2011-2012 dates: September 22, November 14, December 1, February 22, and April 5). Counseling and Crisis ON-CAMPUS COUNSELING is open to spouses and couples. A student may use their 10 subsidized sessions at Trinity Counseling Service (609.924.0060) for individual or marital counseling. Those on the Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) have excellent counseling coverage (see page 29). To access on-campus counseling or consult with the Director of Student Counseling about options or a referral, fill out intake forms in Scheide Hall. See the Counseling Brochure and SHBP brochure for details. Adjusting to a new community can be tough—a little professional help can go a long way and there is no stigma at PTS for going to talk with someone. The counseling website will announce events and seminars throughout the year and is a good resource for mental health concerns and self-assessment tools.