l l Mrs. R. Reeves Box 189 East Ward Street An Independent Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of the People of Hightstown ^‘S^’tstown NJ 08520 151th— No. 6 HIGHTSTOWN GAZETTE. MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, THURSDAY. AUGUST 12, 1999 Price; Thirty-Five Cents HISTORY OF THE PEDDIE SCHOOL 77iis article was written by have been vale^lorian. The Dr. David Martin fo r the 125th girls’ swimming team has won anniversary of the Peddie a string of state Prep champi­ School, 1864 to 1989. Some onships, and the girls’ soccer things have changed at the team won the Prep “A” cham­ school, but essentially it stays pionship in their first year of the same. competition in 1984. Dr. Kerr was succeeded in 1977 by F. Edward Potter, Jr., the school’s thirteenth head­ master. Mr. Potter was best known for his boundless ener­ gy and enthusiasm, and deep commitment to the school and its students. Among the problems facing the new headmaster in 1977 were serious financial difficul­ ties (the school’s debts exceed­ ed $1 million) and the future of NATIONAL NIGHT OUT; Mayor Janice Mironov and Chief of Police Barry Barlow kick-off aging Wilson Hall, the school’s National Night Out in Blast Windsor Township on August 3 with the issuance of a Proclama­ original building. Wilson Hall, tion, Ketured (from left to right) are; Police Lt. James Brady; Police Lt, William Spain; Chief once called “the finest school of Police Barry G. Barlow; Freeholder James McManimon; Mayor Janice S. Mirtrnov; Police building in the state of New Lt- John Funda; Police L t Steven Vardakis, and Deputy Mayor Marc Lippman. Hundreds of Jersey,” had housed almost the people attended this event, which featured tours of the police station, child IJD. cards, rescue entire school for its first half squad and fire company information and displays, Bicycle safety and Bicycle rodeo, Booths By MR. THOMAS A. DEGRAY century, and symbolized the community groups including Crime Watch, M-A.DJD-, Better Begiimings, E.W. Police Athletic is the present headmaster of school’s tradition and history. The Peddie School. He was ap­ League, and the Clean Communities Committee. There was a moon-walk and toss for speed for The building no longer met pointed in 1989. modem safety regulations, was the children and numerous other information and activities. P a r t U costly to heat and difficult to Dr. Albert Lohi8~1CeiT supervise. Witti regiet, the de­ Classics from Northwestern furniture and painttnigs by OPENING University in 1975, She taught artists such as Gilbert Stuart launched Pcddie’s second cen­ cision to demolish the building Starting in August, Con­ for several years in the Clas­ and Benjamin West. The Kelly tury in 1964, assuming the role was made in 1978. sumer Credit Counseling Ser­ sics Department of Northwest­ Pri^ is awarded annually for a of Head of School following Mr. Potter’s tenure saw ex­ vice (CCCS) will be offering ern, joined the Peddie faculty student essay based on one of Dr. Morong’s departure to as­ traordinary strides in fundrais­ free budget and credit counsel­ in 1979, and served as head of the books in the donated col­ sume the duties of national di­ ing, including the largest gift ing in the Hightstown area. the English Department from lection. rector of the World Mission ever given by one individual to CCCS, a division of Family 1980 to 1988. She was one of The fivc-million-dollar Campaign of the American an independent secondary Guidance Center Corporation 17 educators selected to partic­ Swig Fine Arts Center will Baptist Convention. school, Walter H. Annenberg’s will be renting space from ipate in a program to enrich the open this spring, with facilities Dr. Kerr’s tenure was noted $22 million pledge. Through a Family and Children’s Services teaching of English through for the studio arts, practice for continued building pro­ ten year moratorium on new of Central New Jersey (FACS) the introduction of texts by rooms for music and drama jects. The need for more stu­ construction the school fo­ at their 169 S. Main Street lo­ women and minority writers. A students, art galleries, and a dent housing was met in 1967 cused on building the endow­ cation. member of the Dodge Founda­ newly refurbished Geiger- by the construction of Masters ment fund and attending to de­ Ms. Paula Figueroa, a bilin­ House, erected by 1927 alum­ ferred maintenance. The reno­ tion Advisory Board for the Reeves Auditorium. gual (Spanish speaking) finan­ teaching of poetry and the nus Walter H. Annenberg to vations of Memorial Hall, Ayer The Athletic Center is one cial counselor will be available honor the teachers who guided Memorial Chapel, and a num­ Wellesley Seminar for Curricu­ of the finest in the country, and to consumers experiencing fi­ his years at the school. Their ber of dormitories, as well as lar Revision, Ms. Seltzer is ac­ houses a 25-yard swimming nancial/ credit/ and debt prob­ tive in NJAIS (New Jersey As­ pool and separate diving tank, names are listed on a plaque in improvements in the heating lems. the building’s first floor plant and the Athletic Center, sociation of Independent a hockey rink, and other excep­ lounge. In 1972 the school meant significant changes in Schools) and CWIS (Council tional facilities. Over 40 teams CAREGIVERS completed its renowned Ath­ the quality of life and appear­ of Women in Independent compete as the Peddie Falcons letic Center, and the former ance of the campus under Mr. School). in 15 interscholastic sports, in­ SUPPORT Mills Gym was renovated and Potter’s leadership. Facilities and Programs cluding crew, skiing, and golf GROUP renamed the Robert O. Driver Mr. Potter’s last years as Peddie’s 280-acre campus on the school’s own 18-hole Starting in September, Jew­ Dining Hall and Student Cen­ headmaster saw construction today encompasses a lake, course. A football competitor ish Family & Children’s Ser­ woodlands, extensive athletic for more than 100 years, the ter. The final building project begin on The Richard L. Swig vice of Greater Mercer County fields, and fifty two buildings. 1988 team was undefeated under Dr. Kerr’s leadership Fine Arts Center, with impres­ will begin a new support group Academic facilities include Prep “A” champion, and the was a new dormitory, complet­ sive facilities for the studio for family caregivers. The Memorial Hall, the recently swimming team has been na­ ed in 1976 and named in his arts, galleries, practice rooms group will meet at an office on renovated main classroom tionally ranked and champi­ honor. for music and drama students, 707 Alexander Rd., Princeton, building, and Caspersen Sci­ onship caliber for several The most significant change and a modem 600 seat audito­ at a time convenient to the en- ence Building, with well- decades. that occurred under Dr. Kerr’s rium. As the Arts Center rollees. Service will be provid­ equipped laboratories, a plane­ Honors and advanced place­ administration was the read­ neared completion and plans ed free of charge. Call Wendy tarium, and an astronomical ment courses are offered for mission of female students in were underway to celebrate the at (609) 987 - 8100 for further observatory. qualified students. Special cur­ 1970. Financial considerations, school’s 125th anniversary, the information. the example of several rival school was deeply saddened by The Annenberg Library, ricular offerings include the schools, and changing educa­ the sudden death of Mr. Potter whose major donor is 1927 Honors Seminar in the Human­ alumnus is Walter Annenberg, ities, a college level program DON^T MISS THE tional theory on the social ben­ on July 20, 1988. SPECIAL SECTION, efits of coeducation persuaded houses 21,000 volumes, in­ designed to offer gifted seniors Anne L. Seltzer served as PAGES 4 AND 5, the Trustees that Peddie should Interim Head of School for the cluding the outstanding I. challenging interdisciplinary once again become a coeduca­ 1988-89 school year. A 1964 Austin Kelly Collection of rare opportunities, and the Ameri­ THOSE WHO SERVED, tional institution. The transi­ graduate of the College of first edition books. Students can Studies program, an inter­ AN UPDATED tion was a smooth one; four Wooster, with a Bachelor of often study in the Kelly disciplinary course for juniors LISTING OF WWII girls have served as President Arts degree in classics, she gallery, where the volumes are in American History, literature, VETERANS! of the Student Body, and seven earned her Masters degree in displayed next to 18th century and culture. Pag«2 THE HfGHTSTOWN GAZETTE Thut»day> August 12| 1999 MARKS ANNIVERSARY THE BOLLES in the trunk of a car to transport know for what the area stands. Daniel and Birdena Bolles of them any place as did one or two There have been some firsts Daniel and Birdena Bolles Etra Road celebrated their 69th New York City Police persons in Hightstown. Hightstown was of Etra Road, Hightstown, wedding anniversary August 11. last week. That was pretty stupid one of the first communities in celebrated their 69th wedding They married young and have on their part and shows they New Jersey to have its own sew­ anniversary August 11. stayed together ever since. know little about dogs or could er plant which is now called the Danny and “Bernie” For a number of years, Mr. care less." Advanced Waste Water Treat­ Seiber were married in 1930 Bolles worked for Walker-Gor- The dogs, rotweilers, were to ment Plant. That date was 1913. by Dr. Curry, minister of the First Presbyterian Church of don Farm in Plainsboro.