Management Moves: Old Barracks Names New Director
The Old Barracks Association Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Michelle Doherty as executive director of the Old Barracks Museum. Doherty has worked at the museum in multiple capacities for the past seven years and was named acting director in February.
“Michelle is a dynamic leader,” said Board President Lisa Willever. “She is that rare individual that motivates by example as well as high standards. It isn’t often you come across someone who can raise morale while exceeding expectations. We are thrilled to support all of Michelle’s goals and look forward to expanding the OBM’s impact on the city, state, and country.”
Longtime board member, Scott Scammell stated, “This decision was based upon two things, an enormous level of achievement, prior to and since February, and the new momentum Michelle has created for the museum at this important moment.”
“As a premiere historic site, preserving both the history and the facilities can be a daunting task,” Doherty said. “I am fortunate to have a highly skilled staff and a supportive board to create new programs as we navigate major facilities improvements.
“Michelle has more than demonstrated the skills and professionalism needed to steer this vital institution,” said board member Reverend John C. Taylor of Friendship Baptist Church. “With so many exciting events and commemorations ahead, Michelle’s ability to collaborate with state and historic partners will ensure outstanding results. The Old Barracks Museum is definitely in good hands.”
Doherty and her husband, Jim, live in Lawrenceville with their children.
More information: www.barracks.org.
Grant Awarded
Lawrenceville-based nonprofit People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos (P&S/GyC) has been approved for a $20,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support its “Literature: Reading in Community, Writing Our Stories” Project, an innovative approach to the art form of the short story and to literature engagement.
“We are honored to receive this generous grant, selected from among 1,130 projects across the country, allowing us to provide opportunities for individuals to experience literature in a new way and develop their own voices through creative writing,” P&S/GyC Board Co-Chair Andrea Honore.
“Literature: Reading in Community, Writing Our Stories” is an innovative approach to the art form of the short story and to literature engagement. Through 10 sessions, each two hours long, groups of 15-20 individuals will experience literature in a new way and develop their own voices through creative writing. P&S/GyC will deliver two 10 session program series at the four community partner organizations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix, New Jersey
Libertae, Inc.: Freedom in Recovery, Bensalem, Pennsylvania
Interim House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Children’s Home Society of NJ, Trenton, New Jersey
People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos’ “Literature: Reading in Community, Writing Our Stories” Project was selected during the second round of Grants for Arts Projects fiscal year 2023 funding.
“The National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to support a wide range of projects, including People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos’, demonstrating the many ways the arts enrich our lives and contribute to healthy and thriving communities,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “These organizations play an important role in advancing the creative vitality of our nation and helping to ensure that all people can benefit from arts, culture, and design.”
People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos’ methodology is designed to remove obstacles to the reward of reading, especially for adults and young adults who have not experienced the power of literature.
People and Stories/Gente y Cuentos is located at 295 Eggerts Crossing Road, Lawrenceville, NJ and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment. Most programs are held at partner sites and other locations. For more information, call 609-882-4926 or visit www.peopleandstories.org.
Grants Available
The Princeton Area Community Foundation is inviting nonprofits to apply for grants for summer youth initiatives, especially those that reach families who would otherwise not have access to these programs.
This round of grantmaking is part of the foundation’s Community Impact Grants program.
Summer initiatives are important for young people because these programs serve as safety nets, reduce juvenile crime rates, and help working parents. But for many families, summer programs may be out of reach.
On May 24, the Community Foundation held a virtual gathering to hear from nonprofits and community advocates about the needs in our region and understand why some families have difficulties accessing these programs. (U.S. 1, May 17).
The foundation plans to incorporate the feedback received at the gathering into its grantmaking decisions. Applications are due Tuesday, June 13. Visit www.pacf.org for more information.
Deaths
Hal Ross, 88, on May 21. An expert in market research, he was co-founder of Mapes & Ross Advertising Research. A casual dress celebration of his life will be held at the Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street, Princeton, on Saturday, June 10, at 3 p.m.
Robert Zagoria, 82, on May 26. An alumnus of Princeton University, he worked as an attorney in downtown Princeton for many years.
Lorraine Marie Gankiewicz, 61, on June 3. The Robbinsville resident ran an exterior remodeling business with her husband.
Robert E. White Jr., 56, on May 30. He worked for PSE&G for 32 years. He also served for 16 years as a minister and coached numerous youth sports in Trenton.
Jean Taylor Delahanty, 99, on May 31. She retired after 27 years as a chemist in the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory of the NJ Department of Health.
Norman P. Silvester, Jr., 61, May 31. He worked for Response Analysis Corporation (RAC) and Braun Research.
