Princeton Windrows, a 55 plus independent lifestyle community in Plainsboro, recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Trenton. More than 25 appliances, including refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, sinks, and dishwashers have been among the items recently donated to raise funds for the organization.
Windrows replaces existing appliances as new residents move in. The slightly used appliances are picked up by Habitat and taken to the charity’s store in Trenton, where they are sold to the general public.
“We’re very excited about our new partnership with Princeton Windrows,” says Thomas Caruso, executive director at Habitat For Humanity of Trenton. “The donations are in very good condition, and their sales help provide revenue to fund home building and operating costs.”
Richard “Dick” Esrey of Plainsboro was inducted into the first class of Swarthmore College’s Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame. Despite opportunities in professional football and baseball, he went on to a successful career in management with AT&T, where he headed the division that managed the North American network.
A 1950 graduate, Esrey excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and broke many records. In football, Esrey was a quadruple threat (running, passing, receiving, punting), and an Associated Press Football All-American in 1948 and 1949. He is tied for the all-time lead in career points (126) and career touchdowns (21) and held the NCAA record for kickoff return touchdowns in a game for close to 50 years. On the diamond, Esrey led the Garnet baseball team in nearly every statistical category during his four-year career, earning second-team All-NCAA District II honors as a shortstop in 1950. On the court, Esrey was a starting member of the 1947 basketball team that won MASCAC Championship and the 1949 team that reached the MASCAC championship game.
Esprey, now retired, is a resident and board trustee at Princeton Windrows. “Dick is such a vibrant and popular resident,” says Sherry Wagner, executive director at Princeton Windrows. “We are all very proud of him and excited about this honor.”
Olga Valcoff, author of “Hello Golden Gate, Goodbye Russia,” presented a book talk and signing on September 20 at Princeton Windrows. Reliving her family’s harrowing escapes from Bolshevik Russia and hostile foreign environments, she shares her journey from Europe to the Far East to America.
Valcoff was raised in the Philippines, Japan, and Shanghai — constantly on the run from war and political oppression. Her book is a record of Russian refugees in Asia from the early 1920s through World War II and the Communist takeover of China.
“A strong family bond is at the heart of the story, providing support and hope while enduring hardship and desperation,” she says. Valcoff immigrated with her family to the U.S. in 1951, arriving in San Francisco and moving to Seattle. She went on to study drama at Los Angeles City College and worked in the theater in Chicago and as a fashion designer in New York City.
“I wanted to live in the Princeton area because of my international background and because I am attracted to Princeton’s cultural and international diversity,” she says. She moved to Windrows earlier this year.
“Mrs. Valcoff’s story is incredible and we are so fortunate to have her here and share such an eye-opening and exciting journey,” says Mary Ann Bond, director of sales and marketing at Princeton Windrows.
