A hero comes home

PRINCETON — It’s been a long tough journey, but this week a beloved Princeton business owner is back home, following rehabilitation from a critical sledding accident.

Joachim “Jay” Schneider, owner of the Apollo Theater, was critically injured in January when a sled he was riding with youngest daughter, Ulrike, veered off course on a steep hill, causing him to hit a post, breaking his back in several places. He was able to throw his daughter off the sled before impact, saving her from injury.

Schneider has undergone multiple surgeries and a months-long stint in a Chicago rehabilitation center, recovering from his injuries and learning to adapt to a new lifestyle resulting from the accident.

“Jay is super excited to get home (his words),” Lara said this week while the Schneiders were preparing for Jay’s homecoming.

“We’re nervous about our new life,” she said. “But working on plans to reopen the Apollo.”

Lara said she spent the beginning of the week in Chicago being trained on how to help Jay in their new life.

“We are extremely grateful for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers and donations,” she said.

The Apollo Theater is not yet open for movie showings, but the Schneiders continue to offer Essential Popcorn Fridays and bucket popcorn sales on Tuesdays for those who are looking for their favorite theater treat.