"LIFE IS GOOD, AND SO IS THE FOOD AT THIS HOPEWELL SPOT" (nj.com: 6/11/13)

In the most recent review of the Blue Bottle Cafe, the critic's evening started off on the right foot before she even got to the restaurant.  She candidly states that she "loves Hopewell and secretly dreams of living there", so she parked her car a few blocks away "to enjoy a walk through a neighborhood of Victorian houses." On her walk to the Blue Bottle, she was told by the "porch sitters" that "you'll have a good meal".  One shouldn't expect otherwise considering the high accolades this fabulous eatery has received from the New York Times and Zagat since it first came to Hopewell.  So how did it go? See the full review here, but her bottom line: "The porch sitters had it right." And don't forget to check out IN HOPEWELL's newest RESTAURANT GUIDE to the the amazing and eclectic selection of dining hot spots in town. Dig in!
Blue Bottle Cafe 101 E. Broad Street 609.333.1710

LAST CHANCE! OFF-BROADSTREET PRESENTS LINDBERGH PLAY: VIOLET SHARP

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The Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Hopewell is truly one of a kind. With the "original and best New Jersey Dessert Theatre", producers and director Bob and Julie Thick have staged more than 225 shows over the past 29 years. Four delicious dessert offerings, along with fresh fruit, coffee and tea await theatre goers who will thoroughly enjoy the current production, Violet Sharp.  Based on the true story of the 1932 Lindbergh Kidnapping Case, the show focuses on "the young British domestic who lived at the Morrow house in North Jersey and initially lies to the police as to her whereabouts on that fateful night."   The playwright, William Cameron, was awarded the Julie Harris Playwriting Award in 2007 in Beverly Hills for this drama, and in 2009 the official world premiere of Violet Sharp opened at Theatre 40 in Los Angeles.  It is fitting that the show's New Jersey premiere be at none other than Hopewell's Off-Broadstreet, as it is walking distance to local landmarks in the crime and trial such as the Hopewell Pharmacy, The Hopewell Inn, and the Lindbergh estate itself is minutes away.  The tremendous cast, local lore, and Lindbergh history make this a must see.  Only two shows left! This Friday and Saturday, 6/21and 6/22. Doors open at 7pm for dessert and show starts at 8pm.  For reservations call 609.466.2766 or visit off-broadstreet.com. 

"HOPEWELL AUTHOR TO READ FROM HIS DEBUT NOVEL"

Oh what a night! Tonight, June 18th, the Hopewell Public Library will host Hopewell Borough's own Thomas Van Essen, who will read from his just published debut, The Center of the World, at the Hopewell Train Station at 7pm.  Recent reviews of Van Essen's historical fiction by Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, describe it as a "terrific debut novel about the mystical and erotic power of art", which "departs from the recent real-life discovery of maritime landscapist J.M.W. Turner's erotica to trace a fictional portrait of a scantily clad Helen of Troy awaiting Paris...". The author earned his B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and Ph.D. in English Literature from Rutgers University, and has lived in Hopewell for thirty years.  Visit his website thomasvanessen.com for an Interview with Thomas Van Essen, Reading Group Info, and Full Reviews. See you at the Station!

"GREAT PLACE IN NEW JERSEY" AWARD - WALKING TOUR

Hopewell Boro is no stranger to high rankings, often listed in New Jersey Monthly as one of the "10 Best Small Towns in NJ" and one of the "25 best places to call home in the Garden State".  Even the New York Times had something to say: "It's in New Jersey but It Screams Vermont". Adding to those accolades is the 2012 "Great Place in New Jersey" designation granted to Broad Street by the American Planning Association NJ Chapter (APA-NJ).  According to the APA, Great Places honorees are "enjoyable, safe and desirable, places where people want to live, work and visit every day."  Come join the Mayor and others for a Walking Tour, this Saturday, June 15, from 10-12pm, to see and learn first-hand how (with a combination of dedicated town officials, business owners, residents, and an NJDOT grant) they were able to enhance the "character, charm, and historic integrity" of Hopewell.
Meeting Spot: Hopewell Borough Hall - 88 East Broad Street.
RSVP: APA-NJ Rep Paul Gleitz at pgleitz@gmail.com