Re-enactors pass the John Hart memorial. (Photo by Cydney Perske)
By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
HOPEWELL — The borough kicked off its year-long 125th anniversary celebration on New Year’s Day at Borough Hall.
The party, which started at around 11 a.m., included Revolutionary War-era re-enactors wearing period clothing, the Con Brio a cappella singers from Hopewell Valley Central High School, and Scottish bagpipes and dance performed by Vince and Emily Janoski.
The event also featured catering by The Brothers Moon restaurant, plus several churches in town ringing their bells at noontime. Party attendees had the opportunity to pick up a commemorative booklet and a walking-tour map of Hopewell Borough, as well as purchase special 125th anniversary flags and snow globes.
“I think it went really well. It was beautiful,” said Cydney Perske, who co-chairs the 125th anniversary planning committee with fellow borough resident Debra Stuhler. “Everything that we planned worked out.”
Mayor Paul Anzano and Borough Council members Debra Lehman and Roxanne Klett were sworn into office as part of the New Year’s Day event. Each won re-election in November.
The mayor spoke about the borough’s 125th anniversary kick-off on New Year’s Day and all the other events scheduled throughout 2016 to commemorate Hopewell’s incorporation as a municipality in 1891 from portions of Hopewell Township.
“I think it’s important because it’s a community event recognizing the uniqueness of Hopewell Borough,” Mayor Anzano said. “There is a strong community spirit here and it’s an opportunity to celebrate that spirit, and also to invite other people to come in and enjoy the many assets that we have.”
“We’re expecting a great year,” the mayor said.
The festivities on Jan. 1 concluded with Revolutionary-War re-enactors from the Third New Jersey Regiment and from Outwater’s Militia conducting a ceremonial salute at the memorial for Declaration of Independence signee John Hart at the Old Baptist Cemetery on West Broad Street.
The observance will continue all year with events. The Hopewell Valley Historical Society hosted a talk on the “frog wars” (early railroad disputes) Wednesday night, Jan. 6, at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church.
Borough 125th anniversary events scheduled for February and March are:
Feb. 12: Contemporary photos of Hopewell at Gallery 14 on Mercer Street in Hopewell;
Feb. 21: Hopewell Night at Morven Museum in Princeton. (Private showing of the currently running Charles Lindbergh exhibition), and
March 4: Opening of year-long historical photo exhibit at Morpeth Gallery on Broad Street.
For event times and information, visit hopewellboro-nj.us.
Members of the Third Jersey Regiment re-enactment group▲
