HPL Past Events - 2022
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This event is at capacity, but you can register here for the wait list!
What is Toastmasters? What do its members do?... (we need only to think of times when we might have benefited from a less embarrassing public address to see the worth of this talk). To add festive cheer, attendees will be given a holiday specific word/theme around which to build a 1 minute speech. And we will commit to making an item of food/drink from our own traditions. Those speeches will be delivered to the rest of the group on Wednesday 21st. We will eat, make merry and impress with our oratory! Absolutely no pressure- just festive fun!
Bullet Journal Book Club: School Planner Edition!
Tuesday, December 20th | 6:00-7:30 pm
at the Hopewell Public Library
at the Hopewell Public Library
The Bullet Journal Book Club: School Planner Edition! will have its first meeting, where we will set up bullet journals for January 2023!
Bullet journals can act as a planner, give you space for your calendars and task lists, allow you to write personal reflections, and track your habits, feelings, and goals. They can do as much (or as little) as you’d like. We’ll start by using them to make personalized calendars and class/extracurricular schedules, but bullet journals can do so much more. Need a sketchbook? Use a bullet journal! Want a reading log? Use a bullet journal! Want to keep track of your movies and TV shows, save inspirational quotes, track your sports practice or exercise schedule, or collect notes from friends? You can! The possibilities are endless. Come to the Hopewell Public Library to set up a bullet journal! Materials will be provided. This event is for high school and college students ages 14-21. Register Here! The club's second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th. There is another bullet journaling event for any adults 18+ taking place on Tuesday, January 10th. |
Felting Class
When: Tuesday, December 6th, 13th, and 20th
What Time: 3:30-5:00 pm Where: The Hopewell Train Station Come to the library as the afternoons draw in and the festive season approaches. We are lucky to be guided by Bea Liese, a local felting artist! As always, absolutely no skill required; just your enthusiasm to create and to be with friends. On December 6th, attendees will learn how to felt and create a small holiday decoration. On the 13th and 20th, we will create small felt animals! This event is at capacity, but you may join the wait list by registering here! |
Hot Chocolate & Family Storytelling
Saturday, December 17th
4:00-5:30pm at the Hopewell Train Station Often when we tuck our little ones in, we hear the question, “Will you tell me a story?” What a great tradition - telling family stories. Come with your blankets or favorite stuffed animal and join us at the Hopewell Train Station to cozy up and listen to or share family stories. No storytelling experience necessary! This event will be facilitated by local author and illustrator, Barbara Valenza.
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The Lenape and Their Ancestors in Hopewell Valley:
The View from the Hopewell Museum
Presented by Ian Burrow, PhD, RPA
Wednesday, December 7th | Exhibits 6:45pm | Presentation 7:00-8:00pm |
Watch the event recording HERE:
https://youtu.be/TNobjPDeUms |
American Indians have lived in the Hopewell area for at least 9,000 years. Volunteers and an intern have recently completed cataloging approximately 2000 artifacts in the Hopewell Museum collection. Much of the material was donated to the Museum by local collectors. Through the study of these artifacts, together with other types of record, including historical sources, we are learning more about the ways of life of the people who lived here for so long.
If you'd like to come early, some interesting artifacts from the Museum and other materials will be on display from 6:45 pm. This event is cosponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and the Hopewell Museum. |
About the Presenter:
Ian Burrow is a professional archaeologist and a Trustee of the Hopewell Museum. Trained in the United Kingdom, he moved to the United States in 1988 after a 10-year career in England. From 1988 to 2015 he was Vice-President of Hunter Research, Inc. carrying out numerous archaeological projects in New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic. He lives in Hopewell Borough, and loves exploring Sourland Mountain, local history, and the menu at Chubby’s Luncheonette. |
Bullet Journal Book Club
Tuesday, December 6th | 6:00-7:30pm
at the Hopewell Public Library
at the Hopewell Public Library
The Bullet Journal Book Club will have its first meeting, where we will set up bullet journals for January 2023!
Are you looking for a fun way to stay organized? Do you want a way to truly personalize your personal schedule? Bullet journals can act as a planner, give you space for your calendars and task lists, allow you to write personal reflections, and track your habits, moods, and goals. They can do as much (or as little) as you’d like. Need a sketchbook? Use a bullet journal! Want a reading log? Use a bullet journal! Need to budget, meal plan, keep a media list, track your exercise, or keep a casual scrapbook? You can! The possibilities are endless. Come to the Hopewell Public Library to set up a bullet journal! Materials will be provided. This event is open to anyone 18 and older. Register here! There will also be a school planner-style bullet journaling event for high school and college students ages 14-21 taking place on December 20th. |
Pencil Painting with Karen McLean
Weekly classes with local artist & teacher Karen McLean in her studio in Hopewell. We will learn to draw with pencil and hopefully exhibit our work to each other after Thanksgiving! What: Pencil drawing Where: Karen's studio, 14 Mercer St, Hopewell When: Every Wednesday, 2pm-3:30pm starting October 12th until (and including) November 16th. Places limited to 8 patrons only. (HPL will confirm your place) Register here for the wait list. |
Hoproco – Hopewell’s 1920s Toy Company – Talk & Exhibits
To view the video of this event, as well as the slideshow and associated images, click here!
November 2nd, 2022 at the Hopewell Theater
Exhibit 6:45pm | Presentation 7:00-8:30pm Yes, Hopewell did have a toy company, albeit a short-lived one. Hoproco, the Hopewell Products Company, operated from 1923 to 1929 on Burton Avenue in Hopewell, manufacturing metal and wooden mechanical toys and novelties.
In this presentation, Doug Dixon will explore the history of Hoproco, and the five known toys that the company created. Plus, come early to see examples of the actual antique toys (and even original product boxes), exhibited by several local collectors, The Hopewell Museum, and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society. Hoproco manufactured some interesting products that were nicely designed and constructed, and are still admired and collected today – A “Hopewell Flyer” dirigible, originally priced at 25 cents, recently sold on eBay for $61. The presentation and exhibits will cover multiple versions of all five toys, along with associated product literature and advertising. Dixon also will discuss the beginnings of the Hoproco company, and the factory building on Burton Ave., that was built in 1897 as a sash and blind factory, and still stands today as a residence and art studio. See the History Project site for more on Hoproco and the toys, and images of the various products kindly contributed by local collectors. Co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and the Hopewell Museum. [Images courtesy of the Kiankas] |
About the Presenter:
Doug Dixon is an independent technology consultant and writer, morphed into a history enthusiast. He is a board member of The Hopewell Museum and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society.
Doug has developed the Hopewell Valley History Project, working with local contributors to collect and freely share digital copies of Hopewell's historical materials.
Doug Dixon is an independent technology consultant and writer, morphed into a history enthusiast. He is a board member of The Hopewell Museum and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society.
Doug has developed the Hopewell Valley History Project, working with local contributors to collect and freely share digital copies of Hopewell's historical materials.
Hopewell Public Library Halloween!
Sunday, October 30 | 1:30-2:30pm
Gazebo in Hopewell Borough Park Marching in the Hopewell Borough Halloween Parade? Come join us afterwards at the Gazebo at Hopewell Borough Park for gourd painting, a spooky (fun!) storytime, and other Halloween excitement. We can't wait to see your costumes! Snacks and water will be available.
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Read to Belle at the HPL!
Monday, October 17th | 3:45 - 4:30 pm
Belle is a friendly certified therapy dog and an excellent listener! Register below or call the library for a 15 minute time slot for your child to come read to Belle at the Hopewell Public Library. Read to a Dog programs offer children a chance to practice reading aloud to a very special listener in a supportive environment.
For children in grades K and up. For more information or to select a time slot, please call the library at 609-466-1625
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Pottery with Jim Jasma
Thursday, September 29th & October 6th | 2:00-3:00pm at the Hopewell Train Station 2 pottery sessions with Jim Jasma, the aim of which is to successfully complete and fire a piece. As always, no previous experience necessary - just enthusiasm! REGISTRATION IS FULL FOR THIS EVENT! Register Here to be added to the waitlist.
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Wednesday, October 5th | 7:00-8:30pm
at the Hopewell Theater In his upcoming talk on October 5th at the Hopewell Theater, Quentin Kelly will share his rich, lived experience in Hollywood.
When he was 20 years old, Quentin T. Kelly became the youngest writer at MGM Studios in Hollywood. From 1954 through 1956 he worked with such actors and actresses as Roger Moore, Robert Taylor, Lana Turner, Clark Gable and, in particular, Grace Kelly. MGM was in its final years of the Golden Age of Hollywood and Mr. Kelly’s experience proved to be one of the most interesting periods of his life. |
Banned Books Week
Sunday, September 18 - Saturday, September 24
at the Hopewell Public Library
at the Hopewell Public Library
Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. Come to the library this week to celebrate that freedom and check out a new book. Get some ideas from the American Library Association's list of Top 10 Most Challenged Books.
2022 Scavenger Hunt
Monday, September 19th - Saturday, September 24th
This is a town-wide event - sign up at the Hopewell Public Library! Solve anagrams and search the town for banned books in this year's scavenger hunt!
Prizes for all who complete the scavenger hunt. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. Come to the library this week to celebrate! Items hidden in the scavenger hunt are from the American Library Association's list of Top 10 Most Challenged Books from 2001-2021. Find them hidden around Hopewell, or check some out from our Banned Books Display at the library! |
Mooncakes, Lanterns, and Storytime: Featuring Hopewell author Yobe Qiu
Saturday, September 24 | 10:00-11:00am
Hopewell Train Station 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ 08525 Please join us for a special storytime with Hopewell children’s author Yobe Qiu. Yobe will share her beautiful book, Our Moon Festival. The story immerses us in the unique ways Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese families and communities celebrate the Moon Festival. Book signing and a lantern craft to follow read aloud. Books will be available to purchase.
For more information, please call the library at 609-466-1625. |
TED, Tea, and Therapy (Dog)
Thursday, September 22nd | 2:00-3:00pm
at the Hopewell Public Library According to the American Library Association, in 2021, Libraries across the USA faced an "unprecedented number of bids" to ban books. In this week aimed at highlighting the issue, let’s talk about this. Register Here |
"Age is an issue of the mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain
Supporting a healthy Microbiome
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Summer Reading 2022
Summer Reading ran from June 22nd-August 31st, with events taking place weekly throughout the summer!
Summer Reading ran from June 22nd-August 31st, with events taking place weekly throughout the summer!
This year's theme was "Oceans of Possibilities"
Wednesday, July 6th: An Afternoon on the Boardwalk
Wednesday, July 13h: Mad Science Sea Life Workshop Thursday, July 21st: Oceans of Possibilities Project at Art Sparks Wednesday, July 27th: Sea Life Storytime & Craft Wednesday, August 3rd: Ocean Singalong & Dance Party Wednesday, August 10th: Local Water Systems Workshop Thursday, August 18th: Toy Boat Building Wednesday, August 24th: Nature Walk & Stream Splash For the first time this year, we had over 100 summer readers!
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Creative Aging Art Workshop (over 60’s)
at HPL Wednesday, July 13, 2022 | 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm A one day Art workshop, sponsored by NJ Council of Arts, delving into traditional and contemporary pen & ink applications. Learn and experiment with a wide variety of mark-making techniques and create compositions that will bring simple objects to life on paper. Nothing required but your enthusiasm |
More about the artist, Margaret Fanning
Researching Local History: Exploring Seminary Ave
Wednesday, July 6 | 7pm Hopewell Theater, 5 South Greenwood Ave. In person or via Zoom Free, registration required only for Zoom participants (register here) How can we find out about our local history – people and families, places and businesses?
In this presentation, Doug Dixon of the Hopewell Valley History Project will follow up on his recent historic walking tour of Seminary Avenue to demonstrate how researching with a variety of resources (many online) can weave together interesting stories of our local history. Why focus on Seminary Avenue? It turns out that Seminary Ave. has been a “starter street” for Hopewell since it was opened around 1880. Its apartments and storefronts allowed young families and small businesses to establish themselves in a growing town – from barbers and butchers, to clothing and grocery stores. Doug will explore the amazing stories of people and businesses that developed along this street, illustrated by maps, photos, deeds, newspaper articles and more. The presentation and video for this program can be found on the Discovery Local History Online: Seminary Ave. - Presentation and Video page of the Hopewell Valley History Project website. Doug Dixon is an independent technology consultant and writer, morphed into a history enthusiast. He is a board member of The Hopewell Museum and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society. Doug has developed the Hopewell Valley History Project, working with local contributors to collect and freely share digital copies of Hopewell's historical materials. Co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and the Hopewell Museum. |
Father's Day Family Storytime
Saturday, June 18 | 10am Hopewell Borough Train Station, 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ Hooray for all the dads! Join us for Donuts with Dad and some wonderful books at a special Father's Day storytime. All are welcome. No registration is required.
Any questions, please call (609) 466-1625. |
Triple B Sale
Saturday, June 11th | 10am - 2pm Hopewell Public Library 13 East Broad Street Hopewell, NJ 08525 Please join us as books, bags and baked goods will be on sale
during the town-wide yard sale, rain or shine. All proceeds from the sale will be used to benefit the library. For more information, please call (609) 466-1625. |
Seminary Avenue Historic Walking Tour
Saturday, May 21st | 11 am & 2pm Sunday, May 22nd | 1pm & 3pm Monday, May 23rd | 2pm Free, but registration is required by clicking here Seminary Ave, Hopewell NJ 08525 Co-sponsored by Hopewell Valley History Project Join Doug Dixon of the Hopewell Valley History Project for this one-hour historic walking tour of Seminary Avenue in Hopewell Borough – plus two more blocks to Gazebo Park. Explore the stories of the people and businesses of this nondescript street that helped to provide the initiative and energy to help a small village grow into a prosperous town.
The tour will continue two more blocks down East Broad and South Greenwood, ending at the Hopewell Gazebo Park. These blocks illustrate the institutions that helped to expand the town, including the hotel, library, church, bank, pharmacy, community hall, school, borough hall, firehouse, and post office. Over the past few years, Doug has developed the Hopewell Valley History Project, working with over 80 local contributors to collect and freely share digital copies of local historical materials – now with some 500 documents and maps, 2700 images, and an interactive historical map of Hopewell. Visit the References page on the Hopewell Valley History Project website for more information about the Seminary Avenue Historic Walking Tour, including the Handout, plus briefs on Seminary Ave. and East Broad / South Greenwood, and briefs on individual properties and local organizations. |
Discussing Film: Marvel Movies
Tuesday, May 10th | 6:30pm - 7:30 pm Hopewell Public Library 13 East Broad Street Hopewell, NJ 08525 Join Staff Librarian Jamie Anderson with the Hopewell Public Library after the release of Marvel Studios' much anticipated film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), to discuss your favorite Marvel movies.
Participants are not required to watch a particular movie or TV show to attend; simply come and discuss what you've seen! What have you enjoyed? What have you hated? What made you think? |
Mother's Day Family Storytime (Cancelled)
Saturday, May 7 | 11:00am Hopewell Borough Train Station, 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ Time to celebrate all the moms! Join us for chocolate chip cookies and some wonderful books at a special Mother's Day storytime. All our welcome. No registration is required.
Any questions, please call (609) 466-1625. |
Build a Home Meadow
Wednesday, May 4th | 7:00pm
Hopewell Theatre, 5 South Greenwood Ave, Hopewell, NJ Free but registration is required Note: Admittance to the Hopewell Theatre requires either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test and masks are required when not eating or drinking.
In his Build a Home Meadow talk Mike Van Clef Ph.D. shares how to incorporate sustainable conservation practices while beautifying the area around your home. The talk goes over various landscape uses for native plants ranging from meadow patches to formal gardens. It focuses on selection of native plants based on their functions (e.g., screening, foundation plantings, plants for shade, etc.), emphasizing the value these plants provide to birds, bees and butterflies — contributing to increasing the health of our natural world. Finally, Dr. Van Clef will also discuss how to select deer resistant plants and develop creative ways to protect any native plant from marauding deer. While this Wednesday Night Out event co-sponsored by Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FOHVOS) has now passed, Mr. Van Clef's slideshow presentation for the event can be accessed online here. |
Part of the Hopewell Public Library's Wednesday Night Out series.
Co-sponsored by the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space |
Discussing Film: Favorite Movies
Tuesday, April 12th | 6:30pm - 7:30 pm Hopewell Borough Train Station at 2 Railroad Place Hopewell, NJ 08525 Join Staff Librarian Jamie Anderson with the Hopewell Public Library to discuss your favorite films and what they mean to you.
Participants are not required to watch a particular movie or TV show to attend; simply come and discuss what you've seen! What have you enjoyed? What have you hated? What made you think? |
Seed Exchange & Children's Flowerpot Decorating
Saturday, April 9 | 10:00am - 2:00pm Hopewell Public Library, 13 East Broad Street Calling all gardeners! HPL is hosting a seed giveaway and a flowerpot decorating craft in front of the Library on Saturday, April 9.
Gardeners are welcome to bring their own seeds to exchange or to select the seeds they would like from our seed giveaway table. Registration is closed for the flowerpot craft. Thank you to everyone who signed up. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday. And thank you to Stony Brook Gardens in Pennington for donating the flowerpots! |
Film Screening and Discussion: The Visitor (2007) PG13
Thursday, March 3rd | 7pm - 9:30pm Hopewell Theater, 5 S Greenwood Ave, Hopewell, NJ 08525 Free, but registration required, click here to register Co-sponsored by the Pennington Public Library Masks and proof of vaccination or negative COVID test required for entry.
When professor Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) travels to New York for a lecture, he’s stunned to find illegal immigrants Tarek (Haaz Sleiman) and Zainab (Danai Gurira) living in his apartment. It comes out that it was rented to them by a swindler, and Vale feels sufficiently sorry for them that he invites them to stay. They get on well until Tarek is accused of jumping a subway turnstile and lands in a detention center. He risks being deported, and Vale does everything he can to prevent it. View trailer Discussion will be led by Katie Connolly and Julie Aberger: Pennington residents Katie and Julie have been friends and neighbors for almost 40 years, and for the past several years have watched movies together weekly. Besides the movie, they enjoy wine, food, talk and laughter. Oh, and did we mention wine? The women turned to the huge selection of movies, foreign and domestic, from the Mercer County and Pennington Libraries. While watching, they eat. And sometimes drink. Katie cooks vegan while Julie orders pizza. After the movie, the two discuss and often disagree about what they have seen, sometimes vociferously. This event is part of the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program, implemented locally by the Pennington Public Library. The initiative intends to bring communities together around one book and use the shared experience of reading, discussing, and exploring the themes of that book as a stepping stone to learn from and listen to each other. For more of the Pennington Public Library's Big Read Programs, click here. |
Film Discussion Club
Saturday, February 26th | 12:30pm - 1:30pm Hopewell Borough Train Station, 2 Railroad Place Hopewell, NJ 08525 Free, registration recommended Join Staff Librarian Jamie Anderson for an open and informal discussion regarding the latest in film.
Participants are not required to watch a particular movie or TV show to attend. Simply come and discuss what you've seen! What have you enjoyed? What have you hated? What made you think? |
Take the Trolley: The Trolley Age in Mercer County
January 26th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
IN PERSON or VIA ZOOM Hopewell Theater, 5 South Greenwood Ave. PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION OR A NEGATIVE COVID TEST REQUIRED BY THE VENUE FOR ENTRANCE. Free | Zoom Registration Required Registration for the ZOOM portion now closed. Join the Hopewell Public Library and Dennis Waters for a lecture on the history of Hopewell’s Trolleys. In the early decades of the 20th century, more than one million passengers rode the two trolley lines connecting Trenton and Princeton each year. But, trolley tracks extended as far as Pennington and Hopewell. The roads were bad, the automobile was not yet dominant, and for a few cents the trolley was the cheapest, fastest, and generally safest way to get from point A to point B in Mercer County. Join us on January 26th to learn more about the trolley age in all of its blue-sky ambition and rampant skulduggery, including where you can still see relics of the trolley lines that are still part of the landscape. Dennis Waters spent twelve years as Lawrence Township Historian. He serves as a trustee of the Lawrence-Hopewell Trail, where he manages the "History Along the LHT" project. He received a Ph.D. in advanced technology from the Watson Engineering School at Binghamton University. His book Behavior and Culture in One Dimension: Sequences, Affordances, and the Evolution of Complexity was published by Routledge in 2021. |
Workshop: Spark Joy, Declutter, and Tidy
January 19, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A virtual zoom event Free | Registration required 20 participant maximum NOTE: Sign-up has closed as of Jan. 18 Meet Shannon Huneycutt, founder of Spark Joy Charlotte and a KonMari Silver Consultant, as she guides participants in the KonMari Method of organizing using discussion and demonstration, followed by a Q&A. The Hopewell and Princeton Public Libraries are excited to join Shannon for a presentation on what it means to lead a life that Sparks Joy. Participants will learn the KonMari philosophy and guiding principles needed to tidy once and for all in their home, office, and life. Shannon is also sharing her Spark Joy Charlotte tidying checklist. It breaks apart KonMari categories, making it easier to apply the method. Please print it out and bring it with you to the webinar. Finally, make sure to bring a T-shirt and pair of pants for a demonstration of the KonMari vertical folding technique! |