​Heartfelt thanks to Lori Saporito
for this beautiful handcrafted sign
for the library!
​

HPL Past Events - 2023


Click here to see this year's current events!


 Past Events - 2022 - Past Events - 2021 - Past Events - 2020 - Cancelled Events - 2020 (COVID) - Past Events - 2019

Learn to Play Mahjongg

3 Sessions with Connie Bracci-McIndoe

Wednesday, May 3rd | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Wednesday, May 10th | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Wednesday, May 17th | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Learn how to play American Mahjongg! Connie Bracci-McIndoe will bring her Mahjongg sets for the group to use. The HPL will host three 2-hour sessions on playing this strategic game. Before the class, please obtain your card from the National Mahjongg league at nationalmahjonggleague.org and review the rules at https://daw-ca.aauw.net/files/2013/02/americanMahJonggRules.pdf.
Due to an overwhelming number of in-person requests,
this class has already reached capacity.  Stay tuned for future events!
at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church
80 West Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525

Mother's Day Storytime
with Aaron

Saturday, May 13th | ​10:00 - 11:00 am
at the Hopewell Train Station
2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Join us for some wonderful books and chocolate chip cookies to celebrate Mother’s Day at this special Saturday Storytime with Aaron!

Exploring the Hopewell Inn
History and Tour with Doug Dixon

Wednesday, May 3rd | 7:00 - 8:00 pm
at the Hopewell Theater
The Hopewell Inn, long known as the Central Hotel, had a nearly 150 year history as a part of the town of Hopewell before it was demolished in July 2022. The building was used for residential and retail, hotel and livery, saloon and apartments, luncheonette and rooming house, and bar and bistro.

This presentation explores the forgotten history of the Hopewell Inn, and of the people and families who nurtured and reinvigorated the building and ran the businesses through the years.

We also will take a visual tour of the building in its final form – not only the exterior and public spaces, but also the upstairs rooms and cellar – and discover clues about how the building was constructed and expanded.
About the Presenter: Doug Dixon is an independent technology consultant and writer, now morphed into a history enthusiast. He is a board member of The Hopewell Museum and the Hopewell Valley Historical Society.

This event will take place in person at the Hopewell Theater, but you can also attend virtually via Zoom by registering at this link. This event is cosponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and the Hopewell Museum. More detailed information is available here.

with Ange Chianese

"You can’t help but enjoy yourself at Ange’s drum circle... Your performance can be as complex or as simple as you like - all judgment-free!"
-Toni Flint, patron of HPL & regular attendee at Ange’s drum circle
May 2nd | 2:30-3:30pm
at the Hopewell Train Station
register at tinyurl.com/HPLDrumsMay23
Ange Chianese has been leading interactive, non-competitive drum gatherings since beginning studies with Music for People in 1986. His focus in recent years has been to bring folks together in a non-judgemental forum, with emphasis being on doing (rather than explaining).

Whatever it is you want to do, merely bang out your own frustrations, find your own fancy rhythm, or tap into your inner child, come and join us for some non-judgmental, experiential fun! If you have a drum, spoons, bundt cake tin - anything you'd like to play, please bring it! Some drums will be provided. As always, no experience necessary, just enthusiasm!

Genealogy

Session 1: Thursday, 4/13  |  2:00 - 3:00 pm
Session 2: Thursday, 4/27  |  200 - 3:00 pm
at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church
80 W Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Who do you think you are?!

Who doesn’t want to know more about their own family history? Join us as we investigate ways (other than Ancestry) to discover those who came before us. Casey Wilkes will guide us through databases - with tips and tricks to save hours when looking for the people from our past.

This exciting event has limited capacity, so be sure to register here!
Monday, April 17th & Monday, April 24th
at the Hopewell Public Library
There are two separate bullet journaling clubs at the HPL. The Bullet Journal Book Club is for any adults 18+, while the School Planner Edition is for high school and college students ages 14-21. (18-21 year olds can go to either book club - or both!)
  • Bullet Journal Book Club: Tuesday, April 18th | 6:00-7:30pm | Register Here!
  • School Planner Edition: Tuesday, April 25th | 6:00-7:30pm | Register Here!
a journal - a calendar - a habit tracker - a mood tracker - a sketchbook - a meal planner - an exercise tracker - a class schedule - a budgeting tool - a to-do list - a reading and media log - a scrapbook - a photo album - a yearbook - a place to track your goals - a place to write your dreams - anything you want it to be!
Saturday, April 15th | ​10:00 - 11:00 am
at the Hopewell Train Station
2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ 08525
On Saturday, April 15th, join us at the Hopewell Train Station for some storytime fun with Aaron! No registration is required for this event.

"Seeing Red"
Exploring Color with Karen McLean

Tuesdays from April 11th - May 30th
Karen McLean's Studio
14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525
During the residency, Karen will teach about the elements of color. Participants will explore the use of color, observe the use of color by different artists (such as Matisse) and complete exercises which reflect the observations.  Participants will develop their own flair with exercises completed over the 8 week period. All materials will be supplied.

Because the skills taught are sequential, this is a commitment of 8 consecutive weeks; the hope is that participants will attend at least 6 of the classes.
You need bring nothing but your enthusiasm! This class is already at capacity, but you can still register here for the wait list!

About the Artist:

To read about the artist and see more examples of her work, please visit her website at karenmclean.com/about-karen-mclean.

Ceramics with Jim Jansma

Wednesdays from April 5th - May 24th | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
The Hopewell Train Station
2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Those who attended Jim's previous classes will know how much fun they were. With Jim's guidance, the class was able to produce pieces way beyond our initial skill sets!
This is a commitment of 8 consecutive weeks. The first 3 weeks will focus on building basic ceramics skills. The next 3 weeks will focus on developing glazing and decoration ideas. The final 2 weeks will be devoted to a supported self-study project. All are welcome to attend, including patrons who attended last year’s class. This class is already at capacity. To join the waitlist, register here!

About the Artist:

Jansma, who received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and his MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, served on the visual arts faculty at Princeton University where he taught ceramics from 1992-2003. He’s a four-time Fellowship recipient from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, most recently in 2018. He lives and maintains a studio where he resides in Hopewell, NJ.

For more information about Jim Jansma and his work, click here.

Yoga for Vibrant Aging

Thursday, March 30th | 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Join us at the Hopewell Train Station for an enjoyable yoga practice focused on creating ease in the body, where we will reduce aches and pains while enhancing strength, alignment, and awareness. Other benefits reported include improved balance and posture, movement efficiency, joint health, immunity, and sleep. Practicing yoga just plain helps us feel better at any age! This class includes warming up the whole body, breathing and relaxation practices, yoga postures, and accessible, gentle movement.

About the Teacher:
Melissa Printon, C-IAYT, teaches Spanda® Yoga as developed by Dr. Jaime Stover Schmitt Ed.D., CMA, SME, IDME, E-RYT500, C-IAYT. Spanda Yoga® draws from the Himalayan tradition of yoga and is informed by modern science and research. It is enriched by Dr. Schmitt’s deep study and understanding of various movement and therapeutic modalities cultivated over many decades. A long time student of Dr. Schmitt, Melissa has been teaching yoga since 2018 and is certified as a professional yoga therapist by the International Association of Yoga Therapy.
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
at the Hopewell Public Library
Calling all gardeners! The HPL is hosting a seed giveaway and a children’s craft in front of the Library on Saturday, March 25th. Gardeners are welcome to bring their own seeds to exchange or select seeds they would like from our seed giveaway table.

Children are invited to join us to create a “plant person.” Registration is required for the children’s craft, but not for the seed exchange. Register for a 30 minute time slot in person or by filling out this form!

Acupuncture:
​An Ancient Art for a Modern Clinical Age

What does President Nixon have to do with the popularity of this ancient medical model? Why have an estimated 1 in 10* American adults used it? Why are veterans encouraged to have acupuncture? Join us for a quick guide to this increasingly popular choice for health.

With qualifications in both Eastern & Western medicine, Paula will offer a whistlestop tour of acupuncture and its curious methodologies! This exciting event is already at capacity, but you can still register here for the waitlist!
(*Data provided from the National Certificate & Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine)
Wednesday, March 22nd  |  2:30 - 3:30 pm
​The Hopewell Train Station
2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ 08525

Frida Kahlo: Dreams, Demons, and Devotion
Presented by Janet Mandel, Arts Educator

Tuesday, March 21st | 7:00pm
at the Hopewell Theater
Frida Kahlo’s paintings illustrate the anguish and passion of a fascinating, complicated personal and artistic life. The astonishing works of this Mexican and feminist icon will be looked at through the lens of her ethnicity, disabilities, and political activism, especially emphasizing her engagement with the natural world.

About Our Presenter: Janet Mandel taught in New Jersey’s public schools for 32 years, the last eighteen of which were at Columbia High School in Maplewood, where she taught English, art history, and World Languages and Cultures. Now retired, Janet presents illustrated talks on a variety of art history topics at adult schools, libraries, museums, senior centers, community centers, and similar venues.
Preregistration is required for both Zoom and in-person attendance. You will need to present proof of registration to enter the theater. In-person seats are sold out, but you may still register to attend via zoom by using this link.

This event is co-hosted by the Pennington Public Library and the Hopewell Public Library and sponsored by the Friends of the Pennington Public Library.
"You can’t help but enjoy yourself at Ange’s drum circle... Your performance can be as complex or as simple as you like - all judgment-free!"
-Toni Flint, patron of HPL & regular attendee at Ange’s drum circle

Drum Circle

March 7th | 2:30-3:30pm
at the Hopewell Train Station
Ange Chianese has been leading interactive, non-competitive drum gatherings since beginning studies with Music for People in 1986 (www.musicforpeople.org) His focus, in recent years, has been to bring folks together in a non-judgmental forum, with emphasis mostly on 'doing' rather than 'explaining.'  

Whatever it is you want to do, merely bang out your frustrations, find your own fancy rhythm, or tap into your inner child, come and join us for non-judgmental, experiential fun! If you have a drum, spoons, bunt cake tin: anything you'd like to play please bring them. Some drums will be provided. 
​
As always, no experience necessary, just enthusiasm! This exciting event is already at capacity, but you can still register here for the wait list.
There are two separate bullet journaling clubs at the HPL. The Bullet Journal Book Club is for any adults 18+, while the School Planner Edition is for high school and college students ages 14-21. (18-21 year olds can go to either book club - or both!)
  • Bullet Journal Book Club: Tuesday, February 21st | 6:00-7:30pm | Register Here!
  • School Planner Edition: Tuesday, February 28th | 6:00-7:30pm | Register Here!
a journal - a calendar - a habit tracker - a mood tracker - a sketchbook - a meal planner - an exercise tracker - a class schedule - a budgeting tool - a to-do list - a reading and media log - a scrapbook - a photo album - a yearbook - a place to track your goals - a place to write your dreams - anything you want it to be!
with Hopewell author and illustrator, Barbara Valenza
at the Hopewell Train Station
2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Please join us for a special storytime with Hopewell children's author and illustrator, Barbara Valenza. Barbara will read her book Little Lovedog's Long Walk Home--a story about an unusually long dachshund who thinks he has no friends. Or does he? Book signing and a dog-themed craft will follow. Books will be available for purchase. "Be a little Lovedog" stickers and pins giveaways!​

No registration is required. Please call the library at (609) 466-1625 with any questions.

Genealogy

Session 1: Wednesday, 2/15  |  2:30-4:00pm
Session 2: Wednesday, 2/22  |  2:30-4:00pm
at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church
80 W Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Who do you think you are?!

Who doesn’t want to know more about their own family history? Join us as we investigate ways (other than Ancestry) to discover those who came before us. Casey Wilkes will guide us through databases - with tips and tricks to save hours when looking for the people from our past.

This event is at capacity, but you can still register here for the wait list!
"You can’t help but enjoy yourself at Ange’s drum circle... Your performance can be as complex or as simple as you like - all judgment-free!"
-Toni Flint, patron of HPL & regular attendee at Ange’s drum circle

Drum Circle

February 7th  |  2:30-3:30pm
at the Hopewell Train Station
Ange Chianese has been leading interactive, non-competitive drum gatherings since beginning studies with Music for People in 1986 (www.musicforpeople.org) His focus, in recent years, has been to bring folks together in a non-judgmental forum, with emphasis mostly on 'doing' rather than 'explaining.'  

Whatever it is you want to do, merely bang out your frustrations, find your own fancy rhythm, or tap into your inner child, come and join us for non-judgmental, experiential fun! If you have a drum, spoons, bunt cake tin: anything you'd like to play please bring them. Some drums will be provided. 
​
As always, no experience necessary, just enthusiasm! This event is at capacity, but you can register here for the wait list!

Lichens of the Hopewell Valley
presented by Dennis Waters

Wednesday, February 1st | 7:00 pm
at the Hopewell Theater
Lichens are everywhere, growing on trees, rocks, tombstones, and rotting logs. More than 100 species of lichen are found in the Hopewell Valley and Sourland Region, including a species new to science that was discovered on Mt. Rose. Join us to learn about these fascinating and ecologically important organisms, where they live and how they live. Bring lichens you have found and learn to identify the common ones.

Dennis Waters is a visiting scientist in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources at Rutgers University, where he studies the lichens of central New Jersey. 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.
Lunar New Year Storytime
Featuring Hopewell author Yobe Qiu
Saturday, January 28th | 10:00-11:00 am
Hopewell Train Station
2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ 08525
January 22 ushers in the Lunar New Year and people celebrate around the world. Join us for a special storytime as Hopewell author, Yobe Qiu, spotlights Lunar New Year with her book Our Lunar New Year: Celebrating Lunar New Year in Asian Communities. This book introduces different traditions of celebrating the Lunar New Year with short stories about families form China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and India as they celebrate the holiday in their own special way. Book signing and a craft will follow the read aloud.

Sophie Labelle's Trans Agenda Speaking Tour

Tuesday, January 24th | 7:00 pm
at the Hopewell Theater
Sophie will be stopping in Hopewell for her International Trans Agenda Speaking Tour! It will be her last tour in a while, so don't miss this chance to meet her.
Sophie Labelle is a neurodivergent trans cartoonist and novelist from Montréal, in French Canada. She is the author of the webcomic Assigned Male, which has been running since 2014, and the Ciel novel series. She likes to collect rocks and lives in Finland with her Finnish husband. The Best of Assigned Male was recently published by Hachette UK.
During her talk, she will speak about her art and activism, her artistic process, comic-making, community building and empowerment through art. She will answer questions from the audience and sign books at the end.
Recommended for ages 12+.
​Please note that this event is taking place on a Tuesday.

Reiki and Mindfulness Meditation with Liz Amaral

January 18th  |  2:30-3:30pm
at The Hopewell Train Station
'Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress'.
- The Mayo Clinic, January 2023
Are you interested to know more? Join Reiki Master & teacher Liz Amaral for an introduction to energy work, complete with Reiki session. Bring nothing but enthusiasm and a desire to relax! Click here to register, or click here to learn more!
Bullet Journal Book Club:
School Planner Edition!
Tuesday, January 17th  |  6:00-7:30 pm
at the Hopewell Public Library
     The Bullet Journal Book Club: School Planner Edition! will have its first meeting of 2023, where we will set up bullet journals for next month!
     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.

TED & Tea: What Makes a Good Life?

January 11th | 2:00-3:00pm
at the Hopewell Public Library
What makes a good life? Let’s start the new year with lessons from the longest study on happiness!

THIS EVENT IS AT CAPACITY! Register here to be put on the wait list!
Bullet Journal Book Club
Tuesday, January 10th  |  6:00-7:30 pm
at the Hopewell Public Library
     The Bullet Journal Book Club will have its first meeting of the new year, where we will set up bullet journals for next month!

     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 January 17th.
2023 Hours
  Mon.  12 pm - 8 pm
  Tues.  12 pm - 8 pm
  Wed.  12 pm - 5 pm
  Thurs.  12 pm - 5 pm
  Fri. 12 pm - 5 pm
  Sat. 10 am - 2 pm
Subscribe to HPL Emails
  For informational updates and events
Address
  13 East Broad Street
  Hopewell, NJ 08525
Telephone
  Phone:  609-466-1625
  Fax:  609-466-1996
Social Media
Email
  HPL@redlibrary.org
Site Search
Donate to the HPL