HOPEWELL BOROUGH: Foods festival raises $4,600

For holiday decorations

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   A special fundraiser at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre in October brought the Hopewell Business Association (HBA) nearly one-third of the way toward its goal of raising $16,000 for new holiday decorations in downtown Hopewell Borough.
   The decorations would go atop utility poles, replacing large electric snowflakes that need to be replaced, the HBA says.
   ”We’re really appreciative of the support we received at the ‘Festival of Foods’ at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre on Oct. 23,” said HBA member Kari Barrio.
   ”Special thanks go to the Off-Broadstreet Theatre for donating the venue for the event, and to the restaurants and beverage providers that were there. We raised $4,600 for the decorations that night,” she said.
   Ms. Barrio, marketing director of the Hopewell Valley Community Bank (HVCBank), and Bill DiTrolio, who also works for HVCBank, were the lead organizers of the “Festival of Foods.”
   Ms. Barrio said the HBA wants to take advantage of seasonal price changes in the type of holiday decorations the association wants to purchase for the borough’s downtown.
   ”If we can purchase them in the spring, we should be able to get them at a considerably lower price than we’d have to pay going into the holiday season,” she said.
   She said the lights on the new decorations would be LEED (Leadership and Energy and Environmental Design)-certified as energy-efficient. The LEED rating system was developed by the United States Green Energy Council.
   ”It’s so great when people work together to make their town better for everybody. The HBA appreciates the support we received for the ‘Festival of Foods.’ We feel this fundraising drive is important to the town,” HBA President Virginia Aris said.
   Anyone wishing to make a contribution toward the purchase of new holiday decorations can mail a check to the Hopewell Business Association, P.O. Box 192, Hopewell, 08525.
   The local restaurants that volunteered to participate in the “Festival of Foods” are Da’s Kitchen, The Boro Bean, Jack & Charlie’s 23, Franco’s Pizza, Peasant Grill, Bell & Whistle, Bistro Inn, Antimo’s, Blue Bottle, Nomad Pizza, Brothers Moon, Paint the Roses and Catalina’s Snacks.
   Serving beverages at the “Festival of Foods” were Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Hunterdon Brew Company, Hub City and R&R Marketing.