2022: Top Stories On New Hope-Lambertville Patch

NEW HOPE, PA — The New Hope Eagle Fire Company marched into its 200th year in 2022 with a parade through town and with other celebratory events.

The Bucks County Playhouse also made the news in 2022, not once, but twice.

In 2022 the landmark Playhouse signed a long-term lease agreement with the New Hope Historical Society to repurpose a historic barn on South Main Street. The playhouse also debuted a new outdoor lighting system, which cast the playhouse in a whole new light.

The year also brought accreditation to the New Hope Borough Police Department and Blue Ribbon honors to the New Hope-Solebury Middle School.

Here are some of the top stories that made the news on the New Hope-Lambertville Patch during 2022:

Playhouse Signs Lease To Repurpose Historic Barn

NEW HOPE BOROUGH — In 2022, the Bucks County Playhouse signed a long-term lease with the New Hope Historical Society to repurpose a historic barn, which formerly housed Celt-Iberia Traders Gift Shop. The shop closed following the retirement of the owners. “Expanding our outreach to include the Parry Barn is a dream come true for Bucks County Playhouse,” said Playhouse Producing Director and CEO Alexander Fraser. “This addition to our campus will give us many opportunities — including relocating some events and educational activities that are better suited to a more intimate setting. We look forward to working with the historical society in providing a much-needed refurbishment of the barn’s interior, preserving one of New Hope’s oldest and most beautiful historic buildings.” Early in 2023, the Playhouse will be seeking zoning relief to repurpose the barn as a small event venue.

Four of Eagle's 50-year members, dressed in historic gear and helmets, ride on the back of the company's antique 1951 Mack Truck to represent members - past and present - who have served the company over its 200 year history.

New Hope Eagle Fire Company Celebrates 200th Anniversary

NEW HOPE, PA — The New Hope Eagle Fire Company turned 200 in 2022 and celebrated by hosting a fire parade through the streets of town. And what a parade it was. With sirens wailing, more than 65 companies from throughout Bucks County - and beyond - rolled down Main and Bridge streets showcasing the latest in fire apparatus and restored antiques. Companies came from as far away as Edgely in Lower Bucks and Springtown in Upper Bucks to help Eagle celebrate. Other companies included Lambertville, Midway, Newtown, Upper Makefield, Doylestown, Yardley-Makefield, Morrisville among many others. Residents and business owners filled the sidewalks along what would have been a busy morning in downtown New Hope to wave flags and to applaud their hometown volunteers. That sight meant the world to Eagle’s Fire Chief Kevin Doherty as he rode the parade route. “To see all those people taking the time out of what usually is a very busy Saturday to recognize how important our volunteers are to the community meant a lot,” he said. The pride and joy of New Hope - Eagle’s modern firefighting apparatus - led the parade through town to cheers and applause all along the way. Among the highlights of the parade was an original 1830s hand-drawn hose cart from the company’s early days. It was on loan to the company for the year from the Mercer Museum in Doylestown. “When you look at that it gives you perspective on what firefighting must have been like back then … They used pretty much a wooden bucket with a hand-pumping device to put out fires. They didn’t have turnout gear. They got out of bed and fought fires in their own clothes. Today we have turnout gear that costs us $5,000 a set. It puts everything into perspective on how we have evolved in the fire services. We have become more of a firefighting department.” Of course, back in those days, the small village of New Hope had just a handful of buildings. And there were just two to three calls a year. “Today we do 500 to 520 calls a year,” said the chief. “Sometimes it tires you out,” he admits, “but when you put the word out that we need help, 30 guys are showing up.” The company also arranged to have four of its 50-year members, dressed in historic gear and helmets, ride on the back of its 1951 Mack Truck for the parade. They represented members, past and present, who have served the company over its 200 year history. The firefighters represented 307 years of service by an amazing crew, said Doherty. The fire company, believed to be the oldest in the county, was formed in 1822 when horses were the main means of local transportation and the President of the United States was James Monroe, the last of the founding fathers to hold the office. The parade was the highlight of Eagle’s 200th celebration, which was chaired by Claire Shaw, the fire company’s president.

New Hope Borough Police Chief Michael Cummings and Mayor Larry Keller along with several borough officers accept a certificate of accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.

New Hope Borough Police Department Awarded Accreditation

NEW HOPE BOROUGH - The New Hope Borough Police Department was awarded accreditation by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association in 2022, making it one of only 20 borough departments in Pennsylvania to earn the recognition. At a borough council meeting in August, Jim Adams, the accreditation program coordinator for the statewide association, officially presented New Hope Borough Police Chief Michael Cummings and Mayor Larry Keller with a framed accreditation certificate. Joining them in accepting the certificate were accreditation manager Corporal Candace Trembley and Officer Kenneth Kozuhowski. Out of 950 boroughs in Pennsylvania, just 20 have accredited police departments, according to Adams. Pennsylvania also boasts about 1150 municipal police departments. Out of that number, only 142 are accredited. “That means you are in the top 13 percent of police departments in Pennsylvania, right in there with the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office criminal investigation division and the Philadelphia Police Department,” said Adams. “You rank right up there with the best of the best in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It’s quite an accomplishment.” Chief Cummings expressed his appreciation to the borough council, the mayor and the department for the support through the accreditation process. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I think it makes us better,” he said.

A brand new outdoor lighting system debuts at the Bucks County Playhouse.

Bucks County Playhouse Cast In A Brand New Light

NEW HOPE, PA – On the opening night of “Evita” in September, State Senator Steve Santarsiero threw the switch on a brand new outdoor lighting system at the Bucks County Playhouse in the heart of New Hope Borough. The new system was bought and paid for with a $95,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “This lighting helps return the playhouse to be the beacon of our community. It provides safety and security for our patrons. And as the economic driver for this community, this is going to celebrate the Playhouse in a very visible and great way,” said Alex Fraser, the Playhouse’s producing director. “When the playhouse reopened 10 years ago there was an incredible lighting system that lit the whole building. It lasted about one year and it died,” said Fraser. “We tried to fix it. We couldn’t fix it. And it was a very expensive proposition. So it got put on hold.” The project was resurrected two years ago with the receipt of a grant to fund the project, but due to the COVID supply chain problem it took until now to receive and then install the equipment, said Fraser. The new lighting system is designed to respect the Playhouse’s history, dating back to 1939, and illuminates the buildings and grounds in a way that welcomes visitors and provides additional safety for guests. It also architecturally lights the Aquetong Creek waterfall. “This Playhouse is the economic driver for this community. And in many ways it is the heart of New Hope. And everything that has been happening here has helped rejuvenate this community,” said Santarsiero. “And it’s a pleasure for me to have a small part in that. We are absolutely committed to be a partner with the Playhouse to keep it strong for many, many years to come as this focal point in New Hope Borough,” said Santarsiero.

The New Hope-Solebury Middle School - A National Blue Ribbon School.

New Hope-Solebury Middle School Earns Blue Ribbon Honors

NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY, PA — In September, the New Hope-Solebury School District learned that its middle school had been named a National Blue Ribbon School in the Exemplary High-Performing Schools category for exceptional performance on standardized assessments. U.S. Secretary Miguel Cardona made the announcement during his Road to Success Back to School bus tour. "Our middle school’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School is a tremendous honor for our entire school community to celebrate. It reflects the promise of our students, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the engagement of our families and community. We are delighted to receive this national distinction, which highlights our commitment to fostering student success and achievement,” said Dr. Charles Lentz, superintendent of schools. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

Tiwera Burrows puts up the "Open" sign at the new Lambertville Bakehouse on North Main Street.

New Baked Goods Shop Spreads Goodness In Lambertville

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ — The brand new Lambertville Bakehouse opened on North Main in June 2022 with a delicious array of mouthwatering baked goods. “It’s always been a dream of mine to come back here and start a business just like this,” said Tiwera Burrows, owner and accomplished pastry chef. “Everyone has worked so hard to make this possible. Now we are finally here and happy to serve the community some good bread.” Burrows worked in Lambertville before embarking on a career as a pastry chef. She started off at Anton’s at the Swan at the age of 21 where she helped in the kitchen. It was the owner and chef, Chris Connors, who encouraged her to follow her pastry career. Lucky for Lambertville she fell in love with the riverfront town and chose to locate her first shop here. Lambertville Mayor Andrew J. Nowick was among those on hand to welcome the bakery to town on June 18. “We’re super glad to finally have you here and I know you will be a huge success. It’s a great addition to the city,” he said. Lambertville Bakehouse offers assorted breads, bagels, pastries, and desserts with weekly featured products. Among the bakehouses’s specialities are its French Viennoiserie pastry, including its chocolate croissants and Viennoiserie chocolat. “We take pride in using the finest European butter, getting fresh, local strawberries from the farmers market and using as much of the local farm fresh products as we can. All of our goods are baked right here on our premises,” Burrows explained. “We want to provide a welcoming location where neighbors can grab a pastry and coffee or pick up their bagels and bread for the week. Lambertville is a great community to be a part of.”