Local rock band to perform benefit concert for New Hope-Solebury High School classmate and leukemia research

By Charlie Sahner

New Hope band JC Satellite will perform "A Concert for Carly - Destroy Leuk" on Saturday, March 5 to raise awareness and money for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Three of the four bandmembers are classmates at New Hope-Solebury High School of Carly Stephens, who was diagnosed with leukemia in July, 2010.

Radio deejay "Spike" from Philadelphia's WYSP 94.1 FM will emcee the concert, which also includes an opening performance by singer/songwriter Kelly Carvin and special guest Gabby D'Angelo, another classmate from New Hope-Solebury High School.

Doors to the concert will open at 7 p.m. at the Eagle Fire Hall, 46 N. Sugan Road in New Hope. Tickets are priced at $12 and available at the JC Satellite website.

Those who can't attend may make a donation to AML Research at the Childrens' Hospital giving page. 

St. Martin of Tours Church in New Hope may close school

 By Charlie Sahner

Rumors are flying among parents of children enrolled at St. Martin of Tours School in New Hope that the institution is closing.

St. Martin of Tours School is a private Catholic elementary school serving students of all denominations from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade.

Some speculate that low enrollment may be the cause.  Other parents are wondering how a potential closure might affect enrollment figures at New Hope-Solebury schools, although several parents have said on a popular local Facebook site that they would move their children to other area Catholic schools if necessary.

School teachers and staff there seem well-liked by students and parents, some of whom say they are still fighting to keep the school open.

A church spokesperson contacted Sunday confirmed the move was under consideration, but said, "The final word will come from the Cardinal within two weeks."

New Hope tries to dig out

By Charlie Sahner

New Hope did its collective best Thursday to dig out from the massive double-punch storm that dumped more than a foot of heavy, wet snow on the borough.

Residents complained of shoveling for two hours or more merely to unbury cars and clean front sidewalks of homes, and state workers seemed hard pressed to clear the numerous canal bridges in town.

By mid-afternoon, several sections of sidewalk downtown remained unpassable, although many strollers appeared to have stayed home, as streets were nearly empty of foot traffic.

But locals were sure to continue digging out and sprucing up for the busy Winter Festival weekend just ahead.

New Hope Zoning Hearing Board to weigh proposed new housing development across from high school

By Charlie Sahner

The Zoning Hearing Board of New Hope will consider in the weeks ahead a proposal by Rebecca River Road, LLC  President J. Robert Hillier of Princeton to build a residential development at 181 W. Bridge St., a 4.6 acre parcel directly opposite New Hope-Solebury High School.

The property contains a 9,500 square foot main house known as the 'Cintra Mansion' built in 1816 and historically registered.  That building is flanked by two cottages, and backed by a barn now used as an apartment building.

All in all, there are currently 13 apartments -- three in separate cottages, eight in the existing structure, and two in Cintra that are now vacant.

Said Nina Burns of Weidel New Hope, broker for the deal, "The proposed buyer/owner has presented a fabulous plan to restore and renovate the Cintra property.  He is definitely someone who knows how to restore old buildings yet bring full charisma to the area and best of all to the people of the community."

One area resident familar with zoning issues said he found the proposed project to be innovative, particularly in its use of advanced drainage techniques to ameliorate impermeable surface impacts, and in its preservation of existing trees (said to have already been measured and tagged).

Another resident who asked to remain anonymous asserted that requested variances pertaining to density of units within a given lot size, conversion of housing units deemed to be of historic value, and parking in front of historic structures, might draw scrutiny.

Under the current proposal, the parcel of land will be divided into two parts: the first lot, situated at the north end of the property, measures 1.5 acres and will be contributed by the builder to the New Hope-Solebury Library as a site for an expanded location with parking.

The second lot contains the proposed "Joseph Stanley" development that involves the restoration of the Cintra Mansion, cottages and barn for residential occupancy, essentially adding 16 new units to the existing 13 for a total of 29 residential condominiums.

Second bailout group pledges return of New Hope's Bucks County Playhouse to 'glory days'

Bucks County Playhouse (background) and former Club Zadar in New Hope, PA 

By Charlie Sahner

W. Paul Beckwith of New Hope announced at Tuesday night's Borough Council meeting that he and a private foundation are mounting a rival effort to rescue and restore the foreclosed Bucks County Theater.

Broadway producer Jed Bernstein and a pair of local residents had announced in December their formation of a "Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy," but that group appears somewhat adrift, according to sources close to the organization.

In a statement read in his absence by an associate, Beckwith said that his group's intention was to return the Playhouse to "its glory days and advance the program offerings to include opera, symphony, professional theater, [and] productions by local individuals and groups."

Beckwith said that the group is developing a plan through the established New Hope Arts organization to convert the Playhouse into a "not for profit venue" through "the generosity of a private foundation."

The plan envisions an "outlet" at the Playhouse site that will serve "the good people of New Hope/Lambertville as well as the surrounding area" and become "a pivotal performing arts center for all to enjoy."

Added Beckwith in his statement, "What is important to note is that steps are being taken to develop a program for the Playhouse to ensure that the coming season presents a vital and entertaining program while the plan moves forward."

He urged patience on the part of concerned residents and groups, citing "complexities" arising from the controversial series of events leading to the Playhouse's recent closure.

But, pledged Beckwith, "The project deserves and will receive a solid financial, legal, and executable plan to keep the Playhouse pertinent for generations to come.

"We are dedicated to the Borough of New Hope, we respect the role that the Playhouse plays in the historic, social and economic climate of the area and truly what it means to our fellow residents," he continued.

Second group emerges to save Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope

By Charlie Sahner

A new group has formed to save the foreclosed Bucks County Playhouse and is making a serious move to purchase the famous structure, according to multiple sources close to the situation.

The move comes at a time when the Doylestown-based Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy, founded by Peggy McRae and backed by the Heritage Conservancy of Doylestown, local lawyer Rick Appel, and Broadway producer Jed Bernstein, have announced their own rescue plan for the Playhouse, seized by lender Stoneridge Bank on Dec. 22.

Said Bernstein last week, “The entire theatre community was aghast at the idea of permanently losing this legendary venue and picturesque piece of theatre history.”

But substantial funding from Bernstein and his Broadway associates has not yet materialized, according to sources familiar with the organization, and the group appears adrift, only recently receiving non-profit certification and attempting to shed its somewhat enigmatic aura.

Enter the new Playhouse rescue group -- one which is "serious and not about to be beaten," according to an individual involved who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation.  This latest, New Hope-based group is also non-profit, and intends to keep the Playhouse a performing arts center as part of a complete waterfront revival effort.

Importantly, say sources, the new group is well-funded and moving forward decisively.

Comment from the Bucks County Playhouse Conservancy was not immediately available.


(originally published December 30)

Snowstorm Whacks Bucks County But New Hope Parties On

By Charlie Sahner

Positions available on New Hope Borough advisory boards and commissions

By Charlie Sahner

New Hope Borough Council will be filling several vacant committee and advisory board positions at its January and February meetings, so now is a good time to fill out an application if you're interested in being part of borough governance.

The open positions are:

Park and Recreation Board
1 vacancy with a term of office expiring on December 31, 2013.

Historic Architectural Review Board
2 vacancies with terms expiring December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2013. One vacancy is restricted by state law to appointment of a building inspector.

Shade Tree Commission
1 vacancy with a term of office expiring on December 31, 2014.

Revitalization Committee
1 vacancy restricted to a member of the New Hope Shade Tree Commission with a term expiring on December 31, 2012.

Recycling Committee
1 vacancy with a term of office expiring on December 31, 2011.

Applications for these volunteer position are available at the borough's web site or at 123 New Street.

Baby, it's cold outside!

New Hope section of Delaware Canal beginning to freeze

New Hope Shopping: What to get for the witch who has everything