Friday, December 27, 2013

Jan. 4th: Preserving and Protecting Hunterdon's Historic Treasures

Join us on January 4th for the kick off to our year-long lecture series.  Although our series covers many topics from the Revolutionary War to the lost dairy farms of Hunterdon, we thought we would start our first lecture of the year in a very provocative way.

At 1 p.m. at the Main Branch of the Hunterdon County Library on Route 12, join Marilyn Cummings to see her visual presentation on a major historical AND historic mapping project she has done for the county.  She began in Delaware Township where she serves as a member of the Historical Society.  She digitized and layered all of the maps she could find, from Lenni Lenape encampments to old roads.  When she finished that in celebration of Delaware's 175th anniversary, she just kept going!  She has now completed the digitization of all of Hunterdon.  Layer upon layer of old maps have been placed on top of each other.  Marilyn will peel these layers apart and demonstrate the powerful capabilities of her mapping project!

After a brief break for refreshments, we shall resume with our only panel discussion of 2014.  The discussion is topical:  the lost and fragile historic treasures of Hunterdon.  The panel will explore buildings and sites no longer there, the top ten most threatened and endangered historic structures, and how one group of intrepid citizens strove to save a major historic site and were successful in that endeavor. 

Panelists and historic preservation experts are Janice Armstrong, Elizabeth Cole and Michael Marguiles.  A question and answer period follows.

This event is free and limited to 100 people; there are 35 seats left.  For tickets, please see our website; limited tickets are also available on Saturday, December 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place in Flemington. 

Thursday, December 26, 2013

A Musical and "Playful" Afternoon Kickoff

Bells will ring, musicians will play and a group of historians, former freeholders and founding family descendants will re-enact the founding of Hunterdon County.

Beginning at 1 p.m. on January 1st at the Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse the Hunterdon County 300th Celebration officially kicks off.  Congressman Leonard Lance will open our afternoon and then there will be a short play about the incorporation of our County.  Historian Gayle Maher wrote the play after pouring over actual minutes from 18th century meetings of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

How many men behind the ruffled shirts, buckled shoes and breeches will you recognize?  And pay close attention to the superb acting skills -- especially in the scene in John Ringo's Tavern - tankards and all!

Immediately following the play, an amazing recital of music from 1714 and the Court of Queen Anne will commence played by the extraordinary Practitioners of Musick.

And if that isn't enough for a great afternoon, Shop Rite of Hunterdon is supplying a wonderful Reception Repast AND attendees of this event will be given a special 300th gift to kick off this special year!

The afternoon is free and family friendly. 

225 tickets are available for this event.  To acquire tickets via the internet, please visit our website www.hunterdon300th.org or tickets are available at the Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place, Flemington this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Photograph Historical Hunterdon or Hunterdon's Historical Celebration AND....

you may win a prize!

That's right -- Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee has announced our Photography Contest -- with CASH prizes!

There are two categories:  photographs of historical sites in Hunterdon and photographs taken at any official 300th event!  All photographs must be taken between January 1st and October 6th, 2014.

There are three age categories:  students under 11; students under 17; and adults.  ALL entrants must be amateurs.

The contest runs until October; submissions will be taken for one week and then on display for two weeks in November.  There will be a reception for all entrants and their families.

Judges are the two Walters.... Walter Chandoha and Walter Chorowezski.... and Peter Sandrian.

First prize is $100, second $50 and third is $50.  All children entrants receive a prize.

For the complete Rules and Entry Form, please see our website at www.hunterdon300th.org.  The first of every month under the Events calendar has all of the links.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Tavern Tour Tickets - Frenchtown Inn

Tickets will go on sale for the first Tavern Tour, the Frenchtown Inn, on Saturday, December 21st at the Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place, Flemington. 

THESE TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE VIA THE INTERNET.  THE FLEMINGTON CHOIR SCHOOL IS THE ONLY PLACE THEY MAY BE ACQUIRED.

There are only 40 tickets available, at $40 apiece, on a first come, first served basis.  Payment is required at time of purchase.  We expect them to sell out quickly.

Due to high demand for this 300th event, we know there are going to be many disappointed people out there and for that, we apologize.  If you don't get tickets to this event, we hope you will try for tickets in the future for the March Tavern Tour.

The Hunterdon Tricentennial Headquarters at the Flemington Choir School is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Our Huge Year Long FREE Calendars are Here!

Available now are our FREE calendars -- a true commemorative!

Our calendars, designed by graphics artist Marty Campanelli, have three gorgeous reprints of her husband's watercolors showing 3 seasons of Hunterdon and most of the 180 plus scheduled events for next year.  If you didn't make the connection, Marty's husband is renowned artist Dan Campanelli.  Dan and Marty, both artists, researchers and historians, are and have been amazingly generous friends to the Hunterdon 300th.

Our great friends at Shop Rite of Flemington and Clinton have donated the calendars to the Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee.

25,000 calendars in total have been printed.  All of the information is available on our website as well.

These huge, 24" by 36" calendars, printed on high quality glossy paper, are or will be available in the following locations:

Shop Rite of Flemington
Shop Rite of Clinton
The Hunterdon County Library Main Branch (Route 12)
The Hunterdon County Library North Branch (Halstead St., Clinton)
The Hunterdon County Library South Branch
All 26 municipalities at their clerk's offices (limited amounts)
The Office of the County Clerk (Main Street, Flemington)
The Office of the County Administrator (Main Street, Flemington)
The Flemington Choir School -- the Headquarters of the 300th (3 Chorister Place, Flemington)

We expect these calendars to go FAST to 25,000 lucky households in Hunterdon.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Just In Time For Christmas: "Hunterdon In My Heart" Has Arrived!

 
Looking for a last minute, unique gift for your Hunterdon Honey, Hubby or Houseguest?  Look no more for the Hunterdon Tricentennial has added another commemorative nifty gift item to our catalog.

"Hunterdon In My Heart" is a beautiful coffee table book of photographs by Walter Choroszewski.  The book will be available for sale this weekend at two different book signing events.  On Saturday, December 14th the book signing will take place at the Red Mill Museum in Clinton,  On Sunday at the Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place in Flemington. Both signings will be from 1 to 4 pm and refreshments will be available courtesy of Shop Rite.
 
"Hunterdon In My Heart" has 330 new original color photographs capturing the essence of Hunterdon county, its special places and people. County Historian Stephanie Stevens wrote the Foreword and Congressman Leonard Lance the Introduction. During a conversation about this project, Walter Choroszewski, who has photographed and published several other books on Hunterdon County, was asked if he was from Hunterdon. He replied, "No, but I'm Hunterdon in my heart!"
 
The books retails for $50 and will be available at the headquarters of the Hunterdon Tricentennial, The Flemington Choir School, both the North Branch and Main Branch of the County Library and various local bookstores. 

For more information on the book and to see a picture gallery of some of the photos, visit our website at http://www.hunterdon300th.org/

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

With Prices from $3 to to $395, Our 300th Items Fit Any Budget for Perfect Holiday Gifts .....

Our headquarters at the Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place in Flemington Borough, has been busy, busy, busy during our open hours on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.  With the holidays here, savvy Hunterdon shoppers have been buying up commemorative items and avoiding the malls at the same time!

Volunteers staffing the Choir School have been selling our 300th woven cotton throw like crazy!  We just placed our first re-order so that we'll have plenty of throws for holiday gift giving.  The throws are 100% cotton, made in the USA, and come in 3 colors:  navy blue, a vibrant cranberry, and hunter green.  They are $35 each.

Other big sellers include Hunterdon Historian John Kuhl's book "Hunterdon and the Civil War" ($15), our handmade in Hunterdon sunflower bowl ($3) which is almost sold out, and our Euro-style car magnet ($10) which we have been seeing on more and more cars around our county.

We also have our lapel pin ($5), t-shirts ($15 - $17) and beautiful black and white "architecture of Hunterdon" blank note cards by photographer Audrey Kerchner ($5) for sale.  Don't forget to grab a 300 Fun Facts About Hunterdon County tear-off calendar for $3 (come to the companion lecture on this subject January 22nd!).

Perfect for the holidays and still on pre-sale with a 20% discount is Walter Choroszewski's photography book Hunterdon in My Heart.  The book sells for $40 but will be going up to it's book jacket price of $50 on December 8.

Walter will be available to sign books from 1 to 4 pm on both Saturday, December 14th at the Red Mill Museum and Sunday, December 15th at The Flemington Choir School just in time for the holidays.  Pre-sold orders may be picked up then and additional books will be available for purchase.  Refreshments will be available at both signings courtesy of our super sponsor, Shop Rite of Hunterdon.

If your office co-workers are looking for a definitive gift for your boss, or you have someone in your life with the same passion for our County as we have, a wonderful gift is Hunterdon artist Dan Campanelli's print of his watercolor "Blue Skies."  This signed and numbered, limited edition print of the Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse comes both framed ($395) and unframed ($195).  The print is limited to only 300 and is going to be deed restricted for 100 years until the 400th celebration. 

You can check out all of the items on our website www.hunterdon300th.org or just stop by any Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Reservations now being accepted for most January events


Beginning this Saturday, November 30th, the Tricentennial Committee will be offering reservations for the first group of events in January, 2014.  Each event has a specific number of seats available.   Unless otherwise specified, all events are free, but all require reservations. 
Most reservations can be made on line by going to the Tricentennial Committee’s website’s Events page,   http://www.hunterdon300th.org/events.html , and clicking on the link on the specific calendar date of the selected event; this will lead you to the Tricentennial Committee’s reservation system. 

A small number of tickets are also going to be available at the Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place in Flemington Borough – the headquarters of the Tricentennial Committee -- on Saturdays from 10 am. to 2 p.m.   Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. 
The Hunterdon County libraries are poised to help anyone who has trouble navigating the site or does not have internet access. 

The Tricentennial Committee requests that anyone ordering tickets to free events contacts them if the tickets are not going to be used.  To get on a Wait List for “sold out” events, please leave a message at the Tricentennial office at (908) 788-2030 or email 300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us  .
On Saturday, November 30th the Tricentennial Committee will be taking internet reservations and/or have available reservations at the Flemington Choir School for the following events: 

Wednesday, January 1st : 1 pm: Re-enactment of Hunterdon County’s Organization, Historic Courthouse, 250 tickets available, free, refreshments follow; special 300th gift for attending this event.
Saturday, January 4th: 1 pm: Presentation followed by Panel Discussion: “Mapping and Preserving Hunterdon’s Historic Treasures,” Main Branch of the County Library, Route 12, 100 tickets available, free, refreshments follow.

Saturday, January 11th: 10:30 am: Children’s Historic Craft Project:  “Victorian Quilling,” for children 6 to 12 years old, North Branch of the County Library, Halstead St., Clinton, 10:30 a.m., 30 tickets available, free, refreshments available.
Saturday, January 18th: 2 pm: Lecture: “Rehabbing Historic Houses”, Main Branch of the County Library, Route 12, 100 tickets available, free, refreshments follow.

Wednesday, January 22nd, 7 pm:  Lecture: “300 Fun Facts About Hunterdon County”, North Branch of the County Library, Halstead St., Clinton, 85 tickets available, free, refreshments follow; special 300th gift for attending this lecture.
Other historical celebration events are also available in January hosted by various entities including the City of Lambertville, Flemington Presbyterian Church and the Tewksbury Historical Society.  Please check the Tricentennial’s website for information and the respective organization for reservations or additional information.

In case of bad weather, notice of all cancellations or changes to Tricentennial events will be recorded the day of the event on the Tricentennial’s answering machine at (908) 788-2030.

Fyi, don't forget to sign up for our December 7th fundraisers Fun with Brushes and Wine and Brushes through the link on our website under Fundraisers!

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Fun And Brushes/ Wine and Brushes

Our next big fundraiser is a double whammy:  one for the kids in the afternoon where they will have a fun time with an art project that will be perfect to send to Grandmom, PopPop, Nonna or Auntie Fern and Uncle Clyde as a holiday gift -- then get them a sitter and go out for a fun night yourselves and join us for Wine and Brushes where you will find wonderful wine, food and an array of art to give as gifts or a gift for yourself.

The back to back parties are on Saturday, December 7th (in less than two weeks!).  The day will begin with a FUN & BRUSHES a Children's Art Party.  Children will paint Hunterdon scenes with Eileen Rafferty of the Paint Party Studio.  The event takes place from 10 am to noon and refreshments will follow.  The cost to have your little Picasso or Grandma Moses paint a future collectible perfect now for giving as a holiday treasure is $25.

That evening, join local artists and have fun painting yourselves!  There will also be artwork by local artists and an art auction conducted by Auctioneer and former County Freeholder Harry Copeland.  This event is being held at Grape Finale, 8 Bartles Corner Road, Suite 107, Flemington from 5 pm to 9 pm at a cost of $50 per person.

To purchase tickets for either Fun And Brushes or Wine and Brushes, please go to the Fundraisers page of the Tricentennial's website at http://www.hunterdon300th.org/fundraisers.html .

Sunday, September 29, 2013

And the Winners Are......

A great time was had by all at Saturday's Chili Cook-off Contest.  With more than a dozen contestants everyone had plenty to sample.... with hot dogs and watermelon, cornbread and roasted corn everyone had plenty to eat.  And then there was the beer truck!

Dave Bond and Real Country led off the afternoon.  Dave also provided a hay wagon for hayrides.

Note the trophies to the left of the big pumpkin in the middle -- right below Dave in white shirt and black hat.


Ever popular, Dave and Real Country's following came to cheer on a great performance.  After the Dave finished, Cindy Yard, County Administrator and organizer of the Chili Contest, grabbed a bunch of folks and had a line dancing lesson.  Entertainment for those dancing as well as those watching!

Next came the Blue Notes -- second band of the night.... A big thank you to Tom Antosiewicz for giving up his time and convincing his buddies to do the same. 



And then the announcement came:  time to make sure everyone voted for their favorite First Responder and favorite Professional chilis...

Three winners were announced and the three trophies were given out:  Best Decorated (and certainly most enthusiastic team) went to the County Seat's Flemington Fire Department.  FFD decked out their table with a flaming tablecloth and fire truck and Dalmatian balloons and had wrist bands, candy and firemen's hats for the kids as giveaways.

The trophy for best First Responder Chili went to the 104 year old fire company Hampton Fire Department.  The team, which included Freeholder Director Rob Walton, sporting train engineer hats and matching navy blue company t-shirts, created a great chili with all the fixin's.

Finally, the most coveted of all trophies, the best Professional, was a close one.  People were raving about Matt's Red Rooster's smoky chili all afternoon, Blue Fish's amazing mellow chili and the creamy, delicious cornbread (and chili) by Mad Cow (Lebanon Deli in Lebanon Borough) but the winner of the People's Choice went to the Mountain View Chalet.  Words like "richness," "depth," "deep" and "mouth feel" were bantered around by the cook-off's samplers to describe Mountain View Chalet's chili.  Whatever anyone wanted to say about it, it was agreed it was simply delicious.

A big thank you to all of the participants, volunteers, and donors who helped out the 300th on this event:  Dave Bond and Real Country, Tom Antosiewicz and Blue Notes, Shop Rite of Hunterdon, our great friend, John Keating who got us the beer and made us a wonderful sign, the Hunterdon CERT team, our wonderful line dancing instructors, county employees who volunteered their time, the Parks Department and of course, the many, many judges who came, ate, voted and enjoyed.  If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry -- you were all great and it was a great event.  We hope everyone had fun -- we certainly know you had enough to eat!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Cool! The Blue Notes and Hot! Chili

If you've been following the Blog about the Chili Cook-Off Contest, then you are "in tune" to the fact that there are going to be TWO live bands on Saturday, September 28th. 
 
South County's own Dave Bond and his band Real Country are on stage from 3:30 to 5 p.m.  At 6:30, The Blue Notes take the stage and will play through the night.

The Blue Notes have been playing music for 5 decades. They feature John Zawad on lead guitar, Clem Skarzinski on bass & harmonica, Pete Beni on trumpet, Jeff Tuorto on drums and Tom Antosiewicz on keyboards. The band specializes in music from Big Band & standards, 50’s through the 80’s and southern rock. 

Any of those names sound familiar?  The Blue Notes come to us courtesy of Tom Antosiewicz who is also a member of the Raritan Township Committee.  A big shout out to Tom! Thanks!!

The Blue Notes have backed up Frankie Lymon (Timmy Wilson lead) and members have played with groups such as Rock on Wood, Rock Daddies, The Cameo’s, Simply Sixties, Billion Dollar Band and the Music Rascals.

The Chili Cook-off Contest is this Saturday at the South County Park from 3 to 9 p.m.  For further information check out our website at www.hunterdon300th.org

 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

This Party is Chill, Not Just Chili!

This Saturday, September 28, the Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee is hosting our Second Big Event, the great Chili Cook-off Contest....

Well, chili is just the beginning!

What do you get for your $25 entrance fee?
  • A beautiful, handmade (in Hunterdon!) sunflower bowl with our commemorative logo on the bottom -- yours to keep;
  • Hot dogs with all the trimmings;
  • Roasted Corn -- YUM! Just like at the Fair!
  • Cornbread
  • Watermelon (a final taste of Summer)
  • TWO -- count 'em -- TWO live bands:  Dave Bond and Real Country in the afternoon, the Blue Notes in the evening;
  • Line Dancing lessons! (so you can dance off those hot dogs!);
  • Chili, Chili, Chili!!
Who's Chili you ask?  Well.... let's start with a sampling of our great First Responders:  How about the County Seat's very own Flemington Fire Department!  And it seems there may be a little South County Rivalry going between the Lambertville Rescue Squad and West Amwell Fire Company.... And of course we have plenty of professional chefs including a duel between two chefs from Blue Fish Grill.  The rest will have to remain a surprise for now.

Beer will be available along with our fabulous commemorative glass mug.

Where:  The South County Park, Home of the Hunterdon Agricultural and 4-H Fair in the new Tractor Barn

When:  from 3 to 9 p.m. this Saturday, September 28th.

COST: Adults - $25, Kids 6 to 10 - $10, Children 5 and under - Free

Check out the 300th's website www.hunterdon300th.org for more information about the Blue Notes, Dave Bond or to download the event flyer. 

Friday, September 20, 2013

Our Fantastic Woven Throws are Priced Right and In Stock!

The 300th's beautiful woven throw, made in the USA of 100% cotton and displaying 9 historic icons of Hunterdon County and our logo commemorating the 300th celebration

have arrived at our headquarters in three colors, Navy Blue, Hunter Green and Cranberry. The colors are crisp and bright and really show off the pictures!

Not only are there 9 special structures of Hunterdon depicted (some very familiar, others not so, like Governor Reading's House and  Reynolds Tavern), all 26 municipalities are listed around the quilt.  The quilt also comes with a special brochure that gives a brief history of each structure plus their addresses and GPS coordinates so you can find them and see them in person.  More about the selection and history of each icons in future Blogs.

Although the picture above doesn't do it justice, we wanted you to see how big it is, so here are two of our wonderful volunteers some of you may know, Jim Robinson and Carolyn Sepkowski, with the cranberry quilt.

You can pay for and pick up your throw any Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hunterdon County Tricentennial's headquarters:  The Flemington Choir School located at 3 Chorister Place in Flemington Borough.  Chorister Place is a small alley/street that runs down from Main Street near the Police Station and down to Spring Street.  You can park in any of the municipal lots off Chorister Place.
 
If you cannot make a Saturday pick up, let us know and we'll make arrangements for you; contact us via our website or call us at 908-788-2030.
 
Wait until you see them!!! They are fabulous!  At $35.00 apiece for the high quality we are offering, they make very attractive gifts for the holidays.
 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Dave Bond & Chili! too hot to handle!

Dave Bond, south county star of stage and cds, is performing with his band Real Country, between 3 and 6 p.m. at the Chili Cookoff Contest.... Dave is singing songs from his new cd "Goin' Honky Tonkin."

We're fans.  Some of us have his very first cd -- autographed.

At the Hunterdon Agricultural and 4-H fair a couple of weeks ago, Dave was playing at 8 p.m. Fans had half of the seats filled before 7.  He and his band set up equipment and greeted his following.  Dave was showing the hurt from a hip that needs replacing.  Oh yeah -- surgery is scheduled a couple of days after he sings at the Chili Contest.  Why?  Because he said yes to supporting Hunterdon's 300th and put off surgery just to play for us on the 28th of September.

And that's the kind of person he is.  Dave's word is Dave's Bond.  And when he sings, it comes from the heart.  It comes from his roots.  It comes from his farm and the earth and land he loves. 

Hometown.  Old time.  Real Country?  Real Hunterdon.

http://www.hunterdon300th.org/fundraisers/ChiliCookoff-DaveBondBand.pdf

Monday, September 9, 2013

Chili Cookoff Countdown

On September 28th, the Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee is challenging all comers to a contest to prove who makes the best chili.  Open to the public, we have particularly reached out to our great First Responders and also Hunterdon's restaurants.  Various prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges, but everyone attending can vote for the "People's Choice" prize.

Here's what you get for your ticket price of $25:

A beautiful, HAND MADE sunflower bowl that has the 300th's logo on the bottom -- yours to keep after you've tasted a bucket load of chili;

A sample taste of every chili entered -- if you can last to try them all!

A vote on who made the best chili;

Hot dogs, roasted corn, watermelon;

TWO -- count 'em -- TWO live bands!!;

Line dancing lessons!

Beer available by the glass in our commemorative beer mug emblazoned with the 300th's logo.

Now THAT'S a party!

More about the bands, the contestants, and the party coming in future blogs.  Stay tuned!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Mission History: the 300th Hits the Schools

The Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee and the Hunterdon Board of Chosen Freeholders wanted the 300th to be many things to appeal to all of the Hunterdon residents regardless of age.  So we have planned a diverse celebration which will have something for everyone.  This includes dozens of lectures, events, tours, festivals, fireworks and a parade.

But of course, underlying everything is the history of our great county.

We are sure you would not be surprised to learn that most people in Hunterdon County, let alone the State of NJ, are aware that when Washington Crossed the Delaware he landed in Hunterdon County.  Even Wikipedia says Mercer. 

So the Hunterdon 300th figured we gotta getem while they're young!

Beginning this week, one of the Freeholders plus the County Administrator will begin making the rounds to each grammar school's 3rd and/or 4th grade "IN COSTUME" -- that is, in period 1714 attire with a Proclamation passed by the Board of Chose Freeholders challenging the students to become young historians and tasked with the project of doing credible research on a historical topic of their choice. 

A subcommittee of the 300th comprised of several county educators, various county superintendents of schools and the County Superintendent as well as the County Administrator and 300th volunteers comprise an Education group who wrote a curriculum that meets the State's Core Curriculum Standard that challenges and teaches our Hunterdon youth about Hunterdon's history in a very fun way.  An important component is the credible research that the young historians must do.  A number of adult Hunterdon Historians are available for help with that research.

If you visit our website at www.hunterdon300th.org you will see a new topic at the top of our home page called "Education."  Please visit that site to learn about the school project and the standards required of our students.  We hope this project makes these youngsters into citizens passionate about our county and its history. 

Friday, September 6, 2013

Who Will Challenge? Who Will Win?

They are rolling up their sleeves, preparing for one of the most competitive experiences of their lives.  At stake:  Reputation.  Honor.  Glory.  Bragging rights.
 
Our bravest men and women of Hunterdon -- our greatest and most selfless volunteers, the First Responders -- people who run into burning buildings, pull victims out of smoking vehicles and rescue those in need will now come face to face with each other and fight it out in public once and for all.
 
No sissy arm wrestling here!  No pulling weight with a tractor!  This is grit.  This is tough.  This is CHILI! 
 
You heard it right:  hot oil, bacon fat, ground beef and onions and the fire of jalapenos.
 
And it's not too late for YOU to enter... that's right -- you can compete against our Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads for the title of "People's Choice!"  Below you'll find the link to the Entry Form, the Rules and the Flyer.  Or you can just go to our website and view the Chili Cook-off fundraiser page.
 
Whether you want to cook or eat pots of homemade chili, September 28th will prove an event where every one is a winner.... some with prizes, but all with full bellies!




Chili Cook-off fundraiser page at:

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

A Great Day in the Country

Our Kick-off FUNdraiser is only 5 days away --

Spend a fun and yummy afternoon in the beautiful rolling hills of East Amwell at Unionville Vineyards, the 300th's Official Winery.

The afternoon promises to be a special one as you sample a flight of wine in our beautiful Hunterdon County 300th celebration wine glass and nibble on cheese and crudités provided by our super sponsor, Shop Rite of Hunterdon.  You'll have the opportunity to take a tour of the winery where Unionville's top flight team will let you taste wines not yet available to the public -- very special and EXCLUSIVE barrel tastings!

As you listen to great music provided by our DJ, you'll dine on tender pig roasted to perfection, with roasted new potatoes, salads and all the trimmings.  Settle down for a feast with the wine of your choice sold by the glass; or Unionville's very own Sangria; then feel free to dance the afternoon away.

As the afternoon cools to evening, a fire will be lit outside for us to roast marshmallows to a golden brown and make that confection perfection, the s'more -- chocolate melted by a hot marshmallow turned gooey set between two graham crackers.  And nothing goes better with chocolate than a glass of award winning port to sip as the sun sets.

A perfect late summer day in the country.

To reserve your seat at the special event to enjoy Pork to Port, please send a check for $40.00 per person payable to: The Hunterdon County Tricentennial Committee, and mail to: 3 Chorister Place, Flemington, NJ, 08822.

For further information or to pay by credit card, go to our website www.hunterdon300th.org and click on the From Pork to Port fundraiser.  You may safely pay by credit card through Unionville Vineyard's website.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Details of Our First Big Event

On Sunday afternoon, September 8th, join us at Unionville Vineyard for a great, late summer afternoon.

You will find yourself in the beautiful rolling countryside of East Amwell while you munch on appetizers followed by a roasted pig with all the trimmings while sipping a fine flight of wine, sampling and tasting Unionville Vineyard's award winning whites and red in a beautiful commemorative wine glass.  The wine glass is etched with the 300th logo and is yours to keep.

A DJ will play your favorites in the background as you stroll the vineyard, tour the winery and then enjoy a very special barrel tasting offered for the first time by our official winery of the 300th.

As the sun sets, a fire will be lit, and the marshmallows will come out as we roast them and make our own s'mores - a gooey, decadent marriage of toasted marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers.  One of the great accompaniments chocolate may have is that of port wine.  Unionville will offer glasses of their very special, highly award winning port at the fire pit as we watch the nature's spectacular show of orange and reds in the western sky.

To reserve your seat at the special event to enjoy Pork to Port, please send a check for $40.00 per person payable to: The Hunterdon County Tricentennial Committee, and mail to: 3 Chorister Place, Flemington, NJ, 08822.

For further information or to pay by credit card, go to our website www.hunterdon300th.org and click on the From Pork to Port fundraiser.  You may safely pay by credit card through Unionville Vineyard's website.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Fireworks and no-see-ums.

Yesterday morning's rain brought yesterday afternoon's mud to the Hunterdon Agriculture and 4-H Fair.  It also brought tonight's bugs!  Throngs of people came out to see the fireworks and walk the Fair in absolutely perfect weather.  But the gnats and mosquitos enjoyed the fair, too!  A few really smart people with forethought stopped by the Tricentennial table in the Community Services tent and purchased a "Bug Ban" for $3.00.  Our non-toxic writs band brandish a gold embossed 300th logo as well as a pleasant scent that mosquitos and gnats find unpleasant.  The wrist bands last up to 40 hours outside a sealed bag.  So you can purchase one, garden for a couple of hours or walk around the Fair and then seal it in a ziplock bag and reuse it over and over again.  Pick one up at the Fair tomorrow or Sunday.... it's great for the last barbeque weekends of Summer, fall clean up, or apple picking on a warm fall afternoon. 

Meanwhile, the 300th has our monthly Saturday morning meeting tomorrow morning -- we're making the big push to fill up and finalize the calendar for 2014, finalize our fundraisers in 2013 and start working on our March 22nd Birthday Parade!

  

Thursday, August 22, 2013

ExxonMobil Becomes Major Sponsor of 300th



Very exciting day today!  The Hunterdon County Tricentennial Committee was presented with a $25,000 check by ExxonMobil in Annandale.  Emil Jacobs, Ph.D., vice president of Research and Development for ExxonMobil, who presented the $25,000 check to Hunterdon County Tricentennial Committee Chair Marcia A. Karrow and Vice Chair Catherine McVicker, stated that “the variety of events, activities and lectures shows the depth of Hunterdon’s rich history and the commitment by the Tricentennial Committee volunteers to honor that history.  ExxonMobil and its predecessor companies have a long history in the County and we are very pleased to support Hunterdon’s major milestone.  The ExxonMobil Technology Center is proud to call Hunterdon our home.”    Jacobs was joined by Chuck Darnell, manager of Research and Development Support Services, Ken Del Rossi, manager of Process Technology and Jeff Morrison, business advisor for Research and Development Support Services.

Opened in 1983, the ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company Technology Center in Annandale pursues a wide range of research activities from basic science to advanced engineering.  Researchers, technicians and engineers are exploring the fundamental science behind next generation fuels and vehicles, developing new technologies to improve the safety and efficiency of ExxonMobil’s operations, and building new methodologies and capabilities to support these efforts.
 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Come See Our New Commemorative Woven Cotton Throw at the Fair!

If you have a chance this week, stop by the Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee's table in the Community Services tent at the Hunterdon Agricultural and 4-H Fair.  Not only do we have t-shirts and other items for sale, on display is a sample of our beautiful new woven throw.  The throw, made of 100% cotton here in the USA, displays 9 of Hunterdon's most notable historic structures and proudly lists all 26 of our municipalities.  The price is set right to move this great commemorative and practical blanket at just $35.00! and it comes in 3 great colors:  navy blue (on display), hunter green and cranberry. 

Don't forget to tell your friends and family to sign up for our blog or other favorite choice of social media on our website.  It will be the best way to get alerts for reservations and tickets to the dozens and dozens of events, activities, lectures and tours offered in 2014 for the 300th.

Spread the word!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

From Pork to Port Wine Tasting and Pig Roast FUNDRAISER - September 8th


Come and enjoy the delicious wine and pig roast at the Unionville Vineyards on Sunday, September 8th.

Unionville Winery will be hosting a wonderful fundraiser for the Hunterdon 300th Celebration. This event will include; a Wine Tasting, Winery Tour, Special Barrel Tasting and Pig Roast. The activities will begin at 4pm. Download Flyer here

Order Your Tickets On-Line ($40 per person to benefit the Hunterdon County 2014 Tricentennial Celebration)


Unionville Vineyards is located at:
9 Rocktown Road
Ringoes, NJ 08551
908-788-0400
www.unionvillevineyards.com