Bartender of the Week, Second Saturdays, and Much More in Frenchtown, NJ

I wanted to craft a post for this blog that captured so much of what I've been feeling this last month, especially because when Pete and I read notes like these that our Hotel guests leave us, we feel so proud of our staff, and even happier that we were able to provide a little respite and an escape to these guests who chose us over so many other establishments to spend some time away from home.

I've tried to carve out time to write, but as so many of us know, it's difficult not to be pulled away by so many demands that we have, so many things that happen that need immediate attention.  But not today.  Today I am determined to start and to finish this little post, because it's something that I do for myself.  It reminds me of the days when I used to keep a journal--does anyone remember doing that or keeping a diary?--when your thoughts put on paper seemed to make the world "right," seemed to help you sort through the chaos that might have been around you?  Now, through blogs, we can actually open the lock on that most hidden journal/diary that we used to keep, and allow our friends to share our thoughts, share our emotions, share the joy (or the angst) of our lives.  And I have quite a few things to share that you might find interesting:


Bartender of the Week: Frenchtown hotel and barBartender Donna Sampler works her magic at The National Hotel, 31 Race St. in downtown Frenchtown.

I'm so pleased to actually share the article (and webclips) that were featured in the Lehigh Valley newspaper and online publication that named our stellar bartender, Donna Jane Sampler, "Bartender of the Week".  It features Donna preparing a couple of great cocktails detailing the "how to's" for each.

And coming up on May 6th, The Book Garden will host an Author Appearance, featuring Mary Lou Quinlan of Bucks County, who will sign her newest book, The God Box:  Sharing My Mother's Gift of Faith, Love and Letting Go, 2 - 4 p.m.

With so many events being planned in town this spring and summer, we're sure to offer something for everyone who visits our town.  For instance, next weekend there will be a special exhibit by one of Frenchtown's art galleries, Dion Hitchings Outsider Gallery, featuring the theme of "Toys".  

Let's not forget about last year's delightful Second Saturdays, where the town brightened with music played outdoors in several locations, entertaining visitors and residents alike.  This kicks off on Saturday, May 12th, where the Jericho Mountain Grass (a bluegrass band) and the Mitchell Cheng Jazz Quarter will play from 6 - 8 p.m.

At The National Hotel, we have a long list of entertainers who will perform throughout this spring and summer.  Please check our website for up-to-date information.  For instance, beginning next weekend, put on your cowboy boots & best hat, because Mike Pfeiffer is getting ready to showcase a great night of Country Music downstairs in the Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat), on Saturday, May 5th, 9:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m., part of our Monthly Music Themed Night.  Make sure you wear your best Country-Western outfit, because there'll be prizes given out that night.

But looking back is sometimes as important as looking forward, and these last few weeks have been filled with incredible events that impacted the town itself through the work of these local not-for-profits.

I read the story about the Frenchtown, NJ woman who is the facilitator for the Monday Morning project focusing on the developmentally disabled, and was immediately reminded of the charitable work on which  the Frenchtown Lions Club embarks, raising money through member support and fundraisers.  They held their Casino Night Fundraiser at The National Hotel last month...I wanted to share these fantastic individuals' stories, their passion for helping those less fortunate around them.  These efforts by so many volunteers and by non-profits they serve, help the community at large--and often right here in our own backyard.  

Stoney!

I saw this on Saturday, when neighbors and residents of Frenchtown got together to clean up the Frenchtown Park behind the Pharmacy off Kingwood Avenue.  This is a great little park with a playground, a gazebo, a meeting place, with a creek that runs alongside it.  It can be a peaceful slice of time, and at other times, a wonderfully noisy, tumultuous area with little ones running around, playing on the see-saws and on the swing set, reminding all of us that there is so much joy in these simple activities--and in life in Frenchtown. 

 

We are surrounded by people who care, right here in Frenchtown.  It's that feeling of giving back, of knowing that you are part of something greater than yourself, and knowing that what you do matters in ever small ways that cumulatively make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable in our communities.  Thank you to our many volunteers, and to the organizations that raise funds to help those less fortunate!

As I walk along the streets that make up and bind this tight little Delaware River community, I feel so proud to be walking along with others, some clearly just visiting for the day or weekend, finding shop after shop lining Race Street, Bridge Street, and others, welcoming everyone who walks by.  Our strength is in our ability to be genuinely interested in our visitors and residents' experience.  I have had so many conversations with other business owners who all tell me that they feel incredibly blessed and fortunate to have found their niche in Frenchtown, to have discovered this little gem of a town that is just an hour and a half driving distance from New York City and from Philadelphia.  We're right at the center of major urban environments, and yet, oh so far.

As always, please continue to email us with your feedback, leave a comment on this blog, and stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by checking our website, calling us at 908.996.3200 or: 

      

 Thank you again.

New Menu to be Launched on March 20th, Celebrating 100 Nights of Open Mic Night, and Much More!

I saw her running down the street, and said to myself, "She's going to fall..."  No sooner said than done.  And I remember those days in New York City, seeing people running and rushing.  Don't get me wrong, I love that New York City is just about an hour and a half away from Frenchtown, NJ and The National Hotel.  It's a treat knowing that we're withing driving distance of New York City,NY,  Philadelphia,PA and Princeton, NJ.  But as I saw that woman getting out of a New York City taxi, frustrated at the garbage truck blocking the street, I knew that in her panic to not be late, something awful was about to happen.  She took off running, and I could predict what would happen--what with her numerous bags, designer boots, and unsure sprint down the street dodging dogs being walked, people looking down and clicking away on their smartphones...and then it happened:  She fell.  Typical New Yorker that she was, she just dusted herself off, put her bags on her shoulders and walked on--but she didn't run any more...

This whole episode came to mind as I walked down Race Street in Frenchtown, NJ, accompanying one of our overnight guests to the Delaware River Tow Path --our beautiful 70 mile-long walking and jogging path running parallel to the Delaware River, and running the length of the covered old train tracks--when I realized how fortunate I am to be able to share this beautiful little corner of the world with The National Hotel overnight guests and friends.

Courtesy of NJ Skylands Magazine

I was struck by the difference in the pace of our walk, actually able to greet passersby, to look at the beautiful shops' windows and see what was on display, and to take in the fact that the flowers have begun to bloom ever so early this year.  It is, after all, still winter.  But moreover, the fact that no one was running, no one was rushing.  Frenchtown defines tranquility.

 

But tonight, I think Frenchtown will put on its best Irish hat and celebrate St. Patrick's Day...after all, we're all a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day.  The National Hotel is pleased to welcome the Celtic Rebels Band who will entertain our patrons starting at 9 p.m. tonight, downstairs in The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a. The Rat).  We have our outdoor lights all set to shine brightly in green all night, while the music puts us all into our best "Irish state of mind."

Just before sitting down to click away and write this blogpost, I walked past our front porch this afternoon and had the opportunity to chat with a few of our guests who were enjoying some dishes from of our weekend Additions to the Menu on the porch.  It's been such a delightfully warm day, that it was a treat to see others enjoying the sun and warm temperatures while also relaxing on our beautiful front porch--the perfect spot to hold an enjoyable conversation with a friend, share a slow-paced afternoon with a friend or loved one.  And to my surprise, one table of friends had seen the article in dTown Magazine that featured The National Hotel as being voted for having the Best Burger in Frenchtown.  They were so kind and complimentary in how much they also loved the way that our burgers are prepared, and especially the ingredients used, from the Ground Black Angus Sirloin, to the maple-candied applewood bacon, to the sharp cheddar cheese, and even to the type of fresh-baked bun we feature.  What a joy to know that people really do care about how much effort our kitchen staff, led by Executive Chef Lisa Frederick, puts into supporting local and sustainable farmers, while bringing to the table each and every day the very best of the best.  And just wait until next week, when we launch our NEW spring menu!  It's going to be a new savory way to enjoy dish after dish.  Go to our website starting next Tuesday, to see what we've done, and drop by The National Hotel to see this first hand beginning Tuesday, March 20th.

Speaking of the best of the best, we saw this just last week, on the 8th of March too, when it was our weekly Open Mic Night friends who showed us what The National Hotel means to them--they brought the best of the best talent in our area to our door, and helped us celebrate the 100th night of our weekly Open Mic Night program.  And what a night of fun it was.  We've uploaded quite a few videos from that night and hope you'll visit our YouTube channel to take a look at some of the stellar performances.  We had one patron, Kevin Gilson, who together with Chris O'Sullivan, treated us to his rendition of an homage to The Rathskeller Pub, thanking Alex Wolfson for bringing this program to The National Hotel, and letting us know how much this program means to our community.



The night was a wonderful way to let off some steam, to enjoy the creative energy of our local artists--some who traveled over an hour and a half to participate in that night's special program--and all of us in attendance, to share in an absolutely sizzling night, escaping the fast pace of the work week, and putting the joy back in our lives.  Frenchtown can do this.  Frenchtown offers a release of energy, an avenue for creative pursuits, while also the opportunity to find serenity and tranquility.

And that is often what so many of us crave.  How many times have our lives sailed past us where we are just "along for the ride?"  I could be wrong, but it feels as though given half the chance, many of us would choose tranquility, space, and beautiful surroundings over the fast-paced life.  Of course, work "gets in the way" of so much that we want to accomplish--or it is the means by which we will be able to accomplish our goals.  We can all aspire to at the very least, enjoy the work we do.  But when it comes to spending a day or more in Frenchtown, NJ, you'll see how many people who work there also find absolute fulfillment in their lives, while balancing their lives with the joy of what this pristine area offers.  From new preserved land for the outdoor enthusiast, to the beauty of the Delaware River--be it kayaking, canoeing, or tubing--to cycling winding country roads, to visiting the unique shops and galleries that line the small town's main downtown streets, to enjoying the day and being greeted by people walking down the street, there's something for everyone in Frenchtown.

We feel an absolute pride knowing that our guests to this little area can put their worries aside, forget the pressures that suffocate their daily lives, and help rejuvenate them during their visit, carrying over to their return trip back home.  We hope you will make the time to visit us in the near future, so you too can experience all that Frenchtown, NJ and the surrounding towns have to offer.  Call us with any questions at 908.996.3220, or email me directly.  Both Pete and I always enjoy hearing from so many of you, and having the opportunity to meet you when you have the time to stop by The National Hotel.

As always, please continue to stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by checking our website, calling us at 908.996.3200 or: 

      

 Thank you again.

FEBRUARY IS A GREAT WINTER MONTH WITH VALENTINE'S DAY, FAT TUESDAY, & MORE!

Now that 2012 is in full swing, we are inspired by some wonderful write-ups in the press, including articles in the Star-Ledger, Bucks County Herald, and the Hunterdon Democrat.  Not only are they complimentary about the town of Frenchtown, but they really covered the exquisite charm and unique “feel” of the town itself, as well as the historic quality of The National Hotel and how it is central to so much that happens in Frenchtown, NJ.

The entire area of Hunterdon County, NJ is filled with history—and we’re fortunate that Frenchtown is one of the towns that exemplifies life near the Delaware River.  I saw an article in The New York Times today that showcased an event that had the whole nation riveted in 1935, when the Lindbergh Baby Trial was the “news of the day”—and the court handling the case was in our own backyard, in Flemington, NJ.

And just like we honor these historic events, today there is a rebirth in our area of and an appreciation for old-world craftsmanship, attention to detail, and hand-made goods.  I can honestly say that Frenchtown is by far one of the most progressive towns in our area, and perhaps even in the tri-state area.  With shops that provide that sparkle of wonderment that visitors crave, galleries that allow one to peruse artwork and artisan crafts without pressure, and restaurants and cafés that offer myriad visitors and residents a chance to unwind, enjoy great food, and partake in honest discussions about current events, Frenchtown is an absolute gem.  And now there’s an even easier way to get to town, by following the new sign that was placed last month in Pittstown, to make sure travelers know where to turn and find the fastest route to Frenchtown. 

Even on a rainy day the sign stands out!

As our colorful neighbors like to say, “All roads lead to Frenchtown.”  And that’s not conceit or grandiose thoughts about the town, but rather a wishful statement that everyone should have the opportunity to visit Frenchtown at least once in their lives, because the community that resides in town, as well as the business owners that are residents and those who have become “adopted” residents of the town, are sure to make an impression.  Between the welcoming smiles, the energy that abounds, the calming sounds that the Delaware River delivers, and the majestic views of the area from preserved park land and the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge, Frenchtown is well-positioned to be an area destination.

It goes without saying that Pete and I are proud that our little establishment is an integral part of a traveler’s visit to town.  With ten guest suites, each different and unique, a Restaurant & Bar on premises, as well as a community favorite, The Rathskeller (a.k.a., The Rat) where so many programs entertain and provide a respite from daily life, The National Hotel is the area “late night destination” and a culinary treat for our dining guests.  Our Executive Chef, Lisa Frederick, has created a Valentine’s Day menu that is just out of this world.  From lobster to filet mignon, and everything in between, the Valentine’s Day menu (a la carte instead of the prix fixe many restaurants feature, giving you the freedom to choose and mix as you please), is as pleasing to the palate as it is to the eyes, especially when you pair your lunch or dinner choices on the 14^th of February with incredible wine selections, or our Valentine’s Day cocktail, the “Smooch” (Chambord Vodka, Domain De Canton Liqueur, Champagne & Lime juice). 

And of course, we’ve planned a great musical night for you tomorrow!  The Wallace Brothers will be the featured entertainment.  They're a folk country group that appeal to a wide audience, including those who enjoy bluegrass, jazz, comedy, rock, R&B, and everything in between.  Join us tomorrow from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. in The Rat, where you can cozy up to the wood-burning fireplace and listen to some wonderful music.

Photo courtesy of Minette Reading (w/Mike Pfeiffer)

February is a month chock-a-block with music.  We still can’t get over how many people turned out on Saturday, February 4^th for our monthly theme music night, when Mike Pfeiffer played 70s music late into the night—over three and a half hours straight without taking a break!!—and where several of our patrons took the “stage” with Mike, played the tambourine and sang so many of the songs we all remember.  We’re already making lots of plans for our March program, when we’ll feature a night filled with the sounds from the 80s.  Now that’s going to be a fantastic night—especially if our record of having our patrons don period clothes continues.  Do you remember the clothes and make-up of the 80s?  We do!!

But that’s not all…we have Fat Tuesday on the horizon first.  We’ll be celebrating Mardi Gras that night with Rainbow Fresh—oh yes, Rainbow Fresh!!!—one of our most requested bands every year.  And we’ll follow that with a Cajun-inspired Additions to the Menu weekend at the end of next week, because it can’t be Fat Tuesday without thinking about the Big Easy and all the fun that happens in New Orleans.  Bring your beads on Tuesday and come out to party at The National Hotel.  We’ll have a table waiting and great food and drinks to make the work day melt away, followed by Rainbow Fresh.  Now that’s something to get excited about!

As always, please continue to email me with your comments, or post a comment below.  Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by checking our website, calling us at 908.996.3200 or: 

      

 Thank you again.

STARTING 2012 BEAUTIFULLY & PLANNING AHEAD FOR FEBRUARY 2012

I'm happy to share that we now have an easier way for you to find us on facebook!!  We've created an easy username:  www.facebook.com/thenationalhotelnj.  And voila!  That's it.  You can stay up-to-date on everything we do!!

As we near the end of the first month of the new year, Pete and I have had numerous conversations about how grateful we are to have such tremendous support from our patrons.  Last month I wrote on this blog about so much that happened in 2011, locally and around the world.  As we start 2012, I'm confident that our little establishment, The National Hotel, will continue to show our old friends and the new friends we'll make this year, that Frenchtown, NJ is a wonderful and quaint Delaware River town.  Wonderful, because it is the perfect little hidden gem, offering unique shops, many with attention to every detail and offering hand-made items.  Quaint, because you'd be hard pressed to find another small town that honors tradition, embraces change, and elevates everyone associated with it, while keeping its finger on the pulse of residents, businesses, and visitors alike.  But don't take my word for it, read about it yourself in an article that appeared in the Hunterdon Democrat earlier this month.

At The National Hotel, we have a lot planned already for 2012.  Let's start with our upcoming monthly music theme night, where on Saturday, February 4th, Mike Pfeiffer will help us get into a dy-no-mite mood filled with 70s music.  Prizes will be given all night, including one for the best 70s-inspired threads.  Special drinks will be mixed by our talented bartender, Donna Jane Sampler starting at 8 p.m. in The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat), followed by live music, 9:30 p.m. onward.

And that's just the beginning.  We have a month of February filled with special programs--some that you've asked for, and others that we just couldn't wait to bring back:

• February 14th -- VALENTINE'S DAY, featuring the Wallace Brothers Band in the Rat (7 - 11 p.m.)
• February 21st -- RAINBOW FRESH - Fat Tuesday (8 p.m. onward).
• February 23rd -- Cajun Food Weekend (in honor of Fat Tuesday, February 21st)

Our regular weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly programs are still on the calendar for 2012, including our Tuesday Bi-Weekly Trivia night, our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, our weekly Saturday Live Music series, and our weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon series.

If you've had our burgers, you know how good they are.  Help us spread the word by voting for The National Hotel that is participating in "the Big Cheese" search for NJ's Best Burger contest.  It's been extended until the end of the month, but don't wait, please...we thank you in advance!

We're also well on our way with planning our weekly Additions to the Menu.  This weekend we have so many wonderful dishes that there's something for everyone.  From the Pheasant Stew (Beer-braised Pheasant, winter vegetables in a stew with a butter pastry dough), to our Grilled Steak & Crab Fritters (10 oz. Skirt Steak grilled to your liking with 2 crab fritters over a sweet potato hash), to Panner & Lotus Root Fritters (Paneer Cheese, crunchy lotus root with Indian spices over a creamy cashew saffron sauce), to so much more.  Keep checking every Thursday night to see the weekend Additions to the Menu.

We've received some wonderful compliments from our hotel guests (as well as our frequent--and even our new--Restaurant and Bar dining guests).  One recent review  from a New York resident who stayed with us was so candid and filled with high praise, that I wanted to share it with you:

"I took my husband here for his birthday and we had a great time. We took the Loft suite and I told the General Manager Marlon the room looked better in person than on the website. What I love about our room [is that] we had a separate entrance so it seems more personal...We ate in the dining area and the bar and the food was delicious. If you need a place to stay where the area is quiet this is the place." 

Pete and I have thoroughly enjoyed our wonderful new friends that we've made at The National Hotel, as well as the old friendships we've been fortunate enough to reinforce, in great part because of the easy and elegant--yet inviting--atmosphere at The National Hotel (not to mention the casual atmosphere of The Rat with our woodburning fireplace to keep the winter blues outside & the fun inside).  Having these friends join us at The National Hotel lends itself to enjoy in-depth conversations, feeling free to share opinions, dreams, aspirations, and even the challenges being faced at any particular time.  It's a wonderful little Delaware River town, filled with some of the most creative people we've had the pleasure to meet, and The National Hotel itself is a wonderful old historic establishment that welcomes all who step through its doors.  Our patrons are incredibly supportive and wonderfully active in our music and arts programs.

But as 2012 establishes its pace in all our lives, I feel compelled to once again share how absolutely wonderfully blessed we are to have such wonderful and talented people working at The National Hotel.  Each one brings his or her own flair to add to the chemistry of the establishment, and it is thanks to each and every one of them, from the wait staff to our kitchen staff, to our talented executive chef, Lisa Frederick, and to our wonderful "unofficial mayor" of Frenchtown, our very own general manager, Marlon Aranha, that we are able to bring to the table the fabulous dishes, serve delectable cocktails and wine and liquor choices, as well as provide exceptional service on the hotel side, with guest suites that have our overnight guests leaving beautiful hand-written notes to us as to the fantastic service, and restful night's sleep.  I truly walk into this historic building each and every time feeling like I'm home.  I know Pete echoes this sentiment, and with the hours he keeps there, it really is his home away from home.  Thank you for all you've done to help us get to this point.  Here's to an even better 2012!

Please continue to email me with your comments, or post a comment below.  Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by checking our website, calling us at 908.996.3200 or:

      

 Thank you again.

2011 IS ALMOST OVER...SO MUCH TO REMEMBER & SO MUCH AHEAD!

Is it possible that 2011 is actually coming to an end?  Is it possible that in just 13 days, we'll be saying "good-bye" to a tumultuous year?  It's been a year where locally we shared so many good moments, warm toasty nights in our cellar pub, The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat), listening to night after night of great music, where we were entertained by wonderful musicians who perform during our weekly Sunday musical afternoon series, including our most recent performer, Carol Thompson, who played the harp and wowed everyone present, and absolutely got us all into the holiday spirit early in December.  What a treat to know that when she has time, she has even made a surprise appearance during our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, packing in the local residents as well as as our hotel overnight guests.  

And there's so much more in store.  Today there was People's Poetry in The Rat, where local poets and those who like to listen to poetry, came out to support each other and enjoy an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping or weekend catch-up agendas.  Next Friday we'll feature Mike Pfeiffer's monthly theme music nights, where he'll kick off the night after 9 p.m. performing Christmas songs that will help us all unwind and get us in the right frame of mind to welcome in the holidays.  And this will follow (and coincide with) the celebration of Hanukkah, where we'll light the candles and rejoice during these 8 days and Festival of Lights beginning on the even of the 20th.  Our Frenchtown community is always so supportive of our programs and always help us come up with new ideas.  We even started a bi-weekly Friday night dance series, where our wonderful Rathskeller bartender, Donna Jane Sampler, has created terrific dance tracks for all to enjoy.  And don't forget about our bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia too.  That night never disappoints, thanks to Russ Coen and our General Manager, Marlon Aranha's continued dedication to coming up with incredible questions that truly challenge and entertain us.

We hope you'll make the time to enjoy these days with us.  We've even come up with a special Christmas Eve menu for the weekend, where we'll have items such as Seven Fish dinner for two, Lobster Risotto, and more.  Check our menu page for the Additions to the Menu later this week to see the full menu.

2011 has been a year where worldwide events brought us closer to neighbors thousands of miles away; where we learned of the passing of icons such as Steve Jobs, who helped make music more accessible and instantaneously attainable for millions; where we witnessed the attempted assassination of

Photo by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' office via Getty Images

Congresswoman Giffords; where we learned about the last day of Osama Bin Laden's life; where we witnessed in real time the protests in the Middle East and the awakening of the Arab Spring; where we learned that our troops would soon come home (and in fact, early this Sunday morning we saw that the last American convoy left Iraq) and made its way down the highway in what the Army called its last "tactical road march" according to CNN;

Courtesy of CNN

Photo courtesy bbc.co.uk

where we mourned the death of hundreds that quickly rose to the thousands with so many missing, in Japan after the March tsunami and 8.9-magnitude earthquake; where we saw the suffering through piercing images in the media after the earthquake in Turkey; where our hearts poured out for all of our neighbors in the Southern states that suffered through the devastating tornadoes;

Photo courtesy of abcnews.go.com

where we celebrated the fairytale marriage of a Prince and a commoner--and couldn't stop watching the ceremony that went off without one hiccup...even the rain held off for the open horse carriage to deliver the newlywed royal couple to Buckingham Palace; and let's not forget, it's the year where thousands of fans of reality TV watched glued to the television the marriage that was to outdo the royal wedding:  Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries marriage that lasted only 72 days.  Will we ever recover?

But as close as we felt to these moments of suffering, of sadness, of joy, of pure comic relief, we also experienced similar moments right here in our own backyard.  Let's not forget that Hunterdon County, NJ and Bucks County, PA suffered through the flooding and loss of power following Hurricane Irene's short visit to the US.  And, in recent memory is the snow and ice storm of October 29th, that in one night forced residents to stay home, make alternate Halloween plans (or cancel them altogether), try to stay warm with the loss of electricity, and forced neighbors out of their homes to take refuge with friends and family.  Many were without power for more than a week.  But from this tragedy, and from that from across the globe, we've seen proof of our capacity to help those around us, we've seen true humanity coming out without asking.

Non-profits from around the world have done what they could to help those most affected.  Those on the ground already in place, have been the most effective, but there are those "random acts of kindness" that I have personally seen that have impressed me more than any other year.  I've seen strangers helping others--I've even seen a New York City parking officer NOT give out a ticket to a taxi driver who had gotten out of his cab to get a street cup of coffee.  He explained what happened & the officer put away the pad and walked on.  Amazing!  Pete and I also saw the creation of a fantastic new park that preserves land forever, right here in our own backyard.  300+ acres were officially preserved this year, abutting 200 acres of preserved open space to the south and 300+ acres of preserved farmland and open space to the north, ensuring green space for generations to come, with some of the best vistas of the Delaware River, nature, and wildlife.  It took years to create, but boy, is it worth it!  Thank you to the people involved with the Hunterdon Land Trust Association for all their hard work.  I've also seen community get together and plan on the best way to create a dog park in Frenchtown, rallying support, raising funds, and motivating neighbors to get involved.

How appropriate to continue to learn of stories like these during this holiday time.  As we approach the holidays, whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, or other holidays, we wish you much happiness, health, and prosperity, along with much joy during the approaching start of 2012.  As you plan ahead for the month of December, please remember that although the hotel is open for overnight accommodations, the Restaurant & Bar and the Rat are closed on Christmas Day.  Do continue to email us your comments and feedback...they are truly helpful...or just leave a comment on this page.  Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by:

      

You've made such a tremendous difference in our lives, and from all of us at The National Hotel, Pete and I want to extend to you our most sincere wishes for many days of happiness and wonderful experiences that will create many memories for years to come.

NOVEMBER PROMISES TO BE A GREAT MONTH AT THE NATIONAL HOTEL

As we prepare for tonight's celebration of The National Hotel's 2nd anniversary since it opened its doors in 2009, we couldn't be more pleased than to discover that this day  falls on one of our favorite nights of the week, Thursday Open Mic Night, that always brings us all together in our beloved Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a. the Rat)--and some of our very first patrons entered this historic building through the doors of the Rat!!!  All Open Mic Night performers will be welcomed tonight by Pete, who will buy you a beer.  Check our facebook fanpage for more information later today.



And mark your calendars for the launch of our monthly theme nights, Saturday, November 12th, 9:30 p.m. onward,  featuring Mike Peiffer with an all 60s music performance.  Prizes will be given out, including BEST 60s COSTUME.  Come with 60s music requests for Mike, bring some friends and stay a while.  And if you're done with costumers after this Halloween, just come as you are and have a great night at the Rat.  We'll post updates on our facebook page as we get closer to November 12th, or our Rathskeller page on our website for more information on this or other upcoming events (such as November 19th's music program featuring the Road to Ruin, and December's theme).

There's just so much that is on the horizon at The National Hotel, but we're still getting over October.  It's been a whirlwind!  Between the events planned during the entire month by the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association (FBPA), featuring extended shopping hours, in-store events, raffles, and our very own 2nd annual Halloween costume and music party at the Rat, it's been a month-long celebration of this beautiful time of year.

[photos courtesy of Tina Perrotta]

And yet, I temper that with the knowledge that there are so many of our Frenchtown and area neighbors who are still without electricity, all caused by Saturday's storm.  It was a storm that almost forced us to close down, because the roads were just too dangerous to traverse.  It was our loyal patrons who insisted that we stay open to help everyone forget about the elements outside while they celebrated and danced throughout the night, giving a warm welcome to one of our favorite bands, Rainbow Fresh, and what a night it was!  People stayed until closing time, prizes were given out for best costume, and many patrons offered to shelter those around them who were still without power.

We saw this again just two nights ago at The National Hotel, as Russ Coen and our General Manager, Marlon Aranha, hosted the 25th night of our bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia.  It was a night that allowed everyone to forget the daily grind, challenge themselves, and have an absolute blast.  As one of our participants shared that night, "This has to be the best way to deal with what the storm left for me in my yard and at home. It's a little getaway for the mind."  Call us at 908.996.3200 for more information on the next installment--it's totally open to the public, come by yourself or with friends, join a group, or create your own team.  You're sure to have fun.

Hopefully, these types of programs will allow our patrons to have the opportunity to have a night out--a distraction even, from everything they're facing--that can re-energize their spirits.  It's certainly been a tricky few days with local schools only reopening yesterday.  And many children were not picked up by the school buses, because of fallen trees or roads that are still difficult for a bus to navigate.  But the resilient spirit of our residents continues to shape the character of these children, as friend and neighbor goes out of his/her way to help one another.  Through this trying ordeal, the humanity of our community is truly evident and inspiring.  Thank you to all of you who have checked-in on us and continue to make us feel a part of your lives and of the community.


As you plan ahead for the month of November, please remember that although the hotel is open for overnight accommodations, the Restaurant & Bar and the Rat are closed on Thanksgiving Day.  Do continue to email us your comments and feedback...they are truly helpful...or just leave a comment on this page.  Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by: