Tuesday, June 3, 2025

SEEN IN NEW HOPE


  I was long overdue for a visit back to my old stomping grounds of New Hope.  I swear, it really is like home. The Capitol Street Duo, the Lad and I caught up for the Pride festivities with many friends who floated in and out on Saturday, and we also caught up with Lumbersexual, who joined for a drink or 6. For you newer readers, New Hope is in Bucks County, a very colorful, eclectic and liberal river town. Quaint. Picturesque. Melting pot. It's right along the Delaware Canal where Washington crossed it in the Revolutionary War. Our distant relative Aaron Burr...yes that one.... also escaped there after his famous duel. Since then, there have been many colorful residents with homes there, Oscar Hammerstein II, Joan Rivers, Odette Myrtil, George Nakashima, James Michner, Dorothy Parker, Mike and Jan Berenstein, of the child books, and a slew of impressionist artist who came in when the town was a huge art and writers' colony. The late newscaster, Jessica Stavich also met her demise there when a bizarre accident happened with her car ending up in the canal, drowning her and a good friend. Of late, Bradley Cooper, Zayn Malik, Gigi Hadid and Tina Fey all have homes there, while in the past one never knew when the booze hound Elaine Strich would show up at the Raven with us gay boys...and boy did she liven up a place. I even had dinner one night at the Mansion Inn across from Hugh Jackman. I slipped him my number but alas, never heard back. I guess maybe my action of a blow job was too much? What made and still makes this town so unique is when the art colony arrived, later it blended with a large witchcraft colony who came to town... followed by a big LGBT community. It ends up like PBS, meets Queer as Folk, meets American Horror story.... what with all the American history, and it being one of the most haunted towns in the county. Though small, New Hope and its adjoining sister town of Lambertville, across the bridge in NJ, both towns' packs in a sophisticated collection of things to do. Art galleries, witch shops, to many eateries and bars to mentions, swanky B&B's, sex shops, and even the fun Bucks County Playhouse that has had some huge names perform there.... you can see why I miss this little spigot of land!!! here are some of the sights from New Hope. The signs always slay me.

Drag sister Estee Lauderdale in the parade.

More cock-a-tails at the Lambertville House

This reminded me of my glory hole days. Ahhh, the good ole days. I thank heavens I didn't need either of these offerings. For the Lad was with me.  

Unfortunately, at the dive bar Jon & Peters, I lost him to I think, was baseball on the tv, where he planted himself after the parade. We all watched a live band. I admit his backward cap got me hot. He never wears hats. I'm glad he enjoyed the game, because later that night I showed him what real talents a pitcher can deliver!!!

39 comments:

  1. I LOVE in New Hope! I always enjoy the signs all over town.

    This also answers why you all were hung over and the Lad was walking funny.

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  2. I would love New Hope. Sorry I never made it there. I always think I’ll go for a day when I’m in NYC but there’s never enough time. Thanks for the great photos. I never had glory (hole) days. I’m not complaining.

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    1. It amazing when I lived there just how many people I would hear say they were own just for the day from New York. And yes, glory holes are all fun and games till you get it stuck in one.

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  3. We really need to explore New Hope. I am so glad you had a great weekend.

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  4. Sometime in July my daughter and I are going up to New Hope. William and I always loved it there. One of the quirkiest and most colorful places I've been. Always loved it and it's so close to bug cities too. Have you ever toured George Nakashima 's place and studio? I think you featured it once. And yes, I'm old enough to remember the Jessica Stavich accident. Very bizarre.

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    1. Yes I have been to the Nakashima Studio as it was only mintues form the Casa du Borghese.

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  5. Cap Chasen6/04/2025

    "Abandon all hope ye who enter here" I wonder if the also hangs above the White House?

    Loved this post. I have read two different articles on New Hope, and I must say both were very interesting. What a history it has. Could your relative Aaron Burr be the reason your drawn to it?? It has had one of the most colorful pasts, and your right...many luminaries and famous living there and frequenting the town. With all its characters and history, I'm surprised a show has yet been made taking place there. I had several good gay friends who always talked of New Hope fondly before heading to gay beaches like Fire Island or Rehoboth. And how nice they have their own Pride. And if I may the Lad looks strapping.

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    1. Dear, there is no hope for the White House.

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  6. Sounds like a fab weekend! Happy Pride!

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  7. I dunno, glory holes never seemed like a thing to me; I would wonder who, or what, was on the other side?
    New Hope is such a quaint burg, and lovely that they rock it for Pride.
    And a hunky guy in a backwards cap watching baseball?? Batts??? Balls??? Yes please.

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    1. The pride is cool! I love when they walk the big, huge pride flag over the bridge. Arial shots I have seen look so cool to see it from above.

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  8. Baseball? Nice to see he has his priorities set.

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    1. And he is so good at handling my bat....and he always seems to be up for extra innings!

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  9. Oh, how fun!
    I must plan another visit to you and do something like this. We're going to Milwaukee for Pride there (three days!).
    XOXO

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    1. Don't do anything I wouldn't! I've never been to Milwaukee.

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  10. Pat Lark6/04/2025

    And, obviously, a good time was had by all!

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    1. Her name is "Maddie". Jx

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    2. "Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl
      With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to lay
      She would merengue, and do the cha-cha
      And while she tried to be a star, Tony always tended bar."

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  11. Looks like a helluva fun weekend! Clink, clink, sweetie... Jx

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  12. I was just in New Hope a couple of weekends ago! What a cute town. We walked across the bridge to Lambertville too. I fell in love with the place. We had dinner and drinks on the river and enjoyed walking around town.

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    1. Oh Michael that's so nice to hear! I get all excited when people experience New Hope For The First Time. When one goes out you just never know who you're going to see or what you're going to run into. And and whether it's fine dining or eating bar food in a dump, it's always a good time and I have yet to have something I didn't enjoy eating. One of my favorite places in New Hope is called Martine's , which is right along the river. Of course there's quite a few places that Overlook the river and they're all very good. I suspect you and probably enjoy their gay pride festivities. Thanks for stopping in.

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    2. Oh my gosh! We ate at Martine's!

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    3. LOL!!!! Love that place. The bartender there makes me the best Bees Knees I've had. I could down those all afternoon.

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  13. Anonymous6/04/2025

    Hoping you had a great time :)
    My gay uncle would go up to New Hope back in the 1950s and 1960s with his friends to relax and be themselves.
    His gay salons at his beautiful home in Devon were private social events, his gay friends all well dressed and bespoke. How he loved having me, my siblings and my cousins visit him for the Holidays in spite of disproving relatives.
    He would get a kick out of the gay pride events in New Hope and elsewhere today.
    Pan in Wynnewood

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    1. Thanks for popping in again Pam. I just LOVED living near New Hope in Doylestown...I miss it but know I'll return one day. Your uncle sounds like a good time. I bet you he had been many times to the Raven Resort! A legendary place for frolic and antics and famous for the pool and Sunday tea dances. I still can't believe the place is gone!

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  14. New Hope is the kind of place I need to visit. I'm sick of Florida.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I'll get your room ready dear....stay as long as you like.

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  15. What a quaint and historical place.

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  16. Never been to New Hope but it does seem quite appealing

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    1. Great place and no judgments. The Dump would hate the place.

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  17. I think I'd like it there.

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  18. I need another trip back to New Hope, before it's too late!!!! I so enjoyed that book you got me on New Hope. Filled with quips, characters and load with interesting history. I'd love to see the Dorothy Parker house.

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  19. What that bridge needs is a humungous Pride flag.

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    1. When I was there years ago for pride, the mistress I'm sure can confirm this, but the Marchers actually carry a 150 ft long flag across the bridge, before heading down through streets with it.

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  20. I miss that town. I'd love to come back and show the hubby the sites. That is...those outside of your bedroom!!! Great pictures!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!