Hackettstown Man Gets Role of a 'Wonderful' Lifetime

Dale Monroe takes the stage as George Bailey at Brundage Park Playhouse.

Bestselling Springsteen Bio Illustrated by South Jersey Photographer

Three of Palmyra resident Frank Stefanko's photos of Bruce Springsteen appear in a revealing new biography about the Boss.

Getting at what drives Bruce Springsteen has never been easy. But, a new biography by author Peter Ames Carlin digs as deep into the Boss’ psyche as any previous book has. Bruce, published Oct. 30 by Simon & Schuster, is already on the New York Times bestseller list. The 494-page book, written with Springsteen’s cooperation, has a South Jersey connection.  Palmyra resident Frank Stefanko shot three of the photos used in the book. Two of the pictures were shot at the former Shellow’s Luncheonette in East Camden in 1978. One shows Springsteen playing pinball as members of the E Street Band watch. The other is a group shot, with the entire band jammed around a booth.  The third photo, shot in 1982, depicts pre-superstardom Springsteen sitting…

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Teens Offer Tour of Hackettstown Library

YouTube video shows offerings from public facility.

Members of the Hackettstown Public Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) constructed a video earlier this year to give viewers a better sense of the public facility's offerings. The virtual tour, which can be seen on YouTube, explains the layout and sections of the library available to residents.  The three-minute video can be see in the attached YouTube video clip.

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Telethon to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Victims

The one-hour telethon will feature superstar celebrities, including Bruce Springsteen and Sting.

Americans are used to watching telethons for desperate and needy people around the globe. On Friday, a one-hour live benefit telethon featuring superstar guests will raise money for an issue close to home: the victims of Superstorm Sandy. Christina Aguilera, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Sting headline the event. “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together" airs from 8 to 9 p.m. on NBCUniversal networks. The Huffington Post reports that money raised will go to the Red Cross to help survivors with the baiscs—medical care, shelter, food. The live telethon will be hosted by NBC “Today” anchor Matt Lauer and broadcast from NBC studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The following channels will air the show: NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, …

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A Hurricane Sandy Playlist

Here are some storm tunes to keep you company during Sandy.

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Country Music Stars to Get Long Valley Gifts

Jessica Gattone's creations to be handed out at Country Music Awards.

Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton are just some of the stars of country music who will be handed a little something made by a Long Valley resident next week. The designs of Jessica Gattone, a graduate of James Caldwell High School, will be included in the official celebrity gift bags at the 46th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville.  Her white note cards feature a simple design of musical notes and birds and read: "music takes root in your soul and takes flight." Through her association with The Artisan Group, Gattone said her work has made it into the hands of Hollywood celebrities. “The artists participating through The Artisan Group created products specifically designed for the event and approved by the CMA …

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Upload Pics, Nominate Best Halloween House

Whether you prefer a not-so-scary Halloween party or a bone-chilling display we want you to upload your nominations!

It is that time of year once again, where seemingly overnight neighborhoods are transmogrified into spooktacular displays that mean only one thing: Halloween is approaching. And we here at Patch couldn't be more delighted. Everyone knows the house on the block that goes all out every year with their ghoulish display, and we want to see some of your favorites up on our site. Nominate yourself, your friends and neighbors and even total strangers. Simply snap a pic on your camera, cell phone or tablet and load them straight up to the story. Be sure to add your town name in the caption, too. Here’s how to enter: Simply click the green "Upload Your Photos and Videos" button above and upload your image (but first make sure you’re a registered …

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A Quintessential Springsteen Guide

'Bruce Springsteen FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Boss' hits bookstores Tuesday, Oct. 16

Westfield resident John D. Luerssen grew up listening to the music of Bruce Springsteen, getting his initial introduction on Tremont Avenue courtesy of a friend's older brother. Today, Luerssen, a PSE&G supervisor in Cranford by day, music critic and author by night, releases the paperback Bruce Springsteen FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Boss, his second foray into the FAQ series. With a list price of $22.99, the book, at 400 pages, takes readers on the journey of a Jersey boy with a guitar and a dream who rose to stardom, gracing the covers of Time and Newsweek simultaneously, yet never forgot his roots. Luerseen, who played in a band during his years at Westfield High School, explained that after having written several cover …

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Hackettstown Band Rocks 'America's Got Talent'

Reverse Order takes competition show stage after being voted on via YouTube.

The self-proclaimed rock band Reverse Order, of Hackettstown, spent a night on one of America's biggest stages Tuesday, performing in front of a live studio audience and millions of viewers with hopes of making it big. As a YouTube finalist given the chance to perform on "America's Got Talent," a reality-competition show, Reverse Order was one of 12 acts to take the stage and be judged by the show's evaluators including Howard Stern, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel.  The band, comprised of Cruise Russo, John Russo, Drew Katsock and Frank Spangler, performed a rock version of Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl." The judges weren't blown away, but agreed a little more time together as a band may be the missing piece to their success. Voting for…

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On Stage: Assassins, Henry IV, Lots More

Some popular shows are finishing their runs while new productions are getting ready to open

One week a bunch of new shows are opening, and before you know it, they're all getting ready to finish their runs. This weekend marks your last chance to see "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" by Chester Theatre Group, "Southern Comforts" by the Women's Theatre Co. and "The Crucible" at Brundage Park Playhouse. The curtain will also soon be coming down on Dover Little Theatre's "Company" and Chatham Community Players' "Cabaret." But new shows are on their way. "Assassins" opens at the Barn Theatre this weekend and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will open its new season next week with "Henry IV Part I." There are also plenty of concerts, comedy shows and family presentations to see. Read on to find out all about them. ON STAGE SCOOP: …

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