What famous author started his writing career in Plainfield, New Jersey and went on to create popular detective fiction characters such as Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin?

Issue #2 – September 2025

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Get ready for a spellbinding month in Queen City Plainfield—packed with haunting happenings, festive gatherings, and all the thrills you need to kick off the spooky season!

1. Queen City Reads Festival

• 📅 Date: Sunday, October 5 · 2 - 6 pm EDT. Doors at 1:45 pm

• 📍Location: Plainfield Performing Arts Center (PPAC)

      724 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 0706,0, United States

• 🎟️ Admission: Free? (check local listings)

• Details: Celebrate literature and community at Plainfield’s annual festival featuring author talks, readings, and family-friendly programming.

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2. Lenny Cathcart House Music Festival

• 📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025

• 🕒 Time: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Cedar Brook Park, Plainfield, NJ

• 🎟️ Admission: Free (community event)

• Details: Join a full day of house music, fun, and community vibes in the park—groove under the sun and stars!──────────────────────────────────────────

3. Plainfield Performing Arts Center: Hispanic Heritage Festival

• 📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025

• 🕒 Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• 📍 Location: Plainfield Performing Arts Center, 724 Park Ave, Plainfield, NJ

• 🎟️ Admission: Not specified

• Details: The City of Plainfield is hosting an event at the PPAC—details are pending, but worth marking your calendar for an evening of arts or performance.

Halloween Mystery Box Giveaway! Subscribers get early access to win a box full of candy, spooky décor, and a chilling surprise. Keep an eye on your inbox to enter!

Heroes from Hope 4 Paws Rescue Animals Amid Devastating Flooding in Plainfield, New Jersey

Severe flooding in Plainfield, New Jersey, put the Hope 4 Paws Humane Society in grave danger as rising waters quickly filled the shelter, threatening the lives of the animals inside.

Director, staff, and volunteers risked their own safety, navigating dangerous, debris-filled waters to reach animals with water up to their chests.

Thanks to their bravery, every animal was rescued and relocated to safe, higher ground.

However, the shelter suffered catastrophic damage, with nearly 9 feet of water destroying the basement—ruining food supplies and the boiler—and inflicting serious harm on the first floor’s structure.

In the aftermath, community support has surged, with generous donations of supplies and essentials pouring in.

Hope 4 Paws now seeks additional monetary contributions and encourages local families to adopt pets in need, highlighting the enduring spirit and unity of Plainfield in times of hardship.

Elma's Kitchen: A Culinary Gem in Plainfield's Evolving Landscape

Elma’s Kitchen stands out in downtown Plainfield, New Jersey, as a beloved hub for authentic Jamaican and Caribbean dishes.

Locals flock here for favorites like oxtail, curry goat, jerk chicken, and savory sides including rice and peas or sweet plantains.

Classic beef patties, BBQ chicken, and satisfying vegetarian options round out the menu, served in generous portions at budget-friendly prices.

Although the cozy dining room could use an update and pickup delays sometimes occur, Elma’s winning flavors and welcoming vibe keep customers coming back.

The restaurant thrives as Plainfield undergoes revitalization, highlighted by its recent Main Street New Jersey District designation.

New developments like Netherwood Flats apartments and the modern CVS Pharmacy reflect the city’s growth, yet Elma’s Kitchen remains a cherished anchor, offering soulful cooking that celebrates Jamaican heritage.

The Boy and the Halloween Wolf

On Halloween night, young Ethan dressed as a pirate, eager for an adventure under the light of grinning jack-o’-lanterns and a glowing full moon.

As he neared the last house, a mysterious howl echoed from the woods, sending a shiver down his spine.

From the darkness, a large wolf appeared—not fierce, but with sad eyes and a tiny pumpkin necklace.

Instead of running, Ethan bravely shared his candy, and the wolf gratefully accepted, touched by the pirate’s kindness.

The wolf’s paw prints lit Ethan’s way home, reminding him that the scariest sights can sometimes hide gentle souls longing for friendship.

Across the country, communities celebrate the season with Howl-O-Ween events—like those at Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary in Texas and California Wolf Center—blending fun, learning, and compassion for wolves.

Kindness, it turns out, is the sweetest treat of all.

Thanks for joining us in the second issue of The QueenCityBeat! As the autumn chill sets in, let the magic of community and Halloween spirit carry you through September. Forward this newsletter to friends—let’s grow the frightful fun together!

Rex Stout