Cranford Radio

Emilio DiFabio's first line in a performance was "Chop the tree." Since that inauspicious beginning, Emilio's roles have become much more noteworthy. Most recently, he plays the role of the coroner in American Trash. While being an actor is his latest adventure, he continues working at his company, DiFabio Construction.On this week's podcast he talks about how he became involved in acting but also about his Cranford-based firm.

When you stop to think about it we're pitching all the time. It might be something informal, such as telling a friend about a great restaurant they should try. Sometimes the stakes are higher. You want a potential customer to buy your product or service or you're hoping to convince investors to finance your business idea. Lori Stahl Liegeois has spent a career crafting pitches. Now she and her business, The Pitch Collective, are helping others refine their abilities to create effective pitches for their own businesses. Lori is my guest on this week's Cranford Radio podcast.

It's been less than a year that Cranford Neighbors has been published. In that time, the magazine has featured a number of families in town. They come from a variety of backgrounds but they all have wonderful stories to tell.The man behind the publication is Pete Coates. The periodical also includes day trips, recipes and more and it's made possible by area businesses which advertise in the monthly.This week I turn the tables on Pete and showcase his story and how Cranford Neighbors came to be. 

In the 1980s Karen Coburn was attending Cranford High School. Some of her friends and their families had become involved with The People of Hope, a Catholic covenant community. Many years later, after moving to Los Angeles, Karen became interested in what happened to the group and those from Cranford who became a part of it. That interest led to an eight-episode podcast series called Shadow of Hope. Karen is my guest on this week's episode to discuss the group and her podcast. 

Given the many Cranford residents who claim some Irish heritage, it might be surprising to learn that there's never been a St. Patrick's Day parade in town. That changes on March 16 when the community's first such parade will kickoff at 1 pm at the Community Center and wind it way down Walnut and North Union avenues. Two of the people behind the march are Mayor Terrance Curran and Barry O'Donovan. Barry is the former owner of Kilkenny House. I interviewed Barry in 2014.A number of businesses and individuals are sponsoring the festivities. Cougar Headquarters is selling merchandise to help deck you out.I speak with Barry and Terry on this week's Cranford Radio podcast.

July will mark the second anniversary of the start of the Rev. Marc Vicari's pastorate at St. Michael Church. The Cranford assignment is just one of a number of roles Father Marc has had during his ministry. These include campus ministry, working for the Newark Archdiocese, and teaching.On today's episode I speak with Father Marc to learn more about his background, including his years growing up in New Jersey, his time as a student at Seton Hall University and a return to campus to study for the priesthood at the Immaculate Conception Seminary.     

In the early 1980s a new, little understood disease was primarily affecting two marginalized groups of people; gay men and intravenous drug users. The deadly ailment which, at the time, had no known treatment, sparked widely varying reactions.Angels in America looks at the AIDS crisis in New York City in the mid 1980s. Cranford Radio spoke with five people involved in the Cranford Dramatic Club production; Michael Kidney (director), Richard J. Colonna (Roy Cohn), Molly Reinhardt (Harper Pitt), Corey Chichizola (Prior Walter) and Aaron Hancock (Belize).The play will run weekends from February 14 through March 1. Tickets are available online and at the box office on performance days.

Lori Talbot grew up in Cranford and shortly after graduating college returned to town to start a 33-year career as a teacher at Hillside Avenue School.Since retiring she's found new opportunities to use her creative skills as a columnist and content creator. She writes a monthly column for Cranford Neighbors and also has a presence on Facebook and Instagram under Life with Lori. She also works for New Jersey Blood Services, something that grew out of two deeply personal life experiences where her late husband and her daughter received blood transfusions as they battled health issues. On January 30, there is a blood drive in Garwood in honor of her husband, Bob Talbot.

You know that voice. That thought you just can't shake or the one you know is there but you just can't quite hear what it's saying. Cranford resident Carly Berger Nguyen decided to listen to that voice after the birth of her children and leaving her job in the fashion industry. It led to her starting her life coaching and mindset business, Little Voice Big Matter.Many of her clients are mothers such as herself. She helps them find that place in their lives that brings balance and fulfillment. In addition, she writes a blog which addresses many issues people confront.On this Cranford Radio episode I chat with Carly about her business, the issues she often hears from clients, and a bit about her own journey.

For most of Richard Brown's adult life he has had a passion for repairing the world. In his case, that has largely involved addressing homelessness. In recognition of his work, the Cranford Clergy Council and the Cranford Interfaith Human Relations Committee has decided to present this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Award to Richard.In this week's episode I chat with Richard about his efforts and how he and his late wife, Jan, have made a difference. The award will be presented at the community's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Commemoration. It takes place at Calvary Tabernacle at 69 Myrtle Street at 7 pm on Thursday, January 16.

Many people in Cranford have attended a play or musical in New York City. While you see the performers on stage there's a lot you don't see that makes the show possible. Cranford resident Christy Ney has worked extensively in theater including stints with the Tony Award-winning Side Man, the first national tour of The Lion King and 14 years in the New York City production of Wicked.Today, she teaches, does free lance work as a stage manager (and more), and is involved with the arts community in Cranford.

Calvary Lutheran Church will host this annual event the evening of Thursday, December 19. The event is organized by the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council. One of the leaders of the organization, Rev. Carmine Pernini, the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway, spoke with me about the event.

As sung in one of the signature songs from the musical, the next Cranford Dramatic Club production is a "tale as old as time." However familiar this story may be, there will still be some surprises as the CDC presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast in December.Cranford Radio spoke with three of the cast members, Avamichelina Hodgens (Belle), Zach Love (Beast) and Sean Lynch-Littlejohn (Lumier) to get a sneak peak at the musical.

The Cranford Public Library's current building opened in 1962. While the main library has expanded over the years, the children's room has basically maintained the same footprint. That's going to be changing. Starting in the new year, construction will begin on an expansion of the children's room. Joining me on this week's podcast is Kathy Cannarozzi, the director of the Cranford Public Library. We talk about how the library will change, the funding and the schedule.Additional information on library expansion

If you're old enough to remember the late 1990s you may recall the hype and excitement about the dawning of the internet age. Some predictions came true, other promises fizzled. Today, artificial intelligence is having a similar moment. For this week's episode I turned to Google's NotebookLM. I uploaded articles about me from The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as a piece I wrote and presented on CBS Mornings. The results are amazing and scary. You have to listen carefully to realize these are AI-generated hosts.

Narcan, generically known as naloxone, is a medication that can reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. You do not need to be a medical professional to administer Narcan.The Cranford Prevention & Wellness Alliance, together with the Cranford Police Department, is sponsoring a free Narcan training and distribution event at the Cranford Community Center.  It will be on Tuesday, October 15 between 7 and 8:30 pm.On this week's episode I speak with Karen Bennett from the Alliance and Captain Matt Nazzaro from the Cranford Police Department about the event and how Narcan is used.

Community Access Unlimited has provided training, housing and employment services to those with developmental disabilities since its founding in 1979. One of CAU's newest ventures is the T.eat.ch Café, where members can learn and practice various aspects of running a restaurant. On this week's episode I speak with Sandie Lynch, CAU's associate executive director, and Joshua Moreines, a Cranford resident and graduate of the program.

In some ways the story of Rev. Dr. Deborah Brooks is the story of returning. First, there was her returning to live in Cranford after spending the first ten years of her life in town. There was also returning to St. Mark AME church, first as a member and then as the pastor. In this week's episode hear about Rev. Brooks journey, a bit about the congregation and an upcoming Family & Friends Day to which the community is invited.

Fans of anime are likely familiar with Yu-Gi-Oh!. Two of the main characters on the series are Marik Ishtar and Yami Marik. Both were voice by Cranford resident Jonathan Todd Ross. Today, Jonathan is a prolific audiobook narrator, having narrated nearly 500 books.On this week's Cranford Radio episode we talk about both roles, including getting an inside look at what goes into voicing an audiobook and how technology has and continues to change the business.  

On Monday, August 12, the bloodmobile will be at the Community Center between 1 and 7 pm. Donors on Monday will be get a voucher for tickets to a Mets game. This week's guest on the podcast is Genevieve Toscano, an account manager with New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center. We chat about why the need for blood increases during the summer, the different types blood donations that can be made and some of the misconceptions about donating blood.