Cranford Radio

Since 1875, Trinity Episcopal Church has been a landmark on the corner of North and Forest avenues in Cranford. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the parish. Tom Kaercher is the junior warden of the church and its unofficial historian. He joins me to talk about the church's history and some of the interesting stories from its century and a half existence.

When you're a kid, there are few things more exciting than getting a new toy. When you're an adult, the toys get to be a bit more sophisticated and expensive. But what if you're an adult who creates new toys for kids to play with? Robert Schott is just such a person and he joins Cranford Radio to talk about SprawlyWalls. Learn about the toy and how it came to be in this week's episode.

Gina Black and Steve Robertazzi, Director of Recreation and Parks, join us on a joint production of TV35 and Cranford Radio. We take a look back at the summer playground season and a look ahead at the fall plans. We’ll also chat about the new recreation building at 375 Centennial Avenue and how residents can get involved.

This is opening weekend for the musical, Once on This Island at the Cranford Dramatic Club. The show is based on The Little Mermaid but takes place on a Caribbean island. We're joined on this episode by Roxie Billups (TiMoune), Karen Carratura (Asaka), Jordan Owens (Agwe), Tiffany Johnson (Erzulie), David Rivera, Jr. (Papa Ge) and the director, Howard Whitmore.The show runs on weekends through October 22 and tickets can be purchased online.

While there have always been independent businesspeople who create unique products, it's sometimes been difficult for them to connect with potential customers. A Cranford-based company, Marketspace Vendor Events, not only helps to bridge that gap, it also finds fun venues for both to come together. Kim and Kevin Kraemer join Cranford Radio this week to talk about their business and how it came to be.

Meet some personalities from Cranford's past next month when the Haunted Cranford History Tour takes place downtown. This is a rare opportunity because all of these visitors departed this earthly realm long ago. The woman responsible for gathering this cast of ghostly characters is Jane McLaughlin, the owner of Haunted History Productions. She's been organizing these tours for 14 years and this will be the first time the event is held in town. We talk about what visitors will see and how she brings the spirits back to life.

Robert D'Ambola worked as a cop for 28 years in Summit. He later served on the Cranford Township Committee. During much of this time he also was an instructor at the Union County Police Academy and taught recruits about ethics. In his latest book, The True Test Is When No One Sees, D'Ambola gives numerous real-life examples of ethical quandaries that law enforcement officers, and others, found themselves in. In this week's podcast we talk about his experiences in police work and how the book came to be.

A new Cranford media outlet made its debut this year. Cranford Local is a monthly magazine mailed to all Cranford homes and it features stories about Cranford businesses and families. Shawn McDonald is the editor and she spoke with Cranford Radio about the publication. She also gives her perspective on the newest generation of journalists that she's teaching in her full-time job as a journalism educator at Westfield High School as well as her role as an advisor to the student publications, including the school's newspaper, Hi's Eye.

Health problems, a job loss, a death; just a few of the ways someone can suffer a financial emergency.  When these events result in difficulties paying rent or a mortgage, Project Home of Cranford can help. In this week's episode we talk with Lisa Orrico, the president of Project Home and Maggie Feeney, the vice president to learn how the organization can help and how they work with Cranford Family Care to help those in need.

Art, music, movies, sales. Just a few of the many offerings and events happening year-round in Downtown Cranford. Two of the people charged with making it all happen are Caren Demyen, the Director of Downtown Cranford and Michelle Stavrou, the Social Media Coordinator. On this week's podcast I talk to them about the various events that take place and what else goes into making Downtown Cranford a two-time winner of the Best Downtown in New Jersey.

Far From Heaven, The Plot Against America, a Super Bowl TV commercial. What do they all have in common? All had scenes shot in Cranford. The town is frequently showcased in movies, TV shows and commercials. What is it about Cranford that's attractive to the creative people behind these productions? Listen as Cranford Radio talks to David W. Schoner, Jr., the Associate Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and TV Commission.

Cranford has dozens of volunteer committees that deal with everything from sewage to golf. One such committee is the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Committee. Anthony Durante is the committee's chair and he chatted with Cranford Radio about the group's purpose and what they're currently working on.

The township administrator’s role is similar to the chief operating officer’s responsibilities in the business world. Jamie Cryan has been Cranford’s Township Administrator since January 2019. In this week’s Cranford Radio podcast he talks about why he decided to work in the public sector, how his previous jobs in West New York, New Jersey led to his current position and what’s involved in the position.

Jay Boxwell Jr. had no idea his enlistment in the US Navy would one day lead to being the State Commander for Department of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars. Boxwell took on the role in June and will serve for a year. In this Cranford Radio podcast he talks about his military and VFW experiences.

There are thousands of books inside the Cranford Public Library on Walnut Avenue but, under a new program coming this year, those books will represent only a fraction of the materials that will be easily available to library patrons. Library Director Michael Maziekien and Head of Reference Services Marissa Lieberman tell us more about the new service as well as other activities taking place. We also discuss some of the changes COVID has brought and how the library might be helping you grow your garden.

Two young brothers are experiencing a life-changing summer. That, in a sentence, is a preview of Joseph Colicchio's latest novel, All Strings Attached. In this week's Cranford Radio podcast, Joe tells us a bit more about his book as well as a bit more about his own life.

We're surrounded by beautiful images but often we take them for granted or don't notice them. Frank Little, a Cranford photographer, sees many of the same things we pass daily but with a lot of hard work, a bit of luck, and an artist's eye, he's able to create beautiful pictures. Frank's photos often combine the man-made with celestial spheres and his work has brought him notice far beyond Cranford's borders. In this week's Cranford Radio podcast we talk with Frank about his work, how he had his start and get a glimpse into how he creates his magnificent images.

Lucy Young, a seventh grade student at Hillside Avenue School, may not go into clothes design when she's older, but right now her Cranford Pride shirt is being seen around town as Cranford and the nation mark Pride Month. Lucy talked to Cranford Radio about what prompted her to make the design and how funds raised by its sale will benefit The Trevor Project.Link to purchase shirt (scroll down to bottom)

Memorial Day is about much more than backyard barbecues, the first shore weekend or the unofficial start of summer. It's a day to remember those who gave their lives in service to our nation during its many conflicts. There have been 86 Cranford men who have died during those wars and Don Sweeney started a project to tell the story of each of those individuals so that their legacy is remembered for generations to come. In this week's Cranford Radio podcast, Don talks about the Cranford 86 Project, how it got started and some of the challenges he and his partners have faced in telling those stories. 

For many of us, our interactions with the United States Postal Service go no further than mailing a letter, buying stamps and looking through our daily deliveries. There's a lot more though that has to happen for that card you send to get to where it's going. Walidah Ali is the Cranford Postmaster and she's responsible for those first steps in sending your mail when it's dropped off in town and the final steps before it lands in your mailbox. She tells us a bit more about what happens before and after.