Cranford Radio
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You may know Dinah Dunn through her work as a writer and reporter for TAPinto Cranford https://www.tapinto.net/towns/cranford/. Your grade school kids may know her through the books shes written https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dinah+williams&crid=14TRXZITJRFCX&sprefix=dinah+williams%2Caps%2C67&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 for Scholastic Books https://www.scholastic.com/home. On this weeks podcast I talk to Dinah about what shes learned about Cranford since joining the online news site in September and how she writes to encourage young reluctant readers to pick up and read a book.
When youre a parent, especially with young children, you keep a close eye on your kids. You want to give them everything they need to thrive and youre on the lookout for any areas in which they need help. Its a big moment when they say that first word, and from there advance to simple sentences and build their vocabulary. Some kids need help in developing their communication skills and thats where this weeks guests comes in. Amanda Kukis https://www.functionalspeechnj.com/about-me is the owner of FUNctional Speech + Language https://www.functionalspeechnj.com/ and a Cranford resident. She works with young children, starting as young as 15-months, to overcome issues they may have with speech. Well hear about some of the conditions she deals with and how she helps not only the children but their parents resolve these issues.
On this St. Patricks Day weekend we talk with Cranford resident Jennifer Love. Jennifer was named the Irishwoman of the Year by the Union County Daughters of Ireland https://daughtersofireland.wixsite.com/daughtersofireland. The honor is just one facet of her story. She is a long-time Realtor and currently manages the Westfield office https://westfield.weichert.com/ of Weichert Realtors https://www.weichert.com/. Shes also served as an advocate for Emmas Law https://www.facebook.com/passemmaslaw/, which would require school vehicles which transport special needs children be equipped with tracking and other equipment. Learn more in this weeks Cranford Radio https://cranfordradio.wordpress.com/ podcast.
A number of Cranford business have teamed with the Work Readiness Academy https://www.ucesc.org/schools/the-work-readiness-academy, part of the Union County Educational Services Commission https://www.ucesc.org/, to prepare students for work following their schooling. Josh Bornstein, director of the academy and a Cranford resident, joins me on the podcast this week to talk about the program. Also joining us on the episode is Dr. Lajja Patel, a dentist and owner of South Avenue Dental https://www.southavenuedental.com/, and one of the business participants.
Serving as the township attorney is just one of the responsibilities of Ryan Cooper. In addition he has a law practice https://cooperllc.com/ in town and he also serves as the chairman of the Cranford Democratic Municipal Committee https://www.cranforddems.com/. On this weeks episode we learn about his role as Cranfords lawyer and his years going to high school on Sandy Hook https://www.mcvsd.org/schools/marine-academy-of-science-technology/ and how he spent the four years between high school and college.
"Peace, Love & Pancakes" is the phrase Toast City Diner https://toastcitydiner.com/ uses to describe themselves. Truth is, they are much more than that. The restaurant at the corner of South and Walnut avenues has a menu https://toastcitydiner.com/breakfast-brunch-lunch-menu/ that offers a variety of foods from breakfast staples such as omelettes to gourmet grilled cheese. Co-owners Amy Russo and Adam Torine chat with me about the restaurants beginnings, their years growing up in the business, and what attracted them to open their fourth store in Cranford.
As we come to Presidents Day Weekend, were going to go through a bit of presidential history by looking back at those men who served as President of the United States https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/ and who visited Cranford either before, during or after their terms in office. Vic Bary, a member of the Cranford Historical Society https://cranfordhistoricalsociety.org/, tells about those visits and a bit about the lives of the presidents who came through town.
While growing up in Cranford, Bridget Gautieri may not have realized some of the things she was doing were preparing her for a journey that would lead to Germany. She was a youth leader at Calvary Lutheran Church https://www.calvarycranford.com/ and from sixth grade at Orange Avenue School https://oas.cranfordschools.org/she studied German. After getting her undergraduate degree at Roanoke College https://www.roanoke.edu/ she entered Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia https://www.unitedlutheranseminary.edu/ with plans to become a pastor. This past summer she was ordained and shortly thereafter began a call serving at the ELCA Wittenberg Center https://www.elca.org/wittenberg in Germany. On this weeks episode I speak with Bridget about her years growing up in Cranford, when she realized she might become a pastor, and some of her experiences in Germany.
Early February is the when the refurbished Centennial Avenue indoor pool and fitness center https://www.cranfordnj.org/cranford-pools is expected to open. The facility will now be operated as the Cranford YMCA https://westfieldynj.org/programs/cranford-ymca/. In anticipation of the opening, Cranford Radio spoke with Greg Hatzisavvas https://westfieldynj.org/team/greg-hatzisavvas/, Vice President of Operations for the Westfield Area Y https://westfieldynj.org/. We talk about physical changes that have been made and what programs the Y will be offering.
A great way to spend a winter evening is enjoying a production by the Cranford Dramatic Club https://www.cdctheatre.org/. In February, the community theater will be presenting the play, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940." https://www.cdctheatre.org/musical-comedy-murders-of-1940.html Cranford Radio http://www.CranfordRadio.com had an opportunity to catch up with three of the folks involved with the production, director Zach Mazouat, stage manager Dana Dispoto and Shannon Ludlum, who plays Helsa Wenzel, to learn a bit about the show.
Many of us have things like junk drawers, piles on tables and a garage so crowded with stuff that we cant park our car inside. How do you get away from the mess and get your space better organized? Our guest on this weeks episode is Cranford resident Trish Johnson. She owns This Organized Chaos https://www.thisorganizedchaosnj.com/ and we chat about things you can do to put your living space in better order and how she can help you do it.
Each year the Cranford Clergy Council and the Interfaith Human Relations Committee recognize someone with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award to honor his legacy. This years recipient is Monsignor Timothy Shugrue. Father Tim served as the pastor of St. Michael Church https://stmichaelcranford.org/ for a dozen years before retiring from the parish last year. In this weeks episode we discuss the award and some of this memories of Dr. King while growing up.
This month voters have an opportunity to decide if they will approve a $75 million bond referendum. The bond includes funding for construction of full-day kindergarten classes in the district and facility enhancements. State aid will cover approximately 26% of the costs. Cranford Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Scott Rubin joins the podcast this week to discuss the referendum in greater detail. Additional information can be found online in a website https://sites.google.com/laura-bishop.com/cranford-vote/home about the bonding question.
As the weather turns colder, the need to address homelessness becomes more urgent. Bridges https://bridgesoutreach.org/, a non-profit organization based in Summit, does more than just provide clothing and food for those dealing with homelessness. They also work with those who are without permanent housing to find long-term solutions and to provide a safe place to live. In this weeks podcast I speak with Richard Uniacke, the president of Bridges, and Cranford resident Scott Waldman who is on the board of directors. We talk about how the organization has evolved and their recent expansion into Union County. We also note how listeners can help https://bridgesoutreach.org/makeagift.
As a child Paul Kerbel moved around quite a bit, but for the past five+ years his home is Cranford as he serves as the spiritual leader of Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim http://tbemc.org/. Rabbi Kerbel https://tbemc.org/meet-rabbi-kerbel/ talks about his childhood, why he was drawn to becoming a rabbi and his impressions of Cranford. We also talk about recent events in the Middle East and how that has affected him and his congregation.
Chris Battiloro was officially appointed as Westfields police chief in December 2018. While he grew up in Westfield and has spent his entire law enforcement career in our neighboring town, Cranford is the town Chris and his family call home. On this weeks episode we chat about his life as a police officer and how technology and world events impact his profession. We also note how an infamous crime still impacts the department and its officers. Stick around to see which team Chris roots for when Cranford and Westfield meet on the playing fields.
If youre not Roman Catholic you might not be too familiar with the Knights of Columbus https://www.kofc.org/ and the work they do. Cranford Council 6226 https://www.facebook.com/kofc6226 is associated with the Parish of St. Michael https://stmichaelcranford.org/ but their members come from more than just St. Michaels and Cranford. The current leader of the council is Kevin Cumisky. Hes served as Grand Knight since July 2023. On this weeks episode he tells me about the organization, the work they do and how he became involved.
As a Cranford High student, John Fedorchak stood out as a football player and wrestler. He was recruited by the Rutgers football program https://scarletknights.com/sports/football and, as a junior, was part of the 1976 undefeated team https://scarletknights.com/honors/rutgers-athletics-hall-of-fame/football-team-1976/294 that was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame https://scarletknights.com/honors/rutgers-athletics-hall-of-fame. John, who is also in the Cranford Sports Hall of Fame http://chs.cranfordschools.org/athletics/hof/, is now retired. He chatted with Cranford Radio http://www.CranfordRadio.com about his experiences as a player on one of only two Rutgers teams to go undefeated.
The Jumble Store http://www.jlepnj.org/jumble-store.html is probably the most visible part of the Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield http://www.jlepnj.org/, but it is far from the only activity run by the organization. Among its other projects are scholarships, a service which provides free career-dressing services to women who are struggling financially and behind-the-scenes help for those in need. My guest on this weeks episode is Marge Szymona, a sustaining member for over 40 years and the former long-time manager of the Jumble Store. She shares more information about the group and tells how the Jumble Store got its name 90 years ago.
Its been 45 years since the members of the Cranford High School Class of 78 https://www.facebook.com/events/s/45-year-chs-class-of-78-reunio/1320993751863501/ walked the halls of CHS. On Saturday, October 21 the class will be gathering at the Cranford Elks Lodge for a reunion. One member of the class, Joe Attanasi, Jr. chatted with Cranford Radio about whats planned and some of his memories from the 1970s.
If I told you to I was at the purple building on North Avenue, youd probably be able to guess where I was. For nearly a quarter century, Stefanie Lalor has been a part of Downtown Cranford with her shop, The Artist Framer https://artistframer.com/. On this weeks podcast I visit Stefanie in her store to learn what inspired her to become part of the art world, both as a practitioner and an entrepreneur.
A 16th century story filled with music from the 1980s female rock band, The Go Gos, is the first offering of the Cranford Dramatic Club https://www.cdctheatre.org/s new season. The musical takes to the stage weekends starting October 13 and running through the 28th. On this weeks podcast my guests are Sean Lough (director), Jannette Fisher (Mopsa), Sean Lynch-Littlejohn (Basilius) and Hannah Elarmo (music director). Purchase tickets https://www.cdctheatre.org/head-over-heels.html
Throughout this summer labor unions have been in the news; writers on strike, actors walking picket lines, and autoworkers shutting down production, are three of the more prominent examples. Here in Cranford, most public school employees are represented by the Cranford Education Association. Its not just teachers, but support staff, nurses, para-professional and others who are part of the membership. In this weeks podcast I speak with CEA President Kevin Jala and Recording Secretary Colleen McDonald to learn more about the organization as well as the two teachers themselves.
When nearly everything shutdown in March 2020 at the start of COVID, some organizations stayed open. FLAG of Cranford was created with a duel purpose of providing for those front-line providers and supporting Cranford restaurants which were hard hit by the pandemic. The organization has pivoted with a slightly new name, FLAG for Cranford https://flagforcranford.com/, and an adjusted mission. On this weeks podcast I speak with the two women who started the volunteer group, Rebecca Tantillo and Caren Demyen. They discuss the groups origins, what its doing today and how Cranford residents and businesses can help support their work.
From Day 1 of TV35 https://www.cranfordnj.org/tv-35s existence the one constant presence was Ed Davenport. After 37 years at the Cranford channel, both as a volunteer and as the stations manager, Ed retired at the start of August. Before exiting, Ed chatted with me about his experiences and recounted some of the highlights and lowlights of his years working at TV35.
The New Jersey Bankers Association https://www.njbankers.com/ represents financial institutions throughout the state. The guest on this weeks episode of the Cranford Radio http://www.CranfordRadio.com podcast is Jenn Zorn, the executive vice president for education and business development for NJBankers. She tells us the organizations primary role is to represent its members interests in Trenton and Washington, DC. The Cranford resident also notes the associations role in attracting new talent into the industry as well as educating current bankers and we touch on how NJBankers and its members help support Cranford non-profits.
Chelsea Selby, along with her husband Joe Randazza, is the owner of Witch Baby Soap https://www.witchbabysoap.com/ and Magick Manor. Witch Baby came to Cranford in 2019 at 11 Eastman Street and Magick Manor opened this spring at 11 North Union Avenue. Guest host Sofia Little https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-little-8131b5238, who worked at Witch Baby and Magick Manor, talks with the Cranford resident about what the stores offer and why she started the businesses.
It was January of this year when Rev. Jin Bae was installed as the senior pastor at Cranfords First Presbyterian Church https://firstprescranford.org/. Rev. Baes journey to Cranford had a number of interesting twists and turns starting with his birth and early childhood in South Korea, a degree in electrical engineering and his first preaching in an Assemblies of God https://ag.org/ congregation in California. In this weeks podcast, we hear more about what led him to become a minister and how an early visit prompted him to compare Cranford to a Hallmark Channel https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/ movie.
Cranford resident Dr. Daniela Shebitz https://www.kean.edu/directory/daniela-shebitz has had an interest in the environment going back to seventh grade. Shes a professor at Kean University https://www.kean.edu/ as well as the chair of the Department of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences https://www.kean.edu/academics/college-science-mathematics-and-technology/department-environmental-and-sustainability. In addition, she serves as a board member for the Hanson Park Conservancy https://www.hansonparkconservancy.com/. On this weeks podcast we talk about global environmental issues and how they impact Cranford. We also get into the towns ecology including the Rahway River and how the indigenous people https://nlltribe.com/ who lived in what is now Cranford used the land we now live on.
Marine, cop, surgeon. Just a few of the roles that Terry Curran has performed during his career. On this weeks episode of the Cranford Radio http://www.CranfordRadio.com podcast we learn a bit more about Cranfords new deputy mayor https://www.tapinto.net/towns/cranford/sections/government/articles/cranford-township-committee-names-commissioner-s-replacement-new-deputy-mayor.
