Cranford Calendar
Vietnam Veteran Jan F. Cook Named 2019 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal
Vietnam Veteran Jan F. Cook will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2019 Memorial Day parade in the Borough of Roselle Park.
Mr. Cook was born in 1952 and was raised and educated in Elizabeth, New Jersey. While attending Roosevelt High School in Elizabeth, he entered the U.S. Military in 1969 at age 17. After his training at Fort Dix, Mr. Cook attended Jump School Wiesbaden in Germany. He was assigned to the 1/509 Airborn Infantry Brigades until 1975. He was reinstated in 1979 with the 50th Armored Division Discom Class Five. During his service, Mr. Cook was decorated with numerous Awards and Medals.
After 31 years of serving his country, he left the service as E-7 in 1999 and entered into the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve.)
Upon returning, Mr. Cook became a Pass Commander and a life member with American Legion Post No. 60 of Roselle Park, and with the Downtown Veterans Association of Elizabeth. He is also a member of VFW 7363 of Clark, New Jersey.
Mr. Cook is married to his beautiful wife Mary of 38 years and was blessed with two boys Tommy and Frankie.
Mr. Cook retired from Wakefern Food Corporation in 1999 and has been a resident of Linden, New Jersey since 1984. He enjoys his free time involved in several interests and spends time with his friends at the Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library and American Legion Post No. 60.
The Borough’s parade assembly will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Sherman Elementary School and will step off at 10:00 a.m. from the school on East Grant Avenue, marching toward Chestnut Street.
Marching will pause for 3 minutes for each group to display their talent and achievements at the viewing stand in front of the Methodist Church on Chestnut Street and end at the Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library for the annual Memorial Day service.
After the service, everyone is invited to the Town Picnic at the Casano Community Center (free food and refreshments) hosted by the Borough.
Mayor Signorello and the Borough Council honor the memories and service of veterans of all wars and invite everyone to attend the parade and service.
If an organization or group would like to march in the parade, or requires more information, please contact Rupen Shah at 908-245-0666.
St. Michael Church will host its third annual Memorial Day Parish Picnic, Monday, May 27, 12:00-3:00 p.m. following the township memorial service. The picnic will take place alongside the church on Miln Street. There will be food, music, games, crafts, and fun for all ages!
There will also be a collection for Operation Chillout at the picnic.
The Westfield Area YMCA hosts Dr. Antonios Mammis, Functional Neurosurgeon at University Hospital Newark and Dr. Erin Feinstein, Movement Disorder Specialist at University Hospital Newark for a free lunchtime lecture 12:30-2:00PM on Wednesday, 5/29. Learn about the latest therapies for Parkinson’s Disease. Topics include medication management, diet/exercise, and surgical options. Refreshments will be served. Y members and the community are invited, please register by 5/24.
Jean White, Westfield Area YMCA Health & Wellness Director, will also be available to discuss the “Delay the Disease: Exercise to Fight Parkinson’s Symptoms” class offered at the Y. Research has shown that physical exercise has measurable benefits for those living with Parkinson’s. This unique program, led by Y trainers with specialized certification, incorporates strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular exercises to help soothe tremors, improve posture, smooth steps and increase overall well-being.
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Learn more about Westfield Area YMCA programs at www.westfieldynj.org.
The Westfield Area YMCA, in collaboration with the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA and Plainfield YMCA will host the 21st Annual Achievers Banquet on Friday, June 7, from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm at The Westwood, 438 North Avenue in Garwood. The evening will include a cocktail hour with live musical performances by students; dinner and dancing; an art auction and tricky tray. The tricky tray features over 20 items including offerings from Lord & Taylor, Plainfield Symphony, Kidoolo, Somerset Patriots and NY Broadway Tours. At the banquet, graduating high school seniors, Achievers alumni and Connell Company scholarship recipients will be recognized with certificates distributed by Assemblywoman Linda Carter.
This year’s event features speakers and artists:
Keynote Speaker, Tobias Truvillion, is best known as an actor on In Contempt and Empire. He is also a film producer, philanthropist, inner-city youth mentor, advocate, and arts instructor.
Banquet Guest Artist, John Stanisci, is a Marvel/DC Comic illustrator who will auction his work to benefit the Achievers program. John has been a professional illustrator for over 18 years working for all the major comic book publishers drawing characters such as Spider Man, Batman, Catwoman, Superman, and The Hulk.
Positive Peer Pressure Speaker, Dean A. Scott, is co-founder of Cocoa Mocha Kids, an online social media resource page that reviews products for children of color. Ten-year-old Dean and mom Tasha are also the creators of The Mia London “Perfectly Perfect Pajama” Collection, the first pajama collection for children of color.
Proceeds of the 21st Annual Banquet will benefit the Achievers Program. To attend or support, please visit www.westfieldynj.org/programs/leadership-development/ or the Westfield Area YMCA Welcome Center at 220 Clark Street in Westfield. Ad Journal or vendor table submissions are due by May 31st. Individual or table tickets must be purchased by June 3rd.
The Westfield Area YMCA Achievers began 21 years ago as part of a national program focusing on college readiness, career development, leadership, life skills and mentoring for diverse high school students from Union County. The goal is to raise the academic standards of young people, expose students to diverse career options and inspire them to reach their goals. Achievers also participate in community service activities, celebrate their history, culture and traditions, receive college prep tutoring and essay assistance. This program is available at little or no cost to participants.
For inquiries about the banquet or how to otherwise support these leaders of tomorrow, please contact Janice A. Carthens at 908-301-YMCA (9622) x227,[email protected] or Nadya Lawrence at 908-301-YMCA (9622) x280,[email protected].
Join in some Summer Fun this Sunday, August 11th to benefit the UC animal rescue group, Best Friend Dog & Animal Adoption – Tickets still available!
Cause 4 Paws will be at Pet Supplies Plus in Garwood for Clear the Shelters Day 2019! Come on down and meet your new #BestFriend!
Giant Mums. Potted Mums. Hanging Mums. And More! All funds benefit the program.
Giant Mums. Potted Mums. Hanging Mums. And More! All funds benefit the program.
The Cranford Cure Diabetes 5K at Nomahegan Park is held annually to rally support to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, a disease that impacts many people in our communities. Through the growing number of race participants and the generosity of many of our event sponsors and volunteers, we are proud of our partnership and commitment to JDRF.org, the beneficiary of this event.
The Cranford Cure Diabetes 5K is a USATF Sanctioned Event run on a certified course through Nomahegan Park and is part of the USATF-NJ Grand Prix Series.
Race day tee-shirts and goodie-bags will be given to participants during registration that opens at 7:30am (while supplies last). Post-race refreshments will be available and awards given across many categories including: Top 3 Male and Female overall; Top 3 Male and Female Cranford Residents; Top 3 Male and Female Runners with Type 1 Diabetes along with top 3 teams and numerous age group categories.
To show our appreciation, every participant who wears a TUTU will receive a special prize.
Includes: Breakfast, golf, hot dog on turn, course refreshments, prizes, lunch/refreshments/awards at Kikenny House after golf. Scramble format – Sponsorships available. Portion of proceeds to benefit local charities.
Join us Thursday, October 10th for our Annual Golf Outing
Ash Brook Golf Course
11:00 AM Lunch / 12:30 Shotgun Start
Dinner and 3-hour Open Bar at Molly’s
Golf Giveaways and Prizes!
$185 per player
RSVP to John McPartlan and reserve your spot:
Union County’s best golf outing! Come out to help support our St. Patrick’s Parade!
The Molly Maguire’s team
On July 4th, 2017, on his way to the race, Art suffered a catastrophic injury when he got out to inspect the generator in his pickup truck and the truck rolled over him, paralyzing him from the neck down. As you can imagine, he and his family have had to endure a great deal since then, and members of the Jaycees, along with two veterans organizations, Project Help and Vet Rest are doing what we can to offset some of the financial burden placed upon the Bilenker family.
The flier provides information on how to purchase tickets online, but I am also available if you’d like to purchase them locally and can be reached at 908-787-2085 or [email protected]. If you order two, I’ll even drop them off at your house. For those of you know and love Cranford like I do, this is what our community is all about. Thank you for your support!
Hanson Park Conservancy’s 9th Annual Rubber Ducky Derby is scheduled once again for Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 4 pm. On race day, over one-thousand individually numbered rubber ducks will be released in the Rahway River at Sperry Park, Cranford NJ and tumble over the falls racing to the finish line at the North Union Ave Bridge. Numerous prizes for the fastest lucky duckies will be awarded. The top prize is a $250.00 gift card.
Tickets can be purchased at two locations: Periwinkles, on North Union Avenue downtown Cranford, or the Cranford Canoe Club on Springfield Ave. Purchase a single Duck for $5.00 or a flock of 5 ducks for $20.00. Please secure your tickets early as ducks are limited and the race has been known to sell out.
All proceeds benefit Hanson Park maintenance and educational programs. If you have not yet walked through this lovely little park, please visit this hidden gem located at 38 Springfield Ave. Have you got your Ducky?
Sign up or sponsor at http://thecplinc.org/forms/CPLBreakfastRunAd2019.pdf
Join us on October 19th, 2019 for the 21st Annual Red Ribbon Day and Drug Prevention Walk! Our event is a countywide kickoff celebrating Red Ribbon Drug Prevention Week throughout Union County. Red Ribbon is celebrated locally and nationally to increase awareness and support for substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. Join us the day of and walk to prevent drug abuse. Immediately following the Walk we will kick off our Family Fun Day with many activities for kids and informational health exhibitors.
Project Home of Cranford is holding there 5K Monster Dash and Family Fun Run on Sunday, October 27.
All proceeds go to Cranford Family Care.
Running in costume are welcomed and registration is through https://www.projecthomeofcranford.org/monster-dash/
Please join us for the SIXTH ANNUAL BAS/OAS Fall 5K and Fun Run! This family-fun event raises money for both Bloomingdale Avenue (K-2) and Orange Avenue (3-8) Schools in Cranford!
Join us as we “Dine Out to Donate” at the Cranford Station House on either Tues. 11/5 or Wed. 11/6 from 7am-5pm. Serving breakfast, brunch or lunch. Please present flyer to your server to ensure a portion of your bill will be donated back to Church of the Assumption.
Join us as we “Dine Out to Donate” at the Cranford Station House on either Tues. 11/5 or Wed. 11/6 from 7am-5pm. Serving breakfast, brunch or lunch. Please present flyer to your server to ensure a portion of your bill will be donated back to Church of the Assumption.
ROSELLE PARK TO HOST VETERANS’ DAY SERVICE
The Borough of Roselle Park will host its salute to veterans of the United States Armed Forces on Monday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. Mayor Sig and the Borough Council invite everyone to join together to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces, living or deceased, and current service members with any length of military service that is active duty, reserve component, or National Guard with any U.S. military branch.
The Borough’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place in the front of Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library located at 404 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park.
Casano Community Center will provide free bus service to Roselle Park senior citizens. Residents must call on Friday to arrange for transportation. For more information, please call Casano Community Center at 908-245-0666.
