In the Cranford Community Center on Saturday, September 7 at 2:00 pm, the Theater Project will present a staged, script-in-hand reading of Death Club, a comedy by playwright and screenwriter Stephanie Griffin. What happens when the patriarch of the Lenora family funeral parlor dies? The social life of the neighborhood elders and the future of the remaining Lenora family is thrown into disarray. The Theater Project is an acclaimed professional theater group and the winner of two NJ Tony Awards. Admission is free and all are welcome.

DEATH CLUB
​A comedy by Stephanie Griffin
What happens when the patriarch of the Lenora family funeral parlor dies? The social life of the neighborhood elders and the future of the remaining Lenora family is thrown into disarray.

The play opens in the viewing room of the Lenora Funeral Parlor. Theresa is preparing the body of her father – in – law – for viewing. His death puts in motion a spiral for his son, his daughter – in – law and 2 neighborhood regulars mourners. If they sell the funeral parlor, will the mourners have to resort to Bingo?                                                                

Stephanie Griffin is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, with works performed across the metropolitan area, (including NJ Repertory, Judson Church, Hoboken Theatre Festival, Dixon Place, Gallery Players) and published by Smith & Kraus. She is a member of the Dramatist’s Guild, ICWP, Theater Project & PDC.

Monday evening Cranford is playing host to a public presentation by the Regional Plan Association on their report, “A Preventable Crisis, The Economic and Human Costs of a Hudson River Rail Tunnel Shutdown.” It starts at 6:30 and will be held in the Community Center.

Calling all Cranford Tourologists to spend the day on a spectacular walking tour to
Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate, Sleepy Hollow, NY

A majestic paradise with sweeping river views!
Kykuit was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. His business acumen made him, in his day, the richest man in America. Now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this extraordinary landmark has been continuously and meticulously maintained for more than 100 years.

Your Classic Tour includes the main floor of the house, art galleries, inner garden, golf room and coach barn. 2 hours 15 minutes including the shuttle bus ride. Round trip transportation, the Classic Tour and lunch included.

Fee PP $88 (Limited space available)
Day Tours are organized by Cranford Recreation Staff.

*Departure from Orange Avenue Pool Parking Lot-8:00 AM.

Notes: We recommend all Kykuit tours for ages 10 and up. They are not recommended for ages 5 and under, Strollers and backpack carriers are not permitted inside the house, but can be stored in the free lockers provided at the Kykuit Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor. Neither the Classic Tour nor the Landmark Tour is wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the terrain. Historic Hudson Valley events are held rain or shine. All attendees must sign waiver.
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Reservations booked directly through Cranford Recreation Center online or via phone. https://register.communitypass.net/Cranford 908-709-7283

Cranford 2019 Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Chunkin’
1:00 pm Gathering & Registration (Cranford Community Center Parking Lot)
1:30 pm Judging
2:00 pm Parade
2:30 pm Pumpkin Chunkin (Gazebo at Fire Department)
Awards to follow

We scroll, we post, we comment for hours each day. We have shortened our attention span and stared at our phones while sitting and eating with our loved ones and closest friends, our attention focused on the screen. This symposium is not designed to say that smartphones are bad, but to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and families as we continue on this road of rapid technological breakthroughs. It is important to be aware of the adverse effects that smartphones and new technologies may cause, especially for youths.

This program will be led by Assistant Director of Community Prevention at Prevention Links, Sean Keagan Foley, MSW, LSW. This program is sponsored by the Cranford Public Library and Cranford Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Prevention Links.

Hudson Shakespeare presents Marlowe’s chilling tragedy, directed by Jon Ciccarelli.
Doctor Faustus makes an offer that Mephistopheles, a servant of the devil, can’t refuse. He will sign away his soul in exchange for 24 years of life -and Mephistopheles at his beck and call. Faustus embarks on a journey through time and space in search of life’s meaning. Who will he meet?  Where will he travel to?  What will he learn?  And ultimately – what happens when his time is up?

The Hudson Shakespeare Company has presented over 100 productions since 1992, including an annual Shakespeare festival, modern theater and educational programs. They are known for producing many lesser-known and lesser-performed works “in order to expose audiences to all facets of Elizabethan and Jacobean drama.” This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.

The Theater Project will present a staged, script-in-hand reading of an original play by Brooklyn playwright Andrew Barnes, followed by a discussion with the audience, director, playwright and cast. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.

37A is an inmate at an immigration detention faculty in London. Through his unthinkable toil, a new strength emerges as he learns to navigate his situation with little help from the outside. 37A serves as a reminder that we cannot become numb to what happens around us.

Brooklyn playwright, director and actor Andrew Barnes has his BA in Theatre Arts from Drew University and his MA in Theatre Arts with a concentration on new work development and solo performance from Middlesex University. His play Canarsie was a part of this same reading series last year. His other works include Pulse (Pridefest 2019), Road Trippin’ (winner of Oxnam Playwriting Award), The ABC’s of Sexuality (Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016), and Exhibit 1.1 (Grove Theatre MU).

The Theater Project is an acclaimed professional theater group and the winner of two New Jersey Tony Awards. Learn more about them at www.thetheaterproject.org.

Admission is free and all are welcome. For information about the Cranford Public Library, the Friends of the Cranford Public Library, and other upcoming events, visit the Cranford Public Library page at cranfordlibrary.org. The Cranford Community Center is accessible to all.

Cranford Community Blood Drive Sponsored by Cranford Jaycees

Saturday, January 11, 2020 10am – 4pm

Cranford Community Center
220 Walnut Street
Cranford, NJ

 Appointments appreciated.  To schedule an appointment go to http://tinyurl.com/GiveBloodNJBS  sponsor code is 16077

WALK-INS Welcome!

 All donors at NYBC January drives will be entered into a sweepstake for a trip for 2 to Cancun.

Join the Friends of the Cranford Public Library for captivating international films! January’s Film will be shown in French with subtitles. Please contact the Cranford Public Library at (908) 709-7272 for details.

Join the Friends of the Cranford Public Library for captivating international films! January’s Film will be shown in French with subtitles. Please contact the Cranford Public Library at (908) 709-7272 for details.

The Theater Project returns in 2020 with live, script-in-hand readings of original plays, followed by discussions with the playwright, director, cast, and audience. NJ actor, director, and writer Dennis D’Aprile will debut “Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son,” a new work based on George Horace Lorimer’s 1903 book about a wealthy man grooming his son to take over the family business by making him start at the bottom, as portrayed in comparison to our modern measures of success.

The Cranford Public Library presents Hollywood hits! January’s film will be “Judy.” Set in late 1968 and early 1969, “Judy” portrays Judy Garland hustling in Swinging London after successfully securing an engagement in Talk of the Town. Behind the scenes, her tumultuous life continues on, battling with her manager and her ex-husband.

The popular Readers Forum book club meets monthly in the Cranford Public Library. New members are always welcome! Sessions are on Monday at 7:00 pm in the Fridlington Room. Questions? Call the Reference Desk at 908-709-7272, or email [email protected]. The library can’t guarantee a copy of each book for every participant, but every effort will be made to obtain multiple copies.

January’s title is “Educated” by Tara Westover (2018): An extraordinary memoir of a woman who grew up in Idaho off the grid testifying to the irrepressible thirst to learn.

In a one-night-only appearance, master flutist Galen Abdur-Razzaq will join us for a lecture and performance: “Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement.” Our guest will discuss and perform jazz pieces by artists who contributed to the formation and progress of the civil rights movement. Born in Montclair, NJ, Galen has performed domestically and internationally for over 30 years, traveling to universities, concert halls, festivals, and libraries around the globe. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.

Join the Friends of the Cranford Public Library for captivating international films! February’s film will be shown in Swedish with subtitles. Please contact the Cranford Public Library at (908) 709-7272 for details.

Join the Friends of the Cranford Public Library for captivating international films! February’s film will be shown in Swedish with subtitles. Please contact the Cranford Public Library at (908) 709-7272 for details.

Want to coach recreational youth sports? This class is for you if you need to be certified to coach recreational sports, catholic and CYO sports in NJ.