A Cranford Tradition Closes After 112 Years

A lot has changed when it comes to hair since the Cranford Barber Shop opened.  Crew cuts gave way to long hair.  Getting a haircut also meant getting a shave for many men and while they were waiting they might have their shoes shined.

The shop, which had its last day on April 27, cut the hair on countless Cranford kids and adults. It was one of the first barber shops in town to also cut the hair of women and girls.  

On the day after the closure, I visited the store to talk with two family members, Rich Marsiglia and Mark Manto about memories they have of the shop and why they had to shut the doors.

On a happy note, it was announced the shop will be reopening under the ownership of three of the barbers at 108 Walnut Avenue in June.

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Standing left to right: Mark Manto, Rich Marsiglia and John Marsiglia; seated: Paula Manto

Cranford Dramatic Club Stages Hair

There’s much about the current political state in the US that is shared with the 1960s. Both periods are seen by many as a time of division. Anti-war protests and civil rights are very much in the news. The Cranford Dramatic Club brings us back to the 1960s with the final production of their current season with the musical Hair.

Cranford Radio speaks with director/choreographer Michael Kidney, as well as cast members Griffin Gartlgruber (Claude), Tyler Vanterpool (Hud), Amanda Malone (Sheila) and Lauren McCoig (a member of the Tribe), to learn more about this show.

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Chair Molly Kellett Talks About the Role and Responsibilities of the Planning Board

Most major building projects in Cranford require hearings and approval of the Cranford Planning Board. If you’re not involved yourself in a project, you may not be aware of the board does.

On this week’s podcast I speak with the chair of the Planning Board, Molly Kellett, to learn about what the board does and how it does its work.

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Molly Kellett

Downtown Cranford Sponsoring Business Development Series

A Cranford-based organization, the UCEDC, working with Downtown Cranford and the Cranford Theater, is holding a four-part series designed to give Cranford business owners tools they can use to grow their business.

Mary Adelman, a business consultant with the UCEDC, will be leading one of the sessions. She’s my guest this week on Cranford Radio to talk about the program and how business owners can benefit from both the sessions and the networking opportunities.

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Mary Adelman

Cranford Public Library Director Kathy Cannarozzi

It’s National Library Week and to mark the occasion my guest on this episode of the Cranford Radio podcast is Kathy Cannarozzi, the director of the Cranford Public Library. We chat about a variety of topics including her first year at the library, the plans to expand the children’s section and the CPL’s role as a book sanctuary.

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Kathy Cannarozzi

Keeping New Jersey Moving – Chris Feinthel of New Jersey DOT

Often, the highway infrastructure of the state is taken for granted. We hop in our cars and drive from place to place with little thought of what’s necessary to let it happen. When something goes wrong however, we quickly realize how fragile our infrastructure can be.

Chris Feinthel, Assistant Commissioner for Operations in the New Jersey Department of Transportation, grew up in Cranford never thinking he would be in charge of operations for a massive roadway system stretching from High Point to Cape Map Point. On this joint production of Cranford Radio and Transportation Radio, I talk with Chris about his job, what happens when weather throws a wrench into transportation and how NJDOT is making adjustments as climate change impacts the transportation infrastructure.

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Chris Feinthel

Cranford Journalist and Children’s Author Dinah Dunn

You may know Dinah Dunn through her work as a writer and reporter for TAPinto Cranford. Your grade school kids may know her through the books she’s written for Scholastic Books. 

On this week’s podcast I talk to Dinah about what she’s 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.

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Dinah Dunn

Amanda Kukis: FUNctional Speech + Language

When you’re 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 you’re on the lookout for any areas in which they need help.

It’s 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 that’s where this week’s guests comes in. Amanda Kukis is the owner of FUNctional Speech + Language and a Cranford resident. She works with young children, starting as young as 15-months, to overcome issues they may have with speech. We’ll hear about some of the conditions she deals with and how she helps not only the children but their parents resolve these issues.

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Amanda Kukis

Jennifer Love: Union County Daughters of Ireland ‘Irishwoman of the Year’

On this St. Patrick’s Day weekend we talk with Cranford resident Jennifer Love. Jennifer was named the Irishwoman of the Year by the Union County Daughters of Ireland. The honor is just one facet of her story.

She is a long-time Realtor and currently manages the Westfield office of Weichert Realtors.  She’s also served as an advocate for Emma’s Law, which would require school vehicles which transport special needs children be equipped with tracking and other equipment. Learn more in this week’s Cranford Radio podcast.

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Jennifer Love

Union County School and Cranford Businesses Partner to Aid Students with Disabilities

A number of Cranford business have teamed with the Work Readiness Academy, part of the Union County Educational Services Commission, 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, and one of the business participants.

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Other participating Cranford businesses are: Augusta Mae Boutique, Cake Artist Cafe, Cranford Theater, Hilltop Bicycles, Home Power Yoga, Keating Physical Therapy, Legacy Salon, Mr. J’s Deli, Sweet & Fancy Emporium, TC Graphics and Walgreens.

Josh Bornstein

Dr. Lajja Patel