Ghosts from Cranford’s Past Visiting October 1st

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.

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Jane McLaughlin

Former Cranford Resident Looks at Ethics From a Police Perspective

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, faced. In this week’s podcast we talk about his experiences in police work and how the book came to be.

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Robert D’Ambola

Cranford Local

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 newspaper, Hi’s Eye.

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Shawn McDonald

Project Home of Cranford Helping Those With a Housing Crisis

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.

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Lisa Orrico (left) and Maggie Feeney (right)

What’s Happening In Downtown Cranford?

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.

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Caren Demyen

Michelle Stavrou

Cranford’s Moments in the Spotlight

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.

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David W. Schoner, Jr.

Cranford’s Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Committee

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.

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Anthony Durante

Cranford Township Administrator Jamie Cryan

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.

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Jamie Cryan, CPM

Cranford Resident Named VFW State Commander

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.

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Jay Boxwell Jr.

Cranford Public Library Plans New Services

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.

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Michael Maziekien

Marissa Lieberman