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Girl Scouts help out
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Police are promoted
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Batons keep on twirling
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FEBRUARY 2022
VOL. 06 NO. 05
MLK Jr. recognized with proclamation By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff. Writer During the Township Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11, Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty and other committee members recognized Martin Luther King Jr. with a proclamation and kind words to reflect his strength, dignity and relentlessness in the fight for equality for black people in the civil rights era, before being assassinated on April 4, 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is recognized annually on the third Monday of January and was celebrated on Jan. 17 this year. In honor of King’s hard work and sacrifice for equality for all, Miller Prunty read the Cranford proclamation honoring King. “Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the leader of this country’s civil rights movement and his voice and words continue to inspire us,” Miller Prunty said during the meeting. “Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1929, the second child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. Whereas in 1957, Dr. King helped organize the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to end segregation using nonviolent protests, led numerous demonstrations against discrimination, including rallies, sit-ins, freedom rides and voter registration drives. “In the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famed ‘I Have a Dream’ speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial,” she continued. “Whereas Dr. King’s last protest took place on March 28, 1968, when he led a march in Memphis, Tenn., in support of striking sanitation workers and whereas millions of people in the United States and around the world mourned when learning of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968. Now, therefore, I, Kathleen Miller Prunty, mayor of the township of Cranford, proclaim Jan. 17, 2022, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the township of Cranford. Let it be a day of service as a continuing acknowledgment and remembrance of Dr. King’s extraordinary accomplishments for the fervent hope that, one day, all people of all nations will be free at last.” Commissioner Gina Black also spoke kind words about King, and shared her favorite quote by King. “We’re coming up on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, and I think that’s always a good time to recognize the contributions and also take some inspiration from his words, and he had many inspiring words,” said Black at the meeting. “I’ll just leave with a simple quote, which will hopefully inspire me for the upcoming year, and that is this: ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’” Commissioner Mary O’Connor, who shared Black’s sentiments, also urged residents to participate in the MLK day of service. “This Monday is a great opportunity to honor Dr. King,” O’Connor said during the meeting, “his work, his dreams and his legacy. There’s a lot of need out there, and the pandemic has just
Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty passes a proclamation in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Township Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 11. increased that need tremendously -— St. Joe’s Soup Kitchen, Raphael’s Life House Inc., Coalition to House the Homeless, the Cranford Family Care food pantry — these are all wonderful organizations, and they do so much for the community, and they really do need your help now. “If you have time Monday, buy a loaf of bread and buy whatever sandwich fixings you’d like to make, wrap them in sandwich bags, put them back in the bag and drop them off,” she continued. “It’s really simple to do that. You can also make monetary donations to any of these organizations through the Martin Luther King Jr. service day. It’s a great day for Cranford to step up and look out for people. Not just in our community, but in all of our neighboring communities also. I will leave you with one other Dr. King quote that I like: ‘Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.’” ORDER NOW
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2 — February 2022 — Cranford Life
Cadette Girl Scouts deliver a silver lining during pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic impacted many businesses and families in a variety of ways in the past 18 months. Through these trying times, many examples of community activism have been highlighted that show people’s willingness to help and serve. Between March and July 2021, two Cadette Girl Scouts from Troop 40051 in Cranford worked closely with Family Promise of Morris County and Family Promise of Union County to assist those severely impacted by the pandemic as part of its Silver Award project. Cadettes Gianna Malecki and Bianca Romero said they felt strongly about helping hardworking families who suffered setbacks during the pandemic. Gianna and Bianca worked with Family Promise to create and deliver spring baskets to children who were in the shelter. They also cooked and delivered meals to families in the shelter who were working hard to overcome their current situations. “We were so excited to deliver the spring baskets knowing the children would have such a great surprise they could enjoy!” Gianna said. The Silver Award is the highest honor a Cadette Girl Scout can receive. In order to achieve the honor, Cadettes identify an issue they care about, research it and take action. Cadettes, who are in sixth, seventh or eighth grade work solo or collaborate in small teams to earn the award and the projects require a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work. At the time of their proj-
Photos Courtesy of Girl Scouts of Cranford
Above left, Cadette Girl Scouts donate to Family Promise of Morris County. Above right, Cadette Girl Scouts cook meals for the families of Family Promise and deliver them. ect, Gianna and Bianca were eighth-grade students at Hillside Avenue School in Cranford. Their efforts also included involving younger Cranford Girl Scout troops with basket construction, meal preparation and writing happy messages on cards. This connection provided younger Girl Scouts with their own avenue to community service.
Nora Godown, congregation coordinator at Family Promise of Morris County, praised the project, saying, “Thank you, Gianna and Bianca, for all the effort and time put into the baskets. We appreciate it so much and our families are going to be thrilled. Thanks for bringing extra joy to so many families’ Easter this year.” Their efforts will be recognized during the 2022 Girl Scouts Awards,
which are presented each spring. The Girl Scouts of Cranford boasts more than 1,139 Girl Scout members in 71 troops and Juliettes, making it one of the largest nonprofit organizations in town. The Cranford Service Unit is a part of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council, which is part of the Girl Scouts of the USA. To learn more, visit www.cranfordgirlscouts.com.
Cranford Life — February 2022 — 3
Cranford Clergy Council hosts MLK commemorative service By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff Writer The Clergy Council and Interfaith Human Relations Committee of Cranford hosted its Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service on Thursday, Jan. 13, to honor the fallen civil rights icon. Opening the program was the Rev. Cameron Overbey, who said the MLK day of service on Monday, Jan. 17, would be recognized with a drive-up-and-dropoff event at the First Presbyterian Church in Cranford. The council was asking for donations of wrapped sandwiches for St. Joseph Social Service Center; diapers and wipes for Raphael’s Life House; new socks, gloves and hats for the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless; and food pantry items for Cranford Family Care. “The theme of tonight is legacies. Both the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself and how Cranford residents and leaders over the years have lived into that legacy with their own hands and feet, pursuing social justice and equity in civil rights,” Overbey said during the service. Receiving the MLK Social Justice Award at St. Mark AME Church of Cranford was Patricia Carter, who was presented the award by the Rev. Deborah Brooks of the Cranford Clergy Council and Interfaith Human Relations Committee. “For those of you who do not know Pat, she’s a third-generation member of St. Marks and is no stranger to acts of kindness,” said Brooks at the service. “A community is only as strong as their support. Ms. Carter has dedicated her time to preparing and serving folks in need of hot meals, monthly groceries for families that are food insecure, emergency groceries for families that run short in the middle of the month, and holiday gifts for individual children and families through the Rahway Food for Friends Soup Kitchen.” Brooks said that Carter had served in various capacities on the executive board of Rahway Food for Friends, where approximately 80 to 120 meals are served weekly, more than 300 children were given holiday gifts and more than 600 cartons of groceries were distributed to families in need. “Pat’s caring heart has expanded her efforts in giving back by also organizing clothing, bedding and winter coat drives at the soup kitchen,” Brooks added. “Pat is aware she cannot fix all problems in the world, but she strives to be a catalyst in propelling all those in contact with her to greater heights, and her life has proven this to be true. Pat is a breast cancer survivor and credits a community of close friends and family propelling her through her difficult time that helped her serve in an extraordinary capacity she does today. Pat hopes her presence in this world will make a difference to the people she encounters, much like those who assisted in her time of need. She no longer only dreams she is doing the work.
Above left, the Rev. Cameron Overbey of Cranford United Methodist Church speaks of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy during the MLK commemorative service on Thursday, Jan. 13., hosted by the Clergy Council and Interfaith Human Relations Committee of Cranford. Above center, Martin Luther King Jr.’s images was displayed numerous times during the commemorative service. Above right, the Rev. Deborah Brooks presents Patricia Carter of St. Mark AME Church of Cranford with the MLK Social Justice Award during the commemorative service. Below left, Patricia Carter of St. Mark AME Church of Cranford, right, speaks after being presented with the MLK Social Justice Award. Below right, Cranford Equity and Inclusivity Initiative member Sherry Williams speaks about the group’s work for equality.
She wants her life to speak for her.” Brooks said that, true to her words, Carter is a hard worker and dedicated to humankind. She has retired from the Social Security Administration after 34 years. Brooks said she currently serves as a trustee at St. Marks AME Church in Cranford, serves at the soup kitchen and is currently a full-time realtor. She is a proud mother of one daughter, Sabrina, and even prouder grandmother of Isaiah. She said Carter truly demonstrates concern for the welfare of others. After being presented with the award, Carter thanked many. “Martin Luther King had many quotes. ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?’” Carter said during her speech. “Everyone can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a good college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subjects inferior to
serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love. If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving forward. I keep my eyes always looking forward. Yesterday was great, but tomorrow is always something new. Thank you, my God, for another day to serve.” Cranford Equity and Inclusivity Initiative member Sherry Williams spoke of the group’s work and King’s impact. “Along with fellow members the Rev. Alfred Brown, Chris Chapman, Chief Ryan Greco, Arthur Hearns, Scott Rubin and Kathleen Miller Prunty, we, with the usage of social media, broadcasted ‘The Talk’ — the sharing of vulnerable personal experiences, afforded a glimpse into the explicit bias felt by some African Americans/Black members in the community,” Williams said during the program. “The positive and negative feedback was an
indication of where Cranford is in our ability to be accepting of others’ struggle and the ability to confront false concepts of the lives of others. “Martin Luther King Jr. is a true visionary of what a united country should become,” she continued. “There is a nonprofit called StoryCorps, where their purpose is to allow individuals to share their life story. They also have a new incentive, which is to bring individuals from different cultures to meet and share and hear each other's stories, to increase understanding of others and increase awareness of commonality. We at Cranford Equity and Inclusivity hope to have increased residents’ and other state members’ participation in including and understanding each other to allow for greater enjoyment in Cranford and what each of us can offer to each other. Please join us, and others within the community, as we strive to emulate Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision.”
4 — February 2022 — Cranford Life
Top left, Shayne Temple takes his oath of office as he is promoted from detective to sergeant while his family holds the Bible on which he is being sworn. Top right, Chief Ryan J. Greco, left, appoints Gianna Ricerca as a probationary patrolman. Bottom left, from left, Public Safety Commissioner Jason Gareis swears Anthony Giannico in as a probationary patrol officer while his wife holds the Bible. Bottom right, Liam Duffy, second from left, is sworn in as a probationary patrol officer by Gareis, left, while Duffy’s family observes the ceremony.
Photos Courtesy of Matthew R. Nazzaro
Cranford PD hosts promotion and appointment ceremony At a ceremony in Municipal Chambers on Wednesday, Dec. 15, the Cranford Police Department promoted Detective Shayne Temple to sergeant and appointed Gianna Ricerca, Anthony Giannico and Liam Duffy as probationary patrol officers. Additionally, Lt. Eugene Perrotta was recognized for his promotion from sergeant to lieutenant. Public Safety Commissioner Jason Gareis and Chief Ryan J. Greco led the ceremony, which was attended by Deputy Mayor Brian Andrews, township administrator Jamie Cryan, township clerk Patricia Donahue, township attorney Ryan Cooper and members of the Cranford Police Department. Prior to his promotion, Temple was assigned as a detective in the Traffic Bureau. Additionally, Temple served as a field training officer, drug recognition expert and as a member of the special operations and a crisis intervention team. Temple is a certified alcotest operator, Share the Keys facilitator, New Jersey state crossing guard trainer, drug evaluation and classification expert, and Police Training Commission certified instructor. He will be assigned as a supervisor in the Patrol Division. Ricerca is currently a volunteer for both the Mountainside and Westfield rescue squads. She is a certified emergency medical technician, an emergency medical dispatcher and 9-1-1 basic-telecommunicator certified. Ricerca was expected
to graduate from Kean University with a degree in communications and a minor in criminal justice in December 2021. Ricerca has been employed as a communications officer with the Cranford Police Department since July 2021. Giannico was enlisted in the Air Force, assigned as a KC-135 crew chief at McConnell Air Force Base in Sedgwick County, Kansas. He was also deployed to the Kandahar and Bagram region of Afghanistan, supervising a crew of three. He served in the Air Force until August 2020, when he received an honorable discharge. He earned numerous commendations and medals while in the Air Force, including the Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, NATO Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror, Air Force Longevity and Expeditionary Service Ribbon. Prior to joining the Cranford Police Department, Giannico was employed by the Sea Girt Police Department as a Class II special law enforcement officer, after graduating from the Monmouth County Police Academy. Duffy is a 2015 graduate of Cranford High School and a lifelong resident of Cranford. While in high school, Duffy was a four-year student athlete, all while maintaining high academic standards. Duffy has an associate’s degree in business administration from the County College of Morris and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ramapo
College. At Ramapo College, Duffy was the captain of the college’s baseball team. In January, he and Ricerca will enter the John H. Stamler Police Academy as members of the 126th recruit class. Greco also recognized the promotion of Perrotta to lieutenant. Perrotta is a resident of Cranford and a 1995 graduate of Arthur L. Johnson High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Drew University and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law, and was admitted to the bar in 2002. In 2006, Perrotta pivoted in career choices and attended the John
H. Stamler Police Academy as an alternate-route candidate, being chosen by his recruit class to serve as class president. Aside from his day-to-day duties, Perrotta serves in the arduous task of accreditation manager, ensuring the continued accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. Additionally, he has worked in conjunction with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office as the department’s humane law enforcement officer and domestic violence liaison. He will become a watch commander in the Patrol Division.
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Cranford Life — February 2022 — 5
Zimmermann elected chair of the NJ Council of County Colleges
Mary M. Zimmermann sion Committee of the Association of Community College Trustees and regularly represents the college at ACCT events. Zimmermann is a self-described professional volunteer. In recognition of this, in 2019, she received the Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award given by
College Women’s Club to meet on Valentine’s Day On Monday, Feb. 14, Michael Norris, former educator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and founder of Armchair Art Tours, will speak about French impressionist art at an event presented by the College Women’s Club of Cranford. The program will specifically look at the life of French painter Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot and her relationship with Edouard Manet. Meet and greet with treats and sweets at 7:30 p.m.; the program will immediately follow at 8 p.m. The event will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, 11 Springfield Ave. in Cranford. For additional information, email the club at cranfordcollegeclub@gmail.com.
the Union County Commission on the Status of Women sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners through the Union County Office on Women. Zimmermann is an active volunteer with SAGE Eldercare’s Meals on Wheels program and the Loaves and Fishes food pantry at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Summit. She volunteers with the Summit Affordable Housing Corporation and served for 16 years as one of five commissioners for the Summit Housing Authority, which deals with affordable housing for low-income residents of Summit. She also finds time to assist the United Way of Summit. “Union County College is proud of Mrs. Zimmermann’s election as chair of the NJCCC. She is an exemplary member of our boards and an outstanding community leader who has dedicated many years of service to the NJCCC,” said Union County
College board of trustees Chairperson Victor M. Richel. “There is no one more deserving of this leadership role. Her commitment to and passion for Union’s students is unmatched. She is an asset to our boards, and we are fortunate to have her represent Union at the state level.”
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Union County College congratulates Mary M. Zimmermann, chairperson of the college’s board of governors, for being elected chairperson of the executive committee of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. The NJCCC provides statewide leadership for the advancement of New Jersey’s 18 community colleges. Zimmermann, of Summit, is a 2001 alumna of Union County College and a zealous advocate for the needs of Union students. She has served as a member of the college’s board of trustees for more than a decade. She is also a member and prior chairperson of the College’s foundation board. Prior to being elected as chairperson of the NJCCC, she served as vice chairperson and is the Union County College board liaison to the NJCCC. On a national level, Zimmermann previously served on the Diversity, Equity and Inclu-
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6 — February 2022 — Cranford Life
Coach continues to teach baton twirling in Cranford gym By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff Writer The batons have continued twirling for Union High School coach Nicole Marie Placca, who also teaches the art of baton twirling — a sport that may seem almost extinct — at Diamond Gymnastics Academy in Cranford. Bringing the intricate art to the youngsters of Cranford, Placca said her goal is to show young children and teens that they can be an athlete. Placca, who hails from Kenilworth, became acquainted with baton twirling in her youth and has been Union High School’s baton-twirling team’s coach since 2011. “Diamond Gymnastics is celebrating their 35th year and are family owned and operated,” Placca said on Friday, Jan. 7. “Diamond Gymnastics has offered a baton twirling and dance program since 2003, when the then wellknown baton studio, Patti’s Dolls of Union, closed its doors after decades of being the only private twirling studio in Union County. I have run this program with Diamond Gymnastics Academy since 2018. Recently, Sunburst Gymnastics in Union has allowed me aboard to offer an activity that differs from the common youth programs. I am also proud to be offering more classes in Union County that will be coming up in the spring, summer and fall, along with a summer clinic.
Photos Courtesy of Nicole Marie Placca
Students of Diamond Gymnastics Academy in Cranford practice the art of baton twirling, as taught them by Nicole Marie Placca. “My goal is to show individuals of all ability levels that they can be an athlete,” she continued. “There is too much pressure on children to feel like they have to ‘fit in’ with certain characteristics, in order to be a part of a sport or a team. I run my program on the motto that success is individual and that it means something different for everyone. For some children, just having the courage to attend class
and learn something new is a major win. The goal is to allow everyone the ability to learn a skill and be part of a team.” According to Placca, Diamondettes Baton Twirl & Dance Group offers a variety of competitive and noncompetitive class options, which are designed to fit the student and not the other way around — unlike many performance teams, which require the participants to meet a certain skill level. No experience is neces-
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sary. The goal is to build confidence and motivation, and produce success by what that means to the individual, based on their needs and abilities. The winter season began on Saturday, Jan. 8, and competition season is fast approaching for the Diamondettes. Placca, who has consistently produced awardwinning students and currently has seven state championships, detailed their plans See BATONS, Page 7
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Batons continue twirling for students in Cranford gym (Continued from Page 6) to prepare for the season and how she feels about having such accolades attached to her name. “Our competition team has been choreographing since late summer, and, as we approach the winter season, we will continue refining their skills,” Placca said. “I also have many students from my summer and fall sessions that were not interested in competition but now have elected to do so, after gaining confidence in the sport. “I run one of the few public high school baton-twirling teams left in New Jersey, and this is the team that got these accolades,” she continued. “Seeing high school students who have never been athletes transform into confident performers of such a difficult skill made me realize that, if older students can achieve such amazing goals in a short time, then younger students can soar with many years ahead to grow. I watched quiet and shy students who lacked confidence truly blossom, and, as an educator, I want to see younger students learn their selfworth as early as possible. I have seen firsthand what twirling has given all of my students who, respectively, didn’t fit the criteria to participate in other activities that they wanted to. They felt as though they could never be a part of something, and they set amazing records for their school.”
Photos Courtesy of Nicole Marie Placca
Students hold their diplomas, earned after completing Nocole Marie Placca’s course in baton twirling. Placa said the beauty of baton twirling is that it fits the individual and not the other way around, which is how many performance-based teams work. Because of this, she said baton twirling is perfect for individuals with no prior experience, while it complements the skills of those who have done dance, gymnastics, cheer., etc.
Owner of Sunburst Gymnastics Mike Onsuka spoke highly of Placca as an instructor and talked about how baton twirling is well suited to the gym’s other offerings. “Baton twirling fits in well with our gymnastics and cheerleading programs,” Onsuka said on Tuesday, Jan. 11. “The
more programs we offer, the more we can get kids active and let them explore their interests. At Sunburst, we work hard to give the students a positive experience in these sports and teach them the skills that they can also take with them outside the gym. This is something we are passionate about and enjoy doing.”
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8 — February 2022 — Cranford Life
Green Thumb Garden Club gnomes are a big hit By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff Writer The Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford has been bringing the community together since it was founded in 1954 for the purpose of studying all aspects of the fine art of flower design, gardening and the conservation of trees, shrubs, flowers and birds. Its latest venture is rather unusual: reusing artificial Christmas trees, the club constructs garden gnomes. Some, not all, will have a wooden stump base as a support. Green Thumb Garden Club President Deb Murphy spoke of the club and how they thought of the idea of making garden gnomes, which spawned partnering with Downtown Cranford for a Garden Gnome Scavenger Hunt. “Green Thumb Garden Club is one of three garden clubs in Cranford, and our club meets once a month,” said Murphy on Sunday, Dec. 19. “Traditionally, we accommodated women who worked and still enjoyed and wanted to garden. Green Thumb traditionally has been running a holiday boutique every December (on) the second Sunday after Thanksgiving, in conjunction with the Cranford House Tour. We run the boutique and we also participate in a boutique at the Methodist Church.” Three or four years ago, at the Cranford United Methodist Church, Murphy said, a customer came to their table and
Photos Courtesy of Deb Murphy and Ellen McHenry
Various garden gnomes are pictured at a wide variety of locations and are displayed in different manners throughout Cranford. asked if they had any gnomes. She said she hadn't heard about gnomes at that time, so she asked her about them. Murphy said she did some research and, the following year, she crafted a design for a gnome using a tomato cage with fresh greens. A few sold, and it snowballed from there. She said they were then asked to make 10 the following year, 2020, for the scavenger hunt. She said people were contacting them and they had a waiting list last year for gnomes. “They bring a lot of cheer and they spark joy. Each one is unique. They have a different hat, different nose, whiskers, they’re holding a stick, they have other decorations on them — so each one is very different,” she continued. “During the scavenger hunt, people were going around and it was really quite competitive, trying to find them, and some were difficult to
find last year. There was one in a store window in particular that was very difficult for people to find. But most of them were out in plain sight and scattered around town. The idea was to encourage people to walk downtown during holiday shopping and, at the same time, have some fun with the family and with chil-
dren being outside because, last year, being outside was important.” For last year’s scavenger hunt, participating residents completed a form with the location of the gnome. Each gnome has a punny name assigned to it, such as Sherlock Gnome, Gnome Worry Be Happy, Gnome Alone and Hanging With My Gnomies. Residents of all ages participated. Murphy explained how it worked: If residents could identify each gnome with the location and get all 10 right, they were entered into a drawing. All 10 gnomes were raffled off. This year, 10 gnomes are again being raffled off for the scavenger hunt. Their sizes vary — some are about 2 feet tall, the smallest in size, with the largest standing more than 6 feet tall. The average gnome is 3 to 4 feet tall. “Even though the gnomes alone do bring in funds as a fundraiser for us, we See GNOME, Page 9
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Gnomes scavenger hunt delights the community (Continued from Page 8) also do a lot more than just the gnomes — we craft individual, miniature, fresh boxwood trees, with each one decorated uniquely. This year, we made over 100 fresh green arrangements to sell. We do raise enough to complete our projects around town, and we’re continually trying to fundraise so we can continue to beautify around Cranford,” Murphy said. “Most people like to put the gnomes out on their front porch, so it’s really neat to see them as you drive around town, and you spot the gnomes in different neighborhoods on different people’s porches and we’ve learned from our customers, too, that they’re putting lights on them, lights on the base of the gnome or the hat, or their walking stick. They put them on their porch, their tree stump, in their garden; in different places.
The neighbors are doing a nice job displaying them for the holidays. “We're excited to partner with Downtown Cranford. We have a very close-knit community and all of our volunteer organizations support one another, so we’d like to be able to contribute to the downtown and bring some joy during the holiday season to our residents,” she continued. “We love the fact that there’s so much enthusiasm for the gnomes and people are entering the contest, wanting to win them. We’re not sure about next year. We thought that the craze might die down, so we’re waiting to see what happens next year.” Green Thumb Garden Club Vice President Ellen McHenry said she was thrilled at the popularity of the garden gnomes. “We’re happy to participate with Cranford. When the pandemic happened, I …
people were hesitant to go into businesses. Having the scavenger hunt outside was wonderful and Cranford really has a sense of community, so we’re very happy to participate and partner with Downtown Cranford,” McHenry said on Sunday, Dec. 19. “If they call us to do something, we’re happy to do it. This helped give our club more of an identity and, even if we didn’t get the kudos, we loved what we were doing. We know how well we do, and it makes the ladies of our club feel very proud to be able to say we’re responsible for that — it’s a sense of pride that, whether we get the credit, we know we did it and we feel good about ourselves.” Cranford Downtown manager Caren Demyen praised the Green Thumb Garden Club’s Gnome Scavenger Hunt, saying how happy they are to showcase the amazing work the club does for
the Cranford community. “We created a form for the community to download for our Gnome Scavenger Hunt. All the gnomes are throughout the downtown — a few more difficult to find than others,” Demyen said on Friday, Dec. 17. “Once the form is complete, they email it back to us to win a gnome of their own. It has been a lot of fun for not only residents but also our business community. The businesses are always excited to have a gnome outside or inside their store. It’s also great foot traffic, so people can explore all of our wonderful shops. “The Green Thumb Garden Club has been a wonderful partner on not only this event but other projects in the downtown (area). It's a great partnership and we are so happy to showcase the amazing work these volunteers do for the Cranford community.”
IN MEMORIAM • AUGUSTYN – Edward Martin Jr., of Sanibel Island, Fla., formerly of Garwood; Nov. 18. Owned Augie’s Auto Repair, Cranford. Husband, grandfather, 65. • BAGENSKI – Rosalie, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., formerly of Cranford; Nov. 24. Retired benefits administrator. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 87. • BALL – Virginia A. “Ginny,” of Hobe Sound, Fla., formerly of Verona, Cranford; Dec. 19. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 90. • BITZ – Raymond C. Jr., of Cranford; Dec. 17. U.S. Air Force veteran. Retired from the Cranford Fire Department. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, 79. • CLAYTON – Marie C., of Cranford, formerly of Jersey City; Jan. 1. Elementary school teacher. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, 82. • CUYLEAR – Marie Coleman, of Cranford; Jan. 7. Was 87. • DELGRIPPO – Joseph Thomas, of Cranford, formerly of Newark; Dec. 3. Korean War Marine vet, Little League coach, widower, father, grandfather, 88. • DILORENZO – Bessie M., of Cranford; Jan. 6. Widow, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, 87. • FRAZIER – Patricia A., of Cranford; Dec. 30. Was 70. • HARDING – Beverly Lewis, of Mountainside, formerly of Hillside, Cranford; Jan. 8. With Cadet Nurse Corps, World War II. Widow, mother, grandmother, 95. • KLEIN – Peter Sr., of Cranford; Dec. 6. World War II veteran, retired union bricklayer with Jet/Saxon Construction Cos. Father, grandfather, uncle, 99. • LEVINS – Margaret Anne “Peggy,” of Cranford, formerly of Point Pleasant Beach; Nov. 21. Registered nurse, PTA, soccer coach. Widow, mother, grandmother, 88. • LINCK – Eleanor E., of Cranford; Dec. 12. Executive secretary, later worked for Macy’s Credit and Data Trace. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, 77. • MAHER – Brian Patrick, of Morristown, formerly of Cranford; Jan. 10. Attorney, softball player, brother, uncle, cousin, 43. • MICHALS – Marian Catherine, of Cranford and Spring Lake; Nov. 9. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 92. • MUELLER – Charles Joseph Sr., of Cranford; Dec. 4. Marine vet. Retired from JC Penney’s Office of Distribution. Widower, father, grandfather, uncle, great-uncle. • O’LEARY – Tim, of Cranford; Dec. 16. Husband, father, brother, uncle, 61. • ROGERS – Irene C., of Cranford, formerly of Westchester, N.Y.; Dec. 11. Elementary school teacher. Widow, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, 94. • SERRATELLI – Mary, of Warren, formerly of Newark, Roselle Park and Cranford; Dec. 6. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, 85. • SINNOTT – Grace E., of Cranford; Nov. 23. Retired administrative assistant. Wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, 83. • SLATTERY – James Patrick, of Cranford, formerly of Jersey City; Nov. 30. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, 79. • ZBOYAN – Edward J., of Cranford; Dec. 16. Navy veteran. Worked for L’Oreal U.S.A. in Clark. NJ Audubon Society member. Husband, uncle, great uncle.
In Memoriam is a monthly feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.
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10 — February 2022 — Cranford Life
Cranford holds reorganization meeting for new year By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff Writer The township rang in the New Year with its reorganization meeting on Sunday, Jan. 2. During the meeting, Gina Black was sworn in as a township commissioner while Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty was nominated and sworn in as the chairperson of the Township Committee, in addition to being unanimously voted to serve another year as mayor. Jason Gareis was also nominated as vice chairperson and deputy mayor. Additional appointments were Mary O’Connor as the commissioner of Finance, Brian Andrews as the commissioner of Public Works and Engineering, and Juan Carlos Nordelo as a Class II Planning Board member for a one-year term, among a host of others appointed to various boards. For the first time, three female commissioners have been appointed to the five-member Cranford Township Committee, making a female majority. “I want to express my congratulations to Commissioner Black for officially being a member of the committee. I feel very confident you’re going to do a great job.
and others on their appointments, adding she looked forward to working with them in 2022. “I want to thank my colleagues in the clerk’s office,” said Donahue at the reorganization meeting. “Per usual, you rose to the difficult challenge. Last week, there were many people sick, and you rose to the challenge of putting out 97 resolutions on the reorganization meeting agenda during a day where, each night, we left that office not knowing who was going to get sick that night. Per usual, your humor, your stamina … is something that I’m indebted for, I’m inspired by and I’m grateful for. Donahue then thanked the mayor, particularly for her work with the volunteer directory, which proved an undertaking. “It’s easy to work when you are shown respect, and I feel that from the mayor,” she said, adding that the respect and sense of workplace camaraderie has proved extraordinary. “Here’s what township colleagues usually say to me when we end a phone call: ‘If you need me, call me. I mean it.’ It’s an unusual and great work environment, and I’m very much in appreciation of the See MAYOR, Page 11
Above left, Commissioner Gina Black is sworn in during the Cranford reorganization meeting on Sunday, Jan. 2. Above right, township administrator Jamie Cryan congratulates Mayor Miller Prunty and Commissioner Gina Black during the reorganization meeting. You’ve already hit the ground running,” township administrator Jamie Cryan said during the meeting. “Congratulations once again to Mayor Miller Prunty for being chosen again by your peers to lead this committee. … It was a very difficult year, but, through it all, this committee and our professionals here were doing
everything possible to work for the residents. You did an incredible job, and I’m very hopeful for 2022, and I do think that we will do an incredible job for the residents as well.” Township clerk Patricia Donahue congratulated Black, Gareis, Miller Prunty, township attorney Ryan Cooper
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Cranford Life — February 2022 — 11
Mayor is nominated, sworn in to serve another year (Continued from Page 10) cooperation that the clerk’s department consistently receives. I want to thank members of the Township Committee. Your concern for me and our department was very helpful. You called, you reached out to us, and you wanted to make sure that we were healthy this week and last week, and that went a long way toward us meeting our goals.” Black said she was honored to be appointed to her new position as commissioner and acknowledged the tremendous effort that went into pulling off the meeting. She said the decision to move to a virtual format was not an easy one to swallow, but that dedicated professionals did what needed to be done to make it work, and that was very appreciated. “Thank you to my family who were here to support me today in person,” she continued. “My father; brother, sister and their families; and my sons, Aaron and Nick — I owe a strong sense of right and wrong, as well as a healthy sense of humor. To my sons, Aaron and Nick: Thank you for your support and putting up with my life on the campaign trail. The Rev. (Alfred E.) Brown: Thank you for your words of wisdom. And a very special thank you to Sen. Tom Kean for being here for my swearing in. Throughout the years, Tom has been an undying supporter for all things Cranford and a great cheerleader for me personally.
Above left, township clerk Patricia Donahue offers her congratulations at the meeting to those who were appointed to various boards and committees. Above right, Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty is nominated and sworn in as chairperson for the Township Committee at the meeting, as well as unanimously voted to serve another year as mayor. Black then congratulated Miller Prunty and Gareis on being appointed chairperson and vice chairperson to the 2022 Township Committee. “Thank you in advance to all of my fellow commissioners for your help in bringing me up to speed on the finer points of local government,” she added. “Thank you to all the municipal employees that have already reached out to provide any support needed. I look for-
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ward to working with you all.” The mayor then took the opportunity to thank various people, as well as describe what’s next for Cranford. “Let me once again congratulate and welcome Commissioner Gina Black as a colleague on the Township Committee. I look forward to working with you and I look forward to a good year,” Miller Prunty said during the meeting. “We begin 2022 facing many of the same
challenges as we did 12 months ago. This year, we continue to deal with the impacts of the pandemic on our residents and possibly on our businesses again. We’re grateful for the support that you’ve shown to all of our local shops, restaurants and services businesses, and it’s important to continue that effort, because these days are unpredictable.” The mayor said that fighting for an original flood-control project is a priority, as too many residents’ lives and homes have been turned upside down by flooding, and a regional solution is needed. A few days after Tropical Storm Ida, she said, she reached out to Millburn Mayor Tara Prupis, whose downtown had been totally devastated, and they discussed organizing mayors in towns affected by Rahway River flooding. “Waiting and hoping for a big project is no longer enough,” said Miller Prunty. “Simultaneously,” she continued, “we need to work on a parallel track to identify what we can do locally, from small projects to big projects, to mitigate flooding throughout Cranford, whether it’s from the Rahway River or flash flooding. The township has already made the decision to bring in experts to examine what has been done in the past and what measures we might consider in the future. Also, the Flood Control Advisory Board will be restructured and refocused to work on this major issue.”
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Above left, Girl Scout Cadette Troop 40836 — from left, Aubrey Walsh, Maddie Petino, Brooke Nixon, Kira Frydman, Cassidy Walsh, Rachel Kielczynski, Isabella Parente, Grace McDevitt, Evelia DeMera and Giuliana Testa — stand with Livingston Avenue School Principal Cari Lopez, cen-
ter, at the dedication of a Mindfulness Garden at Livingston Avenue School. Above right, the LAS Mindfulness Garden is alongside the school to which the members of Troop 40836 said farewell. Their project earned the troop a Girl Scout Bronze Award.
Girl Scout Cadette Troop 40836 creates garden to say farewell Graduations typically mark a time when students end their educational careers at one institution and move on to the next adventure ahead. Many times, the focus is solely on the future and what lays ahead. This was not the case for Cranford Girl Scout Cadette Troop 40836. Cadette Troop 40836, which had been together throughout their three years at Livingston Avenue School, felt compelled to give back to their second home even after graduation. Troop 40836 decided that the best way to honor their experi-
ence at LAS was to create a project that would help future generations of students. Troop 40836 created a plan to engineer a Mindfulness Garden, which would serve as a retreat for all LAS students. This effort brought the Scouts together with their former school principal, Cari Lopez, to realize their vision for the school grounds. In order to fund their project, Troop leader Faith McDevitt said, “The girls had a two-day ‘Make and Bake Sale’ to raise funds for the garden and then built the
garden after school and on weekends in September.” The process of envisioning and creating the Mindfulness Garden was more than just a way to give back to their beloved school; this was also an opportunity for team building. Cadette Grace McDevitt said, “By working on this project, I learned the importance of working together as a team, and patience.” This project has created a place at LAS where students can retreat for a moment of calm. Cadette Troop 40836 was awarded the Bronze Award at a ceremony on Monday,
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Nov. 8, at the Cranford United Methodist Church. They presented their project to the audience in attendance and proudly received their recognitions. The Girl Scouts of Cranford has more than 1,139 members, making it one of the largest nonprofit organizations in town. The Cranford Service Unit is a part of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council, which is part of the Girl Scouts of the USA. For more information on the Girls Scouts of Cranford, visit www.cranfordgirlscouts.com.
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