Cranford Radio

This week's headlines look at the snow and the problems it caused as well as a "shelter in place" which affected two Cranford schools. Cranford baseball season kicks off Friday afternoon in a home contest and we'll get to enjoy some sunshine Saturday and Sunday.

While Patrick Giblin is at the start of his second three-year term on the Cranford Township Committee, Cranford Radio looks to learn a little more about those people who volunteer their time to serve the town in elective office beyond their public role. Continuing a series where we previously interviewed Mayor Tom Hannen and Commissioner Mary O'Connor, we sat down with Commissioner Giblin to hear about his early years and what drew him to elective office.

Dancing, singing and acting all come together in the Cranford High School spring musical, Legally Blonde. The play will be presented on March 16 and 17 at 7:30 pm and on Sunday, March 18 at 2 pm. Several members of the cast, Katrina Wischusen, Daniel Klimko, Pria McNeil, Nora Sullivan, Noah Wohlsen, Max Kopla and Haley Baranowski took time out after a rehearsal to talk to Cranford Radio about the play and their thoughts on being a part of it.

If we can make it through some rough weather Friday and early Saturday morning, it looks like a pretty good weekend. In the headlines from the past week, Gabe Bailer has assumed the role of Downtown Director from the retired Kathleen Miller Prunty. The survey for the draft downtown strategic plan is now available for your comments.

There will be extended hours for the Cranford Public Library starting in April. 

The girls swimming team and the cheerleading squad will be busy this weekend and the Union County College baseball and lacrosse teams are scheduled to start their seasons.

Residents received an update on a draft of the Downtown Cranford strategic plan Thursday evening and the superintendent of schools sent a letter to parents following the mass murder at a Florida high school. These stories top Cranford Radio headlines for the week of February 23. The CHS wrestlers and the Union County College Owls are in tournaments this weekend and rain dominates the weekend forecast.

A number of township residents, business owners and downtown property owners gathered Thursday evening at the Community Center to hear a presentation on a strategic plan that's being developed for Downtown Cranford. Following the presentation, they were given the opportunity to rate the goals and objectives in the draft plan. The presentation was given by Anthony Durante, the chairman of the District Management Corporation and the head of the Strategic Planning Committee. He spoke with Cranford Radio about the plan and what lies ahead.

The third production of the Cranford Dramatic Club's season is now playing at the Winans Avenue playhouse. Crimes of the Heart is being performed the weekends of February 16 and 22. Cranford Radio spoke with director Maurice Moran and Cranford resident Maeve Brady, who plays Lenny.

This weekend's update brings you news from the Downtown Management Corporation and the Cranford Police Department. It's tournament time for Cranford High School sports and it looks like winter weather will make a messy return to the area Saturday night.

Get all the news, sports, weather and weekend events in this Presidents' Day Weekend edition of Cranford Radio Headlines.

Buffalo wings are seemingly available in almost every restaurant these days. A native of the Buffalo area recently opened a restaurant in Downtown Cranford that lets area residents not only see how the originals taste but also offers some other favorites from Western New York. Michael Maggio is the owner of Little Buffalo and we sat down in the restaurant after the lunch rush to talk about it and what led him to open an eatery.

You might not see the Cesar-Kai Academy or The MAX Challenge as you drive past 777 Walnut Avenue, but tucked in the rear of the building are two Cranford businesses that will help anyone from three to 93 get and stay in shape. Mario Cesario has made his passion for fitness a business that's continuing to grow with a new center in Watchung and, coming soon, an after-school program in Cranford. Hear when Mario has to say in this Cranford Radio interview.