Cranford Radio

It's one thing to read history in a book. It's a whole other thing to have lived it. Rabbi Sidney Shanken served as the rabbi of Temple Beth-El in Cranford from 1957 until 1980 and he took part in two of the biggest historic events of the 20th century; World War II and the civil rights movement. Shanken flew 54 combat missions over Europe as part of the US Army Air Corps. After being wounded he returned to the States. 

This was not the only time, though, that he served his country. In the early 1960s, as legal segregation and discrimination were being fought, he again felt called. He traveled to the South and became a Freedom Rider and marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Alabama. 

Cranford Radio had the honor of speaking with Rabbi Shanken as he recounted some of his experiences.

Dozens of volunteers turned out to assemble personal care kits and other items for the homeless on Martin Luther King Day at the First Presbyterian Church. Two of the organizers of the event, Janice Grevious and Cindy Hannen, spoke with Cranford Radio about the event what else will be happening this week.

A draft report on potential redevelopment of a section of North Avenue East in Downtown Cranford is the top story on Cranford Radio headlines this week. You'll also hear about the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

It's a busy weekend for Cranford sports and the forecast shows early spring-like temperatures on Friday followed by a quick return of winter weather. 

Among the events this weekend, you can pick up a used book at a great price at the Cranford Library. On Monday, make Martin Luther King Day a day to give back.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders have elected Elizabeth resident Sergio Granados to serve as their chairman for 2018. At Sunday's reorganization meeting, Granados outlined his initiatives for the coming year. On Thursday, he spoke with Cranford Radio to discuss them further.

One new member joins the Cranford Township Committee and Cranford digs out and tries to stay warm following a storm. I doubt anyone will feel any warmth listening to the weekend forecast, but you can keep you mind off the weather by taking in a CHS or Union County College sporting event.

The annual township reorganization meeting took place Tuesday evening at the municipal building. Jean-Albert Maisonneuve was sworn into office for his first term on the township committee. Patrick Giblin took the oath of office to begin his second term. Additionally, a number of appointments were made to various township boards and committees. The township committee elected Ann Dooley as Deputy Mayor and Tom Hannen, Jr. as Mayor. At the conclusion of the meeting, Cranford Radio spoke with Hannen about the year ahead.

Taxes and deer hunting make the headlines in this week's edition of Cranford Radio Headlines. You'll hear the cold, and a bit snowy forecast, get up-to-date on Cranford High School sports and learn how you can end 2017 by making the donation of life.

A promotion and appointments at the Cranford Police Department, farewell to an outgoing township commissioner and the installation of new rabbis at Temple Beth El Mekor Chayim top Cranford news this week.

You’ll also hear about the possibility of a white Christmas and a rundown of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services in town.

Community members gathered Thursday evening at the First Presbyterian Church for the second annual Homeless Persons' Vigil. The event remembers homeless people throughout Union County who died during the past year. The event is organized by a number of non-profit and inter-faith groups, including Cranford's Monarch Housing Associates.

Prior to the service Cranford Radio spoke with four people involved with the event, Rev. Caroline Unzaga, Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church; Amy Jones, Manager of Volunteer Engagement for Family Promise; Linda Flores-Tober, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless and Nicole Allen, who once was homeless.

Cranford Police were involved in a pursuit this week, meanwhile the holiday decorations on John Street received some statewide notice. Santa will be busy on Saturday and Cranford's menorah lighting will take place Sunday evening. This, Cranford sports and the weekend weather are all part of this week's Cranford Radio headlines.