Cranford Radio

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest transactions you'll ever make. There are seemingly endless questions; how much to offer, how best to position the house for sale, what's the neighborhood like? Realtors, such as Barbara Zeckman of Coldwell Banker Westfield East, can help answer those questions and walk you through the process. In this Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce member profile we talk to Barbara about the Cranford real estate market and another project she's involved in, Cranford Entrepreneurs.

The Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce recognized a number of individuals, organizations and businesses Wednesday night with its "Pride in Cranford" Awards. Cranford Radio attended the event spoke with Barbara Bilger, the co-chair of the program and Todd Sweeney, one of the award recipients.

Three non-profit organizations are coming together on Saturday, October 15 to sponsor the Walk for Wellness and Recovery at Nomahegan Park. Cranford's Monarch Housing Associates, along with the Mental Health Association in New Jersey and National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-New Jersey, will be sponsoring the walk and other events. Cranford Radio spoke with Richard Brown, the CEO of Monarch Housing and Laverne Williams of MHANJ to learn about the event and both organizations.

Not too many years ago things got quiet in downtown Cranford at night. That's certainly not the case these days. A big part of the change is due to the many restaurants that have opened in town. One of the newest is The Thirsty Turtle at the corner of South and S. Union avenues. We talked with Duane Hand, the manager of the restaurant, to learn a bit about it as well as to find out how he got involved in the business, in the latest Cranford Chamber of Commerce member profile.

One sign of fall is the start of a new theater season at the Cranford Dramatic Club. The first play on tap for the 2016-2017 season is Stephen Sondheim's musical, Assassins. Cranford Radio stopped by the Winans Avenue theatre to speak with the show's director, Alan Van Antwerp, as well as cast members Richard Colonna (The Proprietor), Zach Love (Leon Czolgosz) and Matt Burns (Samuel Byck).

You see them in their blue uniforms outside stores and on street corners at Christmastime. But what else do you know about The Salvation Army and their services? Major Ivan Rock is the New Jersey Divisional Commander for the organization and he spoke with Cranford Radio to tell us more about what they do.

For four decades Prevention Links has been working to help Cranford and other Union County residents find the resources to prevent issues related to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. As part of their educational efforts and to raise funds, the organization will be holding a Family Funday and Red Ribbon Drug Prevention Walk on Saturday, October 22 in Nomahegan Park. Cranford Radio spoke with Pam Capaci, the CEO of Prevention Links, as well as Kelley Ryan, the Director of Community Prevention and Liz Costantino, the Social Media and Development Coordinator at the organization's Roselle headquarters.

For the third consecutive year Schmitt's Quest for the Cure returns to Cranford. The event raises money to find a cure for diabetes. Gloriarose and Andrew Schmitt are the two founders of Schmitt's Quest for the Cure and they spoke with Cranford Radio to talk about the event and their personal experience with diabetes.

Despite all our wonderful technology, it seems everyone is busier today than ever. That's what makes what the volunteers at the Cranford First Aid Squad do, even more remarkable. Saving lives, helping the sick and injured is something the squad does 365 days a year. Cranford Radio spoke with three members of the organization, President Kruti Brahmbhatt, Treasurer Daniel Gomez and 2nd Lt. Kailyn Grant, to learn more about what the squad does and how Cranford citizens and business can help.

Thursday through Saturday Cranford plays host to the Zerbini Family Circus. There are two performances each day at 5:15 and 7:30 pm at Hillside Avenue School. The circus has been sponsored by the Cranford Chamber of Commerce for a number of years. Margaret Valencia is part of the circus and she spoke with Cranford Radio.