Cranford Radio

In 2024 a new organization made its debut in town. PFLAG Cranford-Union wrote that it "hopes to be a beacon of support, advocacy, and education across Union County." As you might imagine, June, as Pride Month, has been a busy season for the organization. Katie Webber, who serves as the non-profit's president, joins me on the podcast to talk about why the chapter was created, what it's doing and its goals.

During school days you'll find Sean W. Bagan in a CHS classroom teaching French. Outside of school hours he's working on a dystopian trilogy that takes place in a new world. The title of the first book, which was published this year, is "On Ravens & Riddles: From the Shelves of the Noktern." Sean joins me on the podcast to not only discuss the book but why he was drawn to being an author and a bit of what he has planned.

There are many reasons a person will seek out a therapist. It might be due to a major life event or a long-brewing issue a person is trying to cope with. In other cases, someone may view therapy in the same way others go to the gym. They want to maintain or improve their health.Serenium Therapy & Wellness opened their office in Cranford at 25 Commerce Drive in January. It joins offices in Brick and Manalapan. Joining me on the podcast are Allison Devlin, Serenium's clinical director, and Keri Roberts, the marketing director.

From its Depression Era beginnings, the school now known as Union College of Union County, NJ, has sought to provide a path for students who might not be able to afford a four-year college education. That mission continues today and the Union County College Foundation is the means to assist students who need financial assistance. Its role today is more than just traditional scholarship help. For example, it also provides food assistance to students who are hungry.Doug Rouse is UCNJ's Vice President for Institutional Advancement. He talks about the work of the foundation and how it serves students.

Christine Del Negro is a certified EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practitioner and a mindfulness coach. One of the techniques she uses is a process called tapping. On this episode Christine talks about what tapping is and how it can be a useful practice in releasing stress and helping users.Christine's business is School4joy and she talks about other aspects of her work and how people can use the techniques she teaches anytime on their own.

It's difficult to think of a tragedy more difficult to deal with as a child than the death of a parent or sibling. Kids don't deal with grief in the same way as adults and don't have the same tools to help them through the process.Imagine is an organization formed to help children deal with their suffering. The non-profit offers a number of services and turns to the community to help support its work. One way is through Greta's Run, taking place on May 18.This week on the podcast I talk with Imagine's executive director, Lindsay Schambach, and Bob Kelly, a Cranford resident who serves on the organization's board of trustees as treasurer.

Legally Blonde: The Musical closes out the 2024/2025 season of the Cranford Dramatic Club with a run from May 2 to May 18. Three principles involved with the show are my guests this week on the podcast. They are Edgar Hildago, the director, Jaimie Bass, the choreographer and Melissa Calicchio, who plays Elle Woods, the lead of the show.

For the fifth year, the Cranford Film Festival will take place at the Cranford Theater. The festival is just one part of Arts Day, which will also feature, weather permitting, performances at Eastman Clock Plaza. Money raised through the day's activities benefits the Cranford Schools Friends of Performing Arts. My guests on this week's episode are Stephanie Levine Ashinoff, Anne Marie Bornstad and Kristine Gaffney.

Often when I do an interview on the podcast I feel as if I'm introducing a person to the Cranford community. In this week's episode, I don't feel that's necessary. Matt Nazzaro grew up in town and has spent his career as a Cranford police officer. In December Matt was sworn-in as the Cranford Police Department's 12th police chief.While Matt is well known by the Cranford community I hope you'll still learn a few things about him and his plans as police chief.

John Patterson grew up in Cranford. After high school he worked for about eight years at the Cranford Public Library. More recently, he's lived in Brooklyn. On Thursday, April 17, his latest play, The Last Supper, will debut in the Gene Frankel Theater at 24 Bond Street in Manhattan.John is my guest on this episode. We talk about the creative process, the play and his growing up years in Cranford. 

Many fields have pinnacle awards. Of course there's the Tony Award on Broadway and the Pulitizer for journalism. Among community colleges, the Aspen Prize is considered by many as the top award. This year, UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is one of ten finalists for the prize. The announcement of the winner comes April 17 in Washington, DC.This week on the podcast I speak with Dr. Bernard Polnariev, the Vice President for Administrative Services at UCNJ. We chat not only about the Aspen Prize but about how both community colleges and their students are evolving.

In October 2024 Cranford Radio featured its first AI-hosted podcast. It was amazing and scary. As the technology continues to evolve, there's a new experimental program by a company called Sesame. In a demo available online you can chat live with one of two voices; Maya and Miles. Both have distinct personalities. In this week's episode I have Maya as my guest. I wanted to not only demonstrate the technology but to show what this particular AI program knows about Cranford. We talk about topics such as the Rahway River, Downtown Cranford and CHS. The interview is only lightly edited to show some of the challenges of talking to a computer in real time. 

Emilio DiFabio's first line in a performance was "Chop the tree." Since that inauspicious beginning, Emilio's roles have become much more noteworthy. Most recently, he plays the role of the coroner in American Trash. While being an actor is his latest adventure, he continues working at his company, DiFabio Construction.On this week's podcast he talks about how he became involved in acting but also about his Cranford-based firm.

When you stop to think about it we're pitching all the time. It might be something informal, such as telling a friend about a great restaurant they should try. Sometimes the stakes are higher. You want a potential customer to buy your product or service or you're hoping to convince investors to finance your business idea. Lori Stahl Liegeois has spent a career crafting pitches. Now she and her business, The Pitch Collective, are helping others refine their abilities to create effective pitches for their own businesses. Lori is my guest on this week's Cranford Radio podcast.

It's been less than a year that Cranford Neighbors has been published. In that time, the magazine has featured a number of families in town. They come from a variety of backgrounds but they all have fascinating stories to tell.The man behind the publication is Pete Coates. The periodical also includes day trips, recipes and more and it's made possible by area businesses which advertise in the montly.This week I turn the tables on Pete and showcase his story and how Cranford Neighbors came to be. 

In the 1980s Karen Coburn was attending Cranford High School. Some of her friends and their families had become involved with the People of Hope, a Catholic covenant community. Many years later, after moving to Los Angeles, Karen became interested in what happened to the group and those from Cranford who became a part of it. That interest led to an eight-episode podcast series called Shadow of Hope. Karen is my guest on this week's episode to discuss the group and her podcast. 

Given the many Cranford residents who claim some Irish heritage, it might be surprising to learn that there's never been a St. Patrick's Day parade in town. That changes on March 16 when the community's first such parade will kickoff at 1 pm at the Community Center and winds it way down Walnut and North Union avenues. Two of the people behind the march are Mayor Terrance Curran and Barry O'Donovan. Barry is the former owner of Kilkenny House. I interviewed Barry in 2014.A number of businesses and individuals are sponsoring the festivities. Cougar Headquarters is selling merchandise to help deck you out.I speak with Barry and Terry on this week's Cranford Radio podcast.

July will mark the second anniversary of the start of the Rev. Marc Vicari's pastorate at St. Michael Church. The Cranford assignment is just one of a number of roles Father Marc has had during his ministry. These include campus ministry, working for the Newark Archdiocese, and teaching.On today's episode I speak with Father Marc to learn more about his background, including his years growing up in New Jersey, his time as a student at Seton Hall University and a return to campus to study for the priesthood at the Immaculate Conception Seminary.     

In the early 1980s a new, little understood disease was primarily affecting two marginalized groups of people; gay men and intravenous drug users. The deadly ailment which, at the time, had no known treatment, sparked widely varying reactions.Angels in America looks at the AIDS crisis in New York City in the mid 1980s. Cranford Radio spoke with five people involved in the Cranford Dramatic Club production; Michael Kidney (director), Richard J. Colonna (Roy Cohn), Molly Reinhardt (Harper Pitt), Corey Chichizola (Prior Walter) and Aaron Hancock (Belize).The play will run weekends from February 14 through March 1. Tickets are available online and at the box office on performance days.

Lori Talbot grew up in Cranford and shortly after graduating college returned to town to start a 33-year career as a teacher at Hillside Avenue School.Since retiring she's found new opportunities to use her creative skills as a columnist and content creator. She writes a monthly column for Cranford Neighbors and also has a presence on Facebook and Instagram under Life with Lori. She also works for New Jersey Blood Services, something that grew out of two deeply personal life experiences where her late husband and her daughter received blood transfusions as they battled health issues. On January 30, there is a blood drive in Garwood in honor of her husband, Bob Talbot.

You know that voice. That thought you just can't shake or the one you know is there but you just can't quite hear what it's saying. Cranford resident Carly Berger Nguyen decided to listen to that voice after the birth of her children and leaving her job in the fashion industry. It led to her starting her life coaching and mindset business, Little Voice Big Matter.Many of her clients are mothers such as herself. She helps them find that place in their lives that brings balance and fulfillment. In addition, she writes a blog which addresses many issues people confront.On this Cranford Radio episode I chat with Carly about her business, the issues she often hears from clients, and a bit about her own journey.

For most of Richard Brown's adult life he has had a passion for repairing the world. In his case, that has largely involved addressing homelessness. In recognition of his work, the Cranford Clergy Council and the Cranford Interfaith Human Relations Committee has decided to present this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Award to Richard.In this week's episode I chat with Richard about his efforts and how he and his late wife, Jan, have made a difference. The award will be presented at the community's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Commemoration. It takes place at Calvary Tabernacle at 69 Myrtle Street at 7 pm on Thursday, January 16.

Many people in Cranford have attended a play or musical in New York City. While you see the performers on stage there's a lot you don't see that makes the show possible. Cranford resident Christy Ney has worked extensively in theater including stints with the Tony Award-winning Side Man, the first national tour of The Lion King and 14 years in the New York City production of Wicked.Today, she teaches, does free lance work as a stage manager (and more), and is involved with the arts community in Cranford.

Calvary Lutheran Church will host this annual event the evening of Thursday, December 19. The event is organized by the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council. One of the leaders of the organization, Rev. Carmine Pernini, the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway, spoke with me about the event.

As sung in one of the signature songs from the musical, the next Cranford Dramatic Club production is a "tale as old as time." However familiar this story may be, there will still be some surprises as the CDC presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast in December.Cranford Radio spoke with three of the cast members, Avamichelina Hodgens (Belle), Zach Love (Beast) and Sean Lynch-Littlejohn (Lumier) to get a sneak peak at the musical.

The Cranford Public Library's current building opened in 1962. While the main library has expanded over the years, the children's room has basically maintained the same footprint. That's going to be changing. Starting in the new year, construction will begin on an expansion of the children's room. Joining me on this week's podcast is Kathy Cannarozzi, the director of the Cranford Public Library. We talk about how the library will change, the funding and the schedule.Additional information on library expansion

If you're old enough to remember the late 1990s you may recall the hype and excitement about the dawning of the internet age. Some predictions came true, other promises fizzled. Today, artificial intelligence is having a similar moment. For this week's episode I turned to Google's NotebookLM. I uploaded articles about me from The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as a piece I wrote and presented on CBS Mornings. The results are amazing and scary. You have to listen carefully to realize these are AI-generated hosts.

Narcan, generically known as naloxone, is a medication that can reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. You do not need to be a medical professional to administer Narcan.The Cranford Prevention & Wellness Alliance, together with the Cranford Police Department, is sponsoring a free Narcan training and distribution event at the Cranford Community Center.  It will be on Tuesday, October 15 between 7 and 8:30 pm.On this week's episode I speak with Karen Bennett from the Alliance and Captain Matt Nazzaro from the Cranford Police Department about the event and how Narcan is used.

Community Access Unlimited has provided training, housing and employment services to those with developmental disabilities since its founding in 1979. One of CAU's newest ventures is the T.eat.ch Café, where members can learn and practice various aspects of running a restaurant. On this week's episode I speak with Sandie Lynch, CAU's associate executive director, and Joshua Moreines, a Cranford resident and graduate of the program.

In some ways the story of Rev. Dr. Deborah Brooks is the story of returning. First, there was her returning to live in Cranford after spending the first ten years of her life in town. There was also returning to St. Mark AME church, first as a member and then as the pastor. In this week's episode hear about Rev. Brooks journey, a bit about the congregation and an upcoming Family & Friends Day to which the community is invited.

Fans of anime are likely familiar with Yu-Gi-Oh!. Two of the main characters on the series are Marik Ishtar and Yami Marik. Both were voice by Cranford resident Jonathan Todd Ross. Today, Jonathan is a prolific audiobook narrator, having narrated nearly 500 books.On this week's Cranford Radio episode we talk about both roles, including getting an inside look at what goes into voicing an audiobook and how technology has and continues to change the business.  

On Monday, August 12, the bloodmobile will be at the Community Center between 1 and 7 pm. Donors on Monday will be get a voucher for tickets to a Mets game. This week's guest on the podcast is Genevieve Toscano, an account manager with New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center. We chat about why the need for blood increases during the summer, the different types blood donations that can be made and some of the misconceptions about donating blood.

Cranford's TV-35 has been broadcasting for over three and a half decades. Don Smith is coming up on his one-year anniversary as the station's manager and he joins me on this week's podcast to talk about the changes that have happened at TV-35 during the past year.TV-35 today is available in far more ways that it once was. A live stream makes it available to viewers around the world. Previous shows can be viewed on demand via a YouTube channel and Verizon FiOS subscribers can watch the channel in HD on channel 2147. 

Savor Snack Shop hopes to be opening at 18 North Union Avenue in early August. On this episode of Cranford Radio I speak with Jason Sanchez who, along with his wife Michele Santo, is a co-owner of the business.We talk about some of the products the store will carry, his previous retail experience and why he picked Downtown Cranford.

We like to think of childhood as a time of growing, learning and exploring. For some kids, however, they need adults outside their family to advocate for them when they are impacted by, or in danger of, abuse and neglect.Child Focus, formerly known as CASA of Passaic and Union Counties, provides professionals and volunteers to look out for the best interests of these children as they move through the legal and child welfare systems.On this episode I speak with Erica Fischer-Kaslander, Executive Director of Child Focus, and Phyllis Dunlop, a Child Focus volunteer and Cranford resident.

An art form which has drawn fans from around the world will be featured at the Cranford Community Center on Saturday, July 20. Tosho-con brings together not just manga and anime but cosplay, workshops, special guests and more. Joining me this week on the podcast is Marissa Lieberman, the head of reference services for the Cranford Public Library. We talk about the event and, for those unfamiliar with what anime, cosplay and manga are, we give you a quick lesson in the terms.

Folks who have been around Cranford for awhile will remember Builders General Supply Company. The business had its start in 1931 on Centennial Avenue. The store was founded, and is still owned, by the Shaheen Family. In this episode of Cranford Radio I speak with TJ Shaheen, the executive vice president of Builders General. We talk not only about the firm, but about his family which once owned a silk mill in town and was responsible for building over 200 homes in the community. Click this link to watch a film of Builders General in 1941.

Liz Cavallaro and Bree Fram know something about leadership. Liz teaches military leaders as the US Naval War College and Bree is a colonel in the US Space Force.  The two combined to write a newly published book, Forging Queer Leaders. In June I had the opportunity to chat with both of them during an author talk sponsored by the Cranford Public Library and the Cranford Unity Project.Thanks to Cranford's TV 35 for recording the session.

A veteran finds herself torn between oaths she took for her country and her family. That's the premise of Bloodoath of the Patriots, a book published this year by Cranford resident Ben Chewey.On this week's episode we talk about the book, his time in Cranford schools, both as a student and a substitute teacher, and his plans for future literary endeavors. 

On this week's episode I'm revisiting an 1891 murder case in Lower Manhattan. Over 133 years later, the case still draws interest. A Cranford resident, George Damon, played a role in this unsolved crime.On this week's episode I speak with How Brown, co-author, along with his wife Nina, of a book about the homicide, East Side Story: 1891 Murder Case of Carrie Brown.

Following the retirement of Rev. Carol Lindsay, who served the church for many years, Calvary Lutheran Church has called Rev. Kathryn Irwin to be pastor. Cranford Radio chatted with Pastor Kat about her growing up years in rural Pennsylvania, why she decided to become a pastor and about her personal journey identifying as queer.

The newest member of the Cranford Township Committee is Paul A. Gallo. In this episode of Cranford Radio we get to know a bit about Paul, including his work life, why he decided to serve on the committee and some of what he hopes to accomplish.

While the YWCA Union County has been serving the community for over a century, they had a forced new beginning in 2019 when their headquarters in Elizabeth burned to the ground. The building may have been lost, but the work continued. Today, the organization is preparing to move into a rebuilt facility.On this week's episode, I speak with Kathryn Lynch, the interim executive director and Cranford resident Laura Johnson, who serves as the vice president of the board. We chat about the work of the organization, especially how they assist survivors of domestic abuse.

For over two decades Downtown Cranford streets have hosted Sunday street fairs. A new vendor, Marketspace Vendor Events, is behind the event taking place Sunday, May 19th. The company is owned by Cranford residents Kim and Kevin Kraemer. The event is run by the Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce. On this week's podcast I speak with Kevin and Kim, as well as Gina Tipton, the executive director of the chamber.

A lot has changed when it comes to hair since the Cranford Barber Shop opened.  Crew cuts gave way to long hair.  Getting a haircut also meant getting a shave for many men and while they were waiting they might have their shoes shined.The shop, which had its last day on April 27, cut the hair on countless Cranford kids and adults. It was one of the first barber shops in town to also cut the hair of women and girls.  On the day after the closure, I visited the store to talk with two family members, Rich Marsiglia and Mark Manto about memories they have of the shop and why they had to shut the doors.On a happy note, it's been announced the shop will be reopening at 108 Walnut Avenue in June.

There's much about the current political state in the US that is shared with the 1960s. Both periods are seen by many as a time of division. Anti-war protests and civil rights are very much in the news. The Cranford Dramatic Club brings us back to the 1960s with the final production of their current season with the musical Hair. Cranford Radio speaks with director/choreographer Michael Kidney, as well as cast members Griffin Gartlgruber (Claude), Tyler Vanterpool (Hud), Amanda Malone (Sheila) and Lauren McCoig (a member of the Tribe), to learn more about this show.

Most major building projects in Cranford require hearings and approval of the Cranford Planning Board. If you're not involved yourself in a project, you may not be aware of the board does. On this week's podcast I speak with the chair of the Planning Board, Molly Kellett, to learn about what the board does and how it does its work.

A Cranford-based organization, the UCEDC, working with Downtown Cranford and the Cranford Theater is holding a four-part series designed to give Cranford business owners tools they can use to grow their business.Mary Adelman, a business consultant with the UCEDC, will be leading one of the sessions. She's my guest this week on Cranford Radio to talk about the program and how business owners can benefit from both the sessions and the networking opportunities.

It's National Library Week and to mark the occasion my guest on this episode of the Cranford Radio podcast is Kathy Cannarozzi, the director of the Cranford Public Library. We chat about a variety of topics including her first year at the library, the plans to expand the children's section and the CPL's role as a book sanctuary.

Often, the highway infrastructure of the state is taken for granted. We hop in our cars and drive from place to place with little thought of what's necessary to let it happen. When something goes wrong, however, we quickly realize how fragile our infrastructure can be.Chris Feinthel, Assistant Commissioner for Operations in the New Jersey Department of Transportation, grew up in Cranford never thinking he would be in charge of operations for a massive roadway system stretching from High Point to Cape Map Point. On this joint production of Cranford Radio and Transportation Radio, I talk with Chris about his job, what happens when weather throws a wrench into transportation and how NJDOT is making adjustments as climate change impacts the transportation infrastructure.

You may know Dinah Dunn through her work as a writer and reporter for TAPinto Cranford. Your grade school kids may know her through the books she's written for Scholastic Books. On this week's podcast I talk to Dinah about what she's learned about Cranford since joining the online news site in September and how she writes to encourage young reluctant readers to pick up and read a book.