Cranford Radio

Robert D'Ambola worked as a cop for 28 years in Summit. He later served on the Cranford Township Committee. During much of this time he also was an instructor at the Union County Police Academy and taught recruits about ethics. In his latest book, The True Test Is When No One Sees, D'Ambola gives numerous real-life examples of ethical quandaries that law enforcement officers, and others, found themselves in. In this week's podcast we talk about his experiences in police work and how the book came to be.

A new Cranford media outlet made its debut this year. Cranford Local is a monthly magazine mailed to all Cranford homes and it features stories about Cranford businesses and families. Shawn McDonald is the editor and she spoke with Cranford Radio about the publication. She also gives her perspective on the newest generation of journalists that she's teaching in her full-time job as a journalism educator at Westfield High School as well as her role as an advisor to the student publications, including the school's newspaper, Hi's Eye.

Health problems, a job loss, a death; just a few of the ways someone can suffer a financial emergency.  When these events result in difficulties paying rent or a mortgage, Project Home of Cranford can help. In this week's episode we talk with Lisa Orrico, the president of Project Home and Maggie Feeney, the vice president to learn how the organization can help and how they work with Cranford Family Care to help those in need.

Art, music, movies, sales. Just a few of the many offerings and events happening year-round in Downtown Cranford. Two of the people charged with making it all happen are Caren Demyen, the Director of Downtown Cranford and Michelle Stavrou, the Social Media Coordinator. On this week's podcast I talk to them about the various events that take place and what else goes into making Downtown Cranford a two-time winner of the Best Downtown in New Jersey.

Far From Heaven, The Plot Against America, a Super Bowl TV commercial. What do they all have in common? All had scenes shot in Cranford. The town is frequently showcased in movies, TV shows and commercials. What is it about Cranford that's attractive to the creative people behind these productions? Listen as Cranford Radio talks to David W. Schoner, Jr., the Associate Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and TV Commission.

Cranford has dozens of volunteer committees that deal with everything from sewage to golf. One such committee is the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Committee. Anthony Durante is the committee's chair and he chatted with Cranford Radio about the group's purpose and what they're currently working on.

The township administrator’s role is similar to the chief operating officer’s responsibilities in the business world. Jamie Cryan has been Cranford’s Township Administrator since January 2019. In this week’s Cranford Radio podcast he talks about why he decided to work in the public sector, how his previous jobs in West New York, New Jersey led to his current position and what’s involved in the position.

Jay Boxwell Jr. had no idea his enlistment in the US Navy would one day lead to being the State Commander for Department of New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars. Boxwell took on the role in June and will serve for a year. In this Cranford Radio podcast he talks about his military and VFW experiences.

There are thousands of books inside the Cranford Public Library on Walnut Avenue but, under a new program coming this year, those books will represent only a fraction of the materials that will be easily available to library patrons. Library Director Michael Maziekien and Head of Reference Services Marissa Lieberman tell us more about the new service as well as other activities taking place. We also discuss some of the changes COVID has brought and how the library might be helping you grow your garden.

Two young brothers are experiencing a life-changing summer. That, in a sentence, is a preview of Joseph Colicchio's latest novel, All Strings Attached. In this week's Cranford Radio podcast, Joe tells us a bit more about his book as well as a bit more about his own life.

We're surrounded by beautiful images but often we take them for granted or don't notice them. Frank Little, a Cranford photographer, sees many of the same things we pass daily but with a lot of hard work, a bit of luck, and an artist's eye, he's able to create beautiful pictures. Frank's photos often combine the man-made with celestial spheres and his work has brought him notice far beyond Cranford's borders. In this week's Cranford Radio podcast we talk with Frank about his work, how he had his start and get a glimpse into how he creates his magnificent images.

Lucy Young, a seventh grade student at Hillside Avenue School, may not go into clothes design when she's older, but right now her Cranford Pride shirt is being seen around town as Cranford and the nation mark Pride Month. Lucy talked to Cranford Radio about what prompted her to make the design and how funds raised by its sale will benefit The Trevor Project.Link to purchase shirt (scroll down to bottom)

Memorial Day is about much more than backyard barbecues, the first shore weekend or the unofficial start of summer. It's a day to remember those who gave their lives in service to our nation during its many conflicts. There have been 86 Cranford men who have died during those wars and Don Sweeney started a project to tell the story of each of those individuals so that their legacy is remembered for generations to come. In this week's Cranford Radio podcast, Don talks about the Cranford 86 Project, how it got started and some of the challenges he and his partners have faced in telling those stories. 

For many of us, our interactions with the United States Postal Service go no further than mailing a letter, buying stamps and looking through our daily deliveries. There's a lot more though that has to happen for that card you send to get to where it's going. Walidah Ali is the Cranford Postmaster and she's responsible for those first steps in sending your mail when it's dropped off in town and the final steps before it lands in your mailbox. She tells us a bit more about what happens before and after.

These days most of us are more aware of how our actions can impact the planet. One area this is especially true is when it comes to the products we buy. Even though we may dutifully toss our used plastic containers in the recycling bin, 2018 data from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that less than nine percent of plastics are recycled.One solution is to reuse the containers which hold some of the products we buy. Labo Refillery opened at 11 Walnut Avenue on April 22, Earth Day, and they allow you to refill containers with a variety of products, such as soaps and lotions, that you can use again and again.Cranford Radio spoke with the co-owners of the store, Joseph Fule and Meliza Veneracion-Fule to learn more about the business.

I don't believe we have any millinery shops in Cranford, but if we did this week's guest would probably keep them busy with all the hats she wears. Lisa Carbone co-owns TimberRidge Construction with her husband Anthony. She also runs Loft Homes and is in her eighth year serving on the Cranford Board of Education, currently as vice president.We chat about each of those roles as well as learning a bit more about her background and what she did before taking on those responsibilities.

Just as the township concluded its 150th anniversary, the Cranford Police Department started to celebrate its 125th year. From the humble beginnings of the volunteer Cranford Thief Detecting Society to today's professional force, there have been great changes.In this episode we're joined by Bob Segear, a retired police officer who served from 1974 to 2004, and Lieutenant Matthew Nazzaro. Bob discusses how the department evolved and Matt talks about what the CPD is doing in 2022 to mark the milestone.Link to 125th anniversary brick purchase

In 2020 a group of Cranford women came together to create the Cranford Unity Project. In the short time CUP has been in existence, they have taken on a number of projects to educate, advocate and support People of Color, LGBTQ+, religious and other marginalized groups through the community. On this week's episode we speak with CUP members Sanjeevanee Vidwans, Karen Bennett and Patricia MacLean.

Historically, learning a trade was what most people did after their school years were finished. In more recent times, especially in towns such as Cranford, there's been more of an emphasis on attending college after high school graduation.Danny Ghanime owns Brighton Air Corp. in Cranford and he's seen first hand not only what you can do with a trade but the tremendous need for people in the trades. In this episode of Cranford Radio he talks about some of the advantages of learning a trade and why he worked with the Cranford Jaycees to offer a scholarship to trade schools for Cranford graduates. 

Reviving a previous feature of Cranford Radio in which we interview elected officials who represent Cranford, I speak with 21st District Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis (R). She was elected to the seat in November and most recently served as a councilwoman in New Providence.In this week's discussion, we talk about her life, why she decided to run for public office, and some of the issues most important to her.