AROUND CRANBURY By Lorraine Sedor Idea stems from the 1930s’ canes used by the blind that where white in color with a red band.
Congratulations go out to two long-time members of the Cranbury Lions Club whose combined service to the community and organization totals 115 years.
At the March 16 meeting of the Cranbury Lions Club, Joseph Konrad was honored with a pin signifying 55 years as a member in good standing and Judson Hagerty received a pin for 60 years as a Lion. Both men were commended for their commitment to the community.
The Cranbury Lions Club has announced that Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, will be White Cane Days for 2005. On White Cane Days, local Lions Clubs traditionally go to their communities in support of Lions sight projects.
Lion George A. Bonham, of the Peoria, Ill. Lions Club, invented the familiar white cane with a red band that is generally used by the blind and visually impaired in 1930.
Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. This service began when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" during the association’s 1925 international convention.
Over the years, the Lions have extended their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts, including eyeglass recycling and SightFirst, a program that provides grants to fight preventable and reversible blindness.
The Cranbury Lions will be collecting for these important sight projects at a number of locations around town, including Teddy’s, Cranbury Pizza, the Cranbury Post Office, 1st Constitution Bank, PNC Bank, as well as the Gasway, BP and Mobil gas stations. Please come out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The seventh-grade Cranbury Girl Scouts of Troop 679 have been busy the past few months with service projects. In February, the troop of 33 girls baked 30 dozen cookies for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.
TASK Director Peter Wise visited the girls and discussed TASK’s goals and needs. The troop found the experience to be extremely rewarding and followed up in March by decorating and filling 25 Easter baskets for children served by HomeFront, an organization based in New Brunswick that serves victims of domestic abuse.
The Cranbury Historical & Preservation Society will present a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with Judith Krall-Russo, food historian and tea specialist, on Saturday, April 23.
The tea lecture and luncheon is in memory of Marilyn "Lyn" Green, one of the society’s past presidents. During the afternoon, participants will learn about the history of tea, etiquette in the 19th century and Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice’s adventures.
There will be a tea tasting and Afternoon Tea luncheon. Please bring a friend and wear your most fabulous hat. The tea will be held at the Cranbury Museum, 4 Park Place East. Tickets are $20 with a 10 percent discount for society members. Last year’s tea was a sell-out, so plan to get your tickets as soon as possible. For tickets and information call Lisa Beach at (609) 409-1289 or the Cranbury History Center at (609) 860-1889.
It’s time to start thinking about summer camp. The Cranbury Arts Council offers a number of programs right in here town during the month of July. The Art and Technology Camp will be held at Cranbury School from July 5-15 for grades 2-9. The summer theater program will be held at the United Methodist Church from July 11-22. The music composition camp will run from July 18-22 in the Cranbury Public Library technology room.
Look for your camp brochure in the mail next week. More information may be obtained by calling the council voicemail at (609) 655-1705, or going online to www.cranbury.org where you will find a copy of the entire course offering and a registration form.
The Princeton High School Studio Band is in full swing with its competition schedule. Just last week at the Steinert Jazz Festival, the band took top honors for the best saxophone section, best solo (alto saxophone) and best sight-reading performance.
The band was barely edged out by Willingboro to place second overall in a very tough competition. The band has made it into the New Jersey state finals, which will be held on the last weekend in April.
The PHS Studio Band is still hosting community swing dances. The next dance is scheduled for Friday, April 8, from 7-10 p.m. in the Princeton High School cafeteria, 151 Moore St. in Princeton. Tickets are $5 at the door and refreshments are available.
An open house for parents interested in learning more about the Cranbury School district’s Cranbuddies preschool program will take place on Monday, April 4, from 7-8 p.m. in the preschool classroom, Room 11, at the Cranbury School.
The Cranbuddies program is open to typically developing four-year-old children who will enter kindergarten in 2006. Staff members will be on hand to discuss the program and application process.
All applications must be received by Friday, April 15, and will be entered into a lottery for available spaces. Tuition is $2,500 per year. For additional information phone the school’s Child Study Team office at (609) 395-1700, ext. 232.
Dare to go into the woods. The Cranbury School’s production of "Into the Woods, Jr." opens on Wednesday, April 6, with a special, free senior citizen’s preview performance at 6 p.m. Opening night for the general public is Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m. The show’s final performance will take place on Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m.
Residents can reach Ms. Sedor by phone at (609) 655-3386, by fax at (609)655-1613, by e-mail at [email protected] and by mail at 32 Evans Drive, Cranbury, N.J. 08512.

