AROUND CRANBURY By Lorraine Sedor The search for a beluga in the Delaware River.
It’s not often that a celebrity of any note visits the area, so it was with a fair amount of anticipation that I collected my kids after school on Wednesday to search for the beluga whale seen the day before in the Delaware near Trenton.
Camera, binoculars and after-school snacks in hand, we started our search near the Trenton Makes Bridge where the whale was first seen. Construction workers in the area entertained us with stories of the beluga cavorting in the area all day Tuesday but, alas, that was the last time they’d seen him.
Our next stop was behind Waterfront Stadium, where two news crews and about 50 people lined the banks of the river. The location certainly seemed promising, but again, no luck. After an hour, the news crew was ready to pack up their gear. Apparently the beluga citing had ceased.
Our last hope was the scenic overlook on Route 295 in Bordentown. As we pulled into the overlook parking lot, cars began streaming out. A quick check with some stragglers confirmed our fears: the whale had just been seen and was headed again toward Trenton. We lingered a while, not wanting to believe that we had just missed it.
Our last stop of the evening was Cranbury Pizza. We didn’t get any whale photos for our trouble, but there is something to be said for not having to cook dinner.
Congratulations are in order for Professor John Whiteclay Chambers II of Cranbury. He received the 2005 Outstanding Teaching Award from Rutgers University where he is a history professor. He has taught since 1982.
Exactly thirty years ago, in 1975, he received Barnard’s first Outstanding Teacher Award when he was an assistant professor of history at Barnard College, Columbia University.
The Lions Club of Cranbury administers a loan program, two scholarships and one award, all of which are available to students residing in Cranbury. The organization also sponsors a Cranbury high school student, currently a junior, to attend the World Affairs Seminar at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater.
More information about these programs is available on the Cranbury Lions Web site, www. cranbury.org/clubs/Lions/studentprograms.htm.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to submit an application by April 22. Applications should be mailed to the Scholarship and Award Selection Committee, Cranbury Lions Club, P.O. Box 365, Cranbury, N.J. 08512.
At the April 6 meeting of the Cranbury Lions Club, four members were honored for their long and continued years of service to the community.
President Walt Caldwell presented the certificates for honorary membership. Wayne Stahl was inducted as a Cranbury Lion in June 1938, was treasurer from 1952 to 1953, served as president from 1955 to 1956 and current serves as chairman of the welfare committee.
John Bloom was inducted as a Cranbury Lion in January 1955.
Dick West was inducted as a Cranbury Lion in January 1956, served as club secretary from 1959 to 1962, president from 1966 to 1967 and served as club historian.
Craig Gilbert was inducted as a Cranbury Lion in January 1962 and served as president from 1969 to 1970.
At the same meeting, the Lions were pleased to present a check for $300 to Carl Helstrom, current president of the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society.
Currently in its 14th year, Share our Strength’s Taste of the Nation has raised more than $500,000 for hunger relief in the greater Princeton area.
Come enjoy the food of 25 of the best restaurants in the area, as well as live and silent auctions featuring a stay at a Tuscan villa, travel packages and more.
The event takes place Monday, April 18, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Doral Forrestal Hotel and Spa. Tickets can be purchased online at www.princetontaste.org.
To commemorate National Poetry Month, the Arts Review Committee will host an open mic poetry reading in the Gourgaud Gallery tonight (Friday) at 7:30 p.m.
This event is open to everyone 17 and older who writes their own poetry, or just wishes to read their favorite works. It is also a good time to see this month’s whimsical exhibit by Watercolorists Unlimited, titled "April Foolery."
And just as a reminder, the Gourgaud Gallery will be hosting another night of poetry, on April 29 when the library’s Mr. "Z" will read a selection of his own poems. Light refreshments will be served at both events.
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.

