AROUND CRANBURY by Lorraine Sedor: Getting ready for Cranbury Day

Gearing up to celebrate Township history

By: Lorraine Sedor
   Summer Reading club participants are reminded to bring their completed book logs to the Cranbury Public Library in order to receive a special prize. The program ends today, Friday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m.

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   The Cranbury Digital Camera Club will be featured at the Gourgaud Gallery during September. The First Friday Reception will be held tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gallery.

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   The Cranbury Arts Council is pleased to offer a Sidewalk Chalk Drawing Event on Cranbury Day, Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. until the chalk runs out.
   All participants will receive a box of colored chalk and can create their own artwork in a special area near Town Hall. All ages are invited to be part of this colorful event.
   Other Cranbury Day festivities include a Clothesline Art Contest. All original artwork in any medium must be on paper or thin board and unframed, ready to be pinned onto the clotheslines located in front of Town Hall.
   The artists must have their work registered between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Members of the Gourgaud Gallery Committee will judge the artwork.
   Ribbons for first, second and third places will be given in the Student and Adult Divisions, as well as some great prizes.
   So come by Town Hall on Cranbury Day! In addition to all the events, giveaways from Utrecht Art Supplies and announcement of the art contest winners, the Gourgaud Gallery will also be open and featuring the Cranbury Digital Camera Club exhibit.
   Don’t miss out on all the artistic fun!

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   The Cranbury Historical & Preservation Society has launched its own Web site, www.cranburyhistory.org. The Society invites everyone to check the site regularly for information on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and other news.
   On Cranbury Day, Membership Committee representatives will be at the society’s sales table all day to provide information on becoming a member.
   If you don’t yet belong to the society, now is a great time to join hundreds of your neighbors in supporting this champion of Cranbury’s more-than-300-year history.
   Any new member joining on Cranbury Day will receive a free copy of the handsome Tercentennial publication, "Cranbury: 1697 – 1997." As a bonus, new members’ names will be entered in a drawing for a special gift.

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   Ruth Grabner, "The Silhouette Lady," returns to the Cranbury Museum on Cranbury Day.
   Ms. Grabner is an excellent silhouette artist, who not only will immortalize your child, grandchild or self, she’ll even snip a portrait of your well-behaved pet.
   Please phone Jan Wagner at 655-1943 for price inquiries and reservations.

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   Cranbury Day’s excitement will extend late into the evening at Saint David’s Episcopal Church on South Main Street.
   On Saturday, Sept. 9 from 6 p.m. until midnight will be Saint David’s first annual Caribbean Night. There will be authentic Caribbean food, tropical drinks and desserts, as well as a DJ, live music played by a steel band and fun for the whole family.
   The suggested donation is $25 per adult, $12 per child or $75 for each family. There will also be a silent auction during the evening.
   If you would like either more information or to order tickets, please contact the church office at 655-4731.

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   The South Brunswick Arts Commission, in cooperation with the South Brunswick Public Library, will present a series of Sunday afternoon poetry readings featuring some of the region’s most highly regarded poets.
   The monthly readings will be followed by an open reading. All readings will be at 2 p.m. in the library.
   The first in this series will be on Sunday, Sept. 10 and features Maria Mazziotti Gillan. Ms. Gillan runs the Poetry Center at Passaic County College and is editor of the Paterson Literary Review.
   The readings are free, though a donation of a non-perishable food item for the South Brunswick Food Pantry is suggested. For more information, including directions, contact the arts commission at (732) 329-4000, ext 7635.

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   Band leader Jerry Yochelson extends a cordial invitation to all musically inclined Boy and Girl Scouts, leaders and moms and dads to become part of the Cranbury Scout Band.
   The band performs at community and scout functions throughout the year. Jerry has scheduled the first meeting for Sunday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church. Practices will be held regularly on Sunday evenings.
Residents can reach Ms. Sedor by phone at (609) 655-3386, by e-mail at [email protected], and by mail at 32 Evans Drive, Cranbury, N.J. 08512.