AROUND CRANBURY by Lorraine Sedor: Public invited to lighting

Holiday festivities begin

By: Lorraine Sedor
   The Cranbury Woman’s Club invites the public to the annual tree lighting at Memorial Park near the firehouse on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.,
   President Audrey Smith will be on hand along with Dorothy Klotzbeacher, who will lead everyone in caroling. There may even be a young soloist or two singing along to the music of the Cranbury Brass Choir.
   This is a wonderful tradition and great start to the holiday season!

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   On Thursday, Nov. 30, the Cranbury Historical Society will decorate the museum for Christmas.
   The society extends a welcome to those who would like to help decorate the Exhibit Room’s Christmas tree beginning at 10 a.m. The society will hold its annual open house on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., when the aroma of spiced tea and cookies will fill the air, along with the sounds of Christmas carols at the museum’s organ.
   During the month of December, the museum will exhibit a display of toys and games on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 7, with the exception of Dec. 24 and 31.
   Group tours of the museum can be arranged by calling 655-3736.

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   The re-enrollment period for the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan continues through Dec. 31. During this time period, seniors may change plans with the same provider or switch to a different provider.
   On Thursday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 28, the Cranbury Human Services Board will have expert counselors from the Middlesex County Department on Aging available to speak with anyone who needs help determining whether to make changes.
   Individual appointments will be available on those dates from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
   Please contact John Ritter of the Human Services Board at (609) 655-8932 to set up a personal appointment with an expert counselor.

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   The Friends of the Cranbury Public Library will host its annual holiday card-making event on Saturday, Dec. 2nd from 10 a.m. to noon in the Tom Gambino Room at the Cranbury Public Library.
   Children of every age are welcome, and art supplies will be provided to create festive, whimsical or simply pretty holiday cards. There also will be coffee available for the moms and dads.
   The Friends invite parents to stop by their membership table just outside the Gambino Room to pick up information about membership benefits and upcoming events, especially the trip to see the King Tut exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on July 10, 2007.
   The Friends also announce a new program, "Donate a Book," that might just be the perfect gift for someone special on your list. Representatives will be available to tell you more about this program and others that may interest you.

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   "Cranbury Gardens IV — Works from Art in the Park" will be on exhibit throughout December in the Gourgaud Gallery. The First Friday Reception will take place on Dec. 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the gallery, which is located in Town Hall.
   The juried artwork is the culmination of the monthly "Art in the Park" series sponsored by the Gourgaud Gallery and the Cranbury Arts Council.
   Art spanning the seasons and representing the varied locations visited by the artists will be represented.

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   This may not be the best news for trees in Cranbury, but it is interesting news for wildlife lovers.
   In the past few weeks, beavers have been spotted along Brainerd Lake and actually toppled a tree behind a home and dragged if to the lake.
   According to Ginny Swanagan, the furry vandals were later seen crossing Main Street.

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   Right here in Cranbury we have an award-winning volunteer!
   Cyndy Coppotelli was named "Volunteer of the Year" for the 2005-2006 school year through Girl Scout Troop No. 1467. With more than 800 girls in the East Windsor Area Girl Scouts Service Unit and hundreds of volunteers working with them, Cyndy was up against some stiff competition!
   EWAGS includes troops in East Windsor, Cranbury, Hightstown and Roosevelt.
   Cyndy, or Mrs. C. as "her" girls know her, was nominated by troop leader Sally O’Grady and seconded by Suzanne Reiss.
   Mrs. C’s volunteerism is two-fold: Working with the girls in her daughter Anna’s troop, she organizes care packages for servicemen and women in Iraq. With her supervision, the girls have sent cards, magazines and goody bags for holidays throughout the year.
   You may have seen the girls’ table on Cranbury Day, where they encouraged passersby to sign thank-you cards for the troops.
   On behalf of everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her, I’m happy to add our thanks and congratulations to Cyndy for an important job well done!
Residents can reach Ms. Sedor by phone at (609) 655-3386, by e-mail at [email protected] and by mail at 32 Evans Dr., Cranbury, NJ, 08512.