Local artist at Gourgaud

Around Cranbury

By: Lorraine Sedor
   This evening, stop by the Gourgaud Gallery where Lauren Scott will be exhibiting her recent works.
   The First Friday reception will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
   Lauren Scott is from Cranbury and had Tamara Woronczuk for an art teacher. Lauren has an MFA and this is her very first solo show. Stop by and congratulate this hometown girl.

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   Jerry Pevahouse would like to thank all his many friends in Cranbury who sent warm wishes after his stroke last month.
   Jerry reports: "I am improving. And don’t forget to mention Cranbury folks are the best."
   We’re all very pleased to hear that Jerry, who is a vital part of the Cranbury Museum team, is on the mend.

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   You may have noticed historic house markers on buildings around town. Many homes in town date back to the 19th century.
   If your home is at least 75 years old, it may eligible for a house marker. House markers are issued through the Cranbury Historical Society.
   With a little sleuthing on the homeowner’s part to verify the building’s age and original builder/owner, the society will have a marker made. Homeowners need to investigate their home’s history by researching deeds, beginning with information found on their own deed. Once the date and builder are established, the society will order a marker, which is paid for by the homeowner.
   Clarice McDonald recently completed research on her home at 6 Maplewood Ave. She and her husband Frank have restored the home, which she was able to date to about 1868. The first owners of the lot were Emma and Henry Fisher, and they are believed to have built the home before selling the property in 1870.
   In the case of the McDonald’s home, the research included sifting through about eight property transactions, including a sheriff’s sale in the early 20th century. The deeds that Clarey was able to read also indicate that Maplewood Avenue was known as Monroe Street until about 1944.
   Anyone who would like to learn about researching his or her house may contact the historical society by calling (609) 860-1889 or via email at [email protected].

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   You know it’s August when talk in this column turns to Cranbury Day.
   The Friends of the Cranbury Public Library will be holding their next book sale on Cranbury Day, which will be Saturday, Sept. 8.
   Donations of gently used books — no textbooks or magazines, please — are greatly appreciated and will be accepted at the library during the last two weeks of August.
   Look through your bookshelves and share your books with the community. Proceeds of sales provide library programs.

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   The biennial House Tour will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13 at eight properties around town.
   As you can imagine, many people are needed to make this tour a success. Volunteers will be needed to serve as hosts and hostesses at the homes. This entails taking tickets and answering questions using the fact sheets that will be provided by the homeowners.
   Hosts and hostesses have a choice of three time shifts: 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
   Volunteers will receive discounted admission to the tour, and there are always other fun little perks, like a brunch or another type of thank-you get-together.
   Anyone interested in helping should contact Mia Lindberg at 395-9225 or Louise Palagyi at 395-9292.
   Proceeds from the house tour, Then and Now, benefit the operations of the Cranbury Historical Society.

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   The Boy Scouts are on the move again.
   Troop 52 has a group of 17 Scouts and leaders who left on Thursday to take a trip down the Delaware River.
   The six-day trip will take the 13 boys and four adult leaders canoeing down the river through New York State, ending at the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey.
Residents may contact Ms. Sedor by phone at (609) 655-3386, by e-mail at [email protected] and by mail at 32 Evans Dr., Cranbury, NJ 08512.