CRANBURY

By: centraljersey.com
– For the third year, the Cranbury Board of Education will be running its Community Education Program.
Sue Leson and Marty Hayden, who also run the Cranbury Arts Council, have been hired to coordinate the program for the third time in a year and a half. There will be 10 classes running this year.
– It may be a wide open race in the middle school Tri-County boys soccer conference, but right now that race is being won by the Cranbury School.
The Vikings moved into first place with a 2-1 victory over Millstone. Sixth-grader Colin Sarafin was one of the heroes as his goal in regulation helped force the overtime. Kevin Wagner then scored the game winner.
25 Years Ago – 1985
– Cranbury’s past is literally free for the viewing with the exhibit on display in the Gourgaud Gallery.
A collection of photographs owned by James Christiansen has at least given Father Time a run for the money.
What began in 1942 as a hobby for Mr. Christiansen has grown into a visual tribute to his hometown. Many pictures came about from his career as a rural mail carrier for the post office.
The collection started when he acquired a few old postcards of the area.
"I’ve got close to 200, and I get more all the time," he said.
– In response to the "Kids’ Survey" question, "Why do you look forward to autumn?’ – responses were by Emily Forman who said, "Autumn means the beginning of a new school year. I may not like school so much in the middle of the year but I love school in the beginning."
Sharon Smith said, "Autumn means cooler weather and winter clothes. I like raking leaves in the brisk weather and going outside with my friends and playing in the leaf piles with my sister. I help my grandmother clear her yard before it gets too cold to work outside."
50 Years Ago – 1960
– The Cranbury Fire Company took part in the parade commemorating the 125th anniversary of the organization of the Hightstown Engine C. No. 1 and were awarded second prize for the best company without a band.
– George E. Conley, manager of Sunnyfield Nursing Home Inc., was elected president of the Licensed Nursing Homes Association of New Jersey at its 12th annual convention in Atlantic City.
He has held the offices of secretary and first vice president prior to this.
75 Years Ago – 1935
– A Hallowe’en party was given by the Misses Winifred Johnson and Gladys Danser in the barn of her father on Friday night.
Decorations consisted of cornstalks and orange and black trimming. Invited guests included: Lois and Gladys Danser, Messrs. Ancil Davison, Billie Stults, Junior Pankevich, Edward Poyett, Billie Ziegler, Nelson Ellis, Jocum Christiansen and Arnold Danser of Cranbury.
– Freeholder C. Raymond Wicoff entertained 250 members of the Young Democrats of America, Middlesex County Unit, at the Cranbury Inn Friday night. The program consisted of entertainment, dancing and refreshments.
100 Years Ago – 1910
– Joseph C. Chamberlin is having his house fitted for hot water heating.
– By a breakage in the power house, the town was in darkness for about twenty four hours, commencing Saturday.
– Miss Sarah Perrine who was so seriously injured by an automobile in the spring, is getting along nicely, and is being tutored in High School work to keep up with her classes.
– After a two weeks’ visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Nixon, Ernest L. Nixon has returned to Montreal, Canada, and will resume his duties as porter on Pullman cars.
JAMESBURG AND MONROE
10 Years Ago – 2000
– The Monroe Township Mothers Club and the Monroe Township Recreation Department announce their Halloween Parade and Costume Contest for October 28.
Refreshments will be served after trophies are awarded to winners of the costume contest.
– Governor Christie Whitman welcomed Michelle Graci of Monroe, Miss New Jersey 2000, to the State House.
– Callers will be Pam and Burt Lally at the Jamesburg Elks Auxiliary Square Dance held at 74 West Railroad Ave., Saturday, Oct. 21. Price is $12.50 per person.
25 Years Ago – 1985
– Robert Estreich stood on the heart-shaped pitcher’s mound and tossed a ball to the catcher.
Fans cheered as they applauded Mr. Estreich, not the pitch. He survived a heart transplant in August and his toss began a benefit softball game to raise money so others could have a chance at a new heart.
About $1,800 was raised for the cardiac transplant fund at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, where he received his transplant.
– Congratulations to Thomas and Kathy Byrne of Halsey Reed Road, Monroe on the birth of their newest son, Kevin Michael.
He was born at the Medical Center at Princeton and weighed 10 pounds, 2 ounces. He is their seventh child and their fourth son. Proud grandparents from Monroe are Barbara and Vincent Byrne and great-grandmother Irene Clayton.
– Winning ugly, Monroe-style, made its debut as the Falcon football team defeated South Brunswick, 3-0 at home for its first win of the season.
Freshman kicker Rob Longo booted a 22-yard field goal with about five minutes to play to give Monroe the winning points.
50 Years Ago – 1960
– Miss Rhoda Bocchichio and Daniel Del Vecchio were united in marriage in the Jamesburg Assembly of God church.
The bride is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Michael Bocchichio of Pergola ave., Jamesburg and the bridegroom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Del Vecchio of Medford.
Both bride and bridegroom have been engaged in evangelistic work for the church and expect to return to the mission field. The bride is a graduate of Eastern Bible Institute.
– Mrs. Nicholas Rioe entertained with a surprise baby shower in honor of Mrs. Paul Collura at St. James Hall.
– The Jamesburg Lions Auxiliary commemorated its 20th anniversary with a luncheon at the Forsgate Country Club.
The group was organized in 1940 and was sponsored by the New Brunswick Lions’ Auxiliary. The auxiliary has sponsored the girl scouts of the Jamesburg area for the past 20 years.
75 Years Ago – 1935
– Preparations for a fair to be staged in each of the four rooms of the Prospect Plains School at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 29 is underway.
Displays of various branches of school work as well as products of handiwork done outside of the classroom will be shown.
– Public Sale of Live Stock, Farm Machinery and Household Goods, of the estate of Charles T. Walters will be held on the farm where I now reside, near the Rhode Hall to Prospect Plains Road, 1 1/2 miles from Cranbury on Tuesday, October 29th, 1935 at 12 o’clock sharp. Mrs. Anna Walters, Executrix.
100 Years Ago – 1910
– Mrs. C. E. Stults spent Thursday visiting in a nearby city.
– There are a number of little children starting to school, and some have been noticed standing out in the street while waiting for companions, and is there are so many automobiles passing, it would be well for parent to caution these little ones against going off the sidewalk if they would avoid an accident.
Compiled from back issues of The Cranbury Press by Peggy S. and Frank J. Brennan Jr.