Cranford Ice Hockey team opens season strong; defeats Raiders 5-1

by By MICHAEL ECHAN -- CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 1:22 PM

ROSELLE--The Cranford ice hockey team started off their 2008-2009 campaign about as strong as a team could, routing Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 5-1, on Tuesday in the first round of the George Cron Tournament.

It didn't take long for the Cougars (1-0) to assert themselves in their season debut at the Warinanco Skating Center. Right winger Eric Pawlick needed just 24 seconds to score the first goal after he took a pass from defenseman Vince Fitzgerald. Cranford scored at least one goal in every period, including a second tally from Pawlick in the second period. Seven different Cougars earned points during the contest, with Pawlick collecting a game-high three points (two goals, one assist).

Photo by Jim Occi -- The ChronicleThe Cranford ice hockey team started off their 2008-2009 campaign strong, routing Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 5-1, on Tuesday. Cranford keeper Colin Mayberry (pictured above) excelled between the pipes, stopping 14 of the 15 shots Scotch Plains-Fanwood took. Several times, he deflected close-range shots from the Raiders with multiple players blocking his view. Defenseman Vince Fitzgerald (No. 46) looked on during the first round of the George Cron Tournament.

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Garwood council considers offering opt-out stipend in lieu of benefits to borough employees

by LESLIE MURRAY -- THE CHRONICLE

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 12:19 PM

GARWOOD--In a move that could save the borough money on health benefits costs, the Borough Council will considered a resolution that would offer employees a stipend if they opt out of the municipal benefits program during their Dec. 9 meeting.

In a report on the finance committee discussions, Council President Kathleen Villaggio said the committee was recommending that the council offer a $6,000 stipend to borough employees who opt out of the benefits program.

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Cranford High School swim team hopes to continue stream of success

by DAVE LAZARUS -- CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 10:46 AM

CRANFORD--Perhaps the most daunting challenge facing high school coaches is replacing the talent that graduates each year.

The seasons that prove more challenging than others are usually those that follow the loss of nearly indispensable athletes like 2008 graduates Sean French and Mark Bagniewski, but veteran Cranford High School Swimming coach Barbara Kolesa is hopeful that young talent can continue the Cougars' recent success.

French, now swimming for Montclair State University, and Bagniewski, currently at Stevens, left quite a legacy--highlighted by the Mountain Valley Conference (MVC) championship in the 200 medley relay.

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Celebration Singers to present 'Sounds of the Season', Dec. 5 & 6

by The Chronicle

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 8:39 AM

CRANFORD--The Celebration Singers, joined by the Children's Choir have begun preparation for their upcoming winter concert.

The Celebration Singers and Children's choir perform popular American music and songs of many styles and from other cultures of the highest quality for a diverse audience. They continue to be a credit to and a source of pride to their sponsors, as they look to bring before as wide an audience as possible, the beauty, richness, and excitement of the Arts, and at the same time, provide a more diverse musical education to the children and adult choir members and audiences alike. The group received the "Pride in Cranford" Community Service Award in 2007.

Describing the Celebration Singers, President Regina Bielen commented, "In addition to performing in local nursing and senior homes, hospitals, and for local organizations, as well as our two major concerts, it is our intent to perform our musical entertainment program for as many audiences as possible, and to expand and enhance the cultural level within Union County."

The Celebration Singers, under the direction of Sean Berg, and Children's Choir, under the direction of Tom Pedas, will present "Sounds of the Season" on Dec. 5 and 6, 8:15 p.m., at the Cranford Harvest Training Center, 69 Myrtle Street.

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Freewheels Club of Cranford to hold multimedia event on Dec. 3

by The Chronicle

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 7:29 AM

CRANFORD--The Freewheels Club of Cranford invites the public to attend a multi-media event called, "The Science, Art, and Politics of Riding." 

The informative lecture will be at the Cranford Community Center 220 Walnut Ave. on Wednesday Dec. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be presentation about the proposed skatepark to serve the communities of Cranford, Garwood, Westfield, and Mountainside, and a panel of experts will be present to answer questions. 

The Freewheels Club is comprised of members of the community who skateboard, ride BMX bikes, and people who support them.  Anyone can join the club at the meeting.  Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

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Hyatt Hills commission meets with committee during executive session

by LESLIE MURRAY -- THE CHRONICLE

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 7:10 AM

CRANFORD--In an update on the financial status of the Hyatt Hills golf course, the Township Committee met with Hyatt Hills Executive Director Robert Hoeffler and the course's legal consultant, Dan McCarthy of Rogut, McCarthy, Troy.

The conversation, which focused on contractual matters between the golf course commission and General Motors, occurred during an executive session discussion during the Monday, Nov. 24 meeting.

A former General Motors plant facility, the nine-hole golf course straddles the border of Cranford and Clark townships and is run by an appointed commission of residents from both towns. Because the majority of the property falls with in Clark, the majority of the commission members hail from that town.

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Cranford to receive $200, 000 in state aid for Holly Street reconstruction

by LESLIE MURRAY -- THE CHRONICLE

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 5:58 PM

CRANFORD--As part of the New Jersey Department of Transportation's (NJDOT) $78.75 million in municipal aid for road projects for 2009, Cranford received $200,000 to complete the reconstruction of Holly Street, Mayor Bob Puhak announced last week.

During the Nov. 25 official Township Committee meeting, Puhak said that they had been notified earlier in the month that the NJDOT had authorized the funds for the road work.

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The Chronicle is seeking a full-time Editorial Assistant

by The Chronicle

Tuesday December 02, 2008, 2:00 PM

The Cranford Chronicle is seeking a full-time editorial assistant.
One-plus years of relevant experience preferred.
Job responsibilities would include: copy editing and rewriting press releases, photo resizing/touchup, paginating pages, maintaining local sports team's schedules, web uploads, and page proofing.
The editorial assistant should be: organized, detail oriented, enthusiastic, a team player and have the ability to work quickly and efficiently under the pressures of a weekly deadline.
Experience paginating with Quark requried. Photoshop a plus. Interest/knowledge of sports writing/editing also a plus.
Interested parties should e-mail resumes and relevant news clips to smagnola@njnpublishing.com, within the body of email only.

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