Real Estate Homes in Cranford, Westfield, Garwood, Fanwood and other areas in New Jersey

Memorial Day Dedication Honoring Veterans in Cranford NJ

Posted on 05/23/2013 by Sharon Steele

It’s the perfect ending to a Memorial Day parade. This year, at the finish of the parade on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27^th, the Cranford Historical Society will be honoring Cranford’s Civil War veterans by dedicating a new monument in Memorial Park, on Springfield Avenue in Cranford. The dedication coincides with the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, an observance which began in 2011 and runs until 2015.

On October 27, 2009, the Cranford Historical Society was designated as the lead organization for commemorating that defining period of American history. Founded in 1927, the Cranford Historical Society’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate the history of Cranford. The Society has been sponsoring programs throughout the war’s anniversary to broaden public awareness of the transformative events leading to the conclusion of that great struggle. The Civil War monument’s installation, and the availability of the accompanying dedication pamphlet, are the culmination of over ten years of research and fundraising by the Cranford Historical Society’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee. It was supported by a Union County History Grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Steven D. Glazer, Chairperson of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee of the Cranford Historical Society, has worked tirelessly for the past decade, studying and writing about Cranford’s place in the Civil War. He is the author of Discover Your Community’s Civil War Heritage, and a key contributor to New Jersey Goes to War and New Jersey’s Civil War Odyssey, official publications of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association’s Sesquicentennial Committee.

The Historical Society’s created this new memorial stone to stand as a reminder to continuing Cranford generations of the contributions, sacrifices, and history-shaping actions made by town residents of the past. About eighty people who fought during the Civil War lived in the area prior to, or immediately after, the Civil War. Many Civil War veterans also held key positions in early Cranford, including the role of mayor, township committee members, and town justice. Many Civil War veterans developed or farmed the land in Cranford, while others established churches in the community. Quite a few Cranford residents took part in major battles during the Civil War, and some are even reported to have had direct connections with President Abraham Lincoln, for whom Cranford’s Lincoln Avenue was named, including two residents who were reported to be present in Ford’s Theatre the night the president was fatally shot. Another Cranfordian reportedly assisted in thwarting the first assassination plot against President-elect Lincoln as he made his way to his first inauguration in Washington. More fascinating information is available if you contact the Historical Society’s office at 908-276-0082 or cranfordhistoricalsociety@verizon.net, or visit the website at www.cranfordhistoricalsociety.com

If you plan to be at the Memorial Day parade, before you head home to fire up the grill for those burgers and dogs, take a few moments to enjoy this dedication. And to think about what our Cranford ancestors did to help maintain this country. And to remember why we celebrate the day in the first place. And to admire the Civil War monument, think a bit, and say a quiet thank you to those who allowed you to be here.

Posted in Cranford NJ Community Information | Tagged Community, community information, Cranford, neighborhood, New Jersey | Leave a comment

Tips to Protect Your Home From Burglary

Posted on 05/22/2013 by Sharon Steele

It’s probably one of every homeowner’s greatest fears. It can rob you, not only of your belongings, but of your peace of mind, as well. It is a personal invasion as well as a property invasion. It is burglary, and it is something every homeowner wants to protect against.

Probably the first thing that comes to mind for most in terms of burglary protection is some type of alarm system. There is a huge variety to choose from, with a huge variety of pricetags. The cheapest of systems provide noise alone, to deter would-be trespassers, and awaken residents and neighbors to phone emergency services. The more expensive ones will hook directly up TO a service, which will then contact emergency services for you. There are even those that can be controlled remotely, from your computer or your phone, whether you are home or not. These usually offer a lot more than just burglary protection . . . . possibly even allowing you to control your lights, thermostat, and video feeds from home. It pays to research before having an alarm system installed, to make sure it is the right one to suit your needs, and your wallet.

If an alarm service is not realistic for you, then don’t despair. There are a great many things, most of which are extremely simple, that homeowners can do to protect themselves from thieves and break-ins. A little thought and care can actually go a long, long way towards protecting your home and your family.

Burglary is a crime of opportunity, and nobody window shops better than a burglar. Don’t allow your home to be a storefront of opportunity and marketing. Don’t, for example, draw undue attention to your home by discarding empty boxes at the curb with your trash. Lining up empty boxes from TV’s, gaming systems, or appliances after Christmas or a birthday is like displaying a menu of available items in your home. Break those boxes down and hide them amongst your recyclables. Use shades, drapes and other window treatments to keep indoor household items that may be tempting out of view and out of temptation. Essentially, make window shopping at your home impossible.
No burglar wants to walk the red carpet of conspicuousness into your home. Trim back bushes, shrubs, and trees so that all doors, windows, and porches are visible from the street and sidewalk. A dark or poorly lit property area makes it easier for a burglar to go about unseen. Motion-sensored lighting is often a perfect solution, as it prevents the need to have lights on ALL the time. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Using timers is another excellent way to thwart burglary, especially if you are not going to be home for any extended period of time, such as leaving for a vacation. Timers that are hooked up to indoor lights, as well as radios or televisions, are a great idea. They can run from about $5 – $40, depending on their sophistication, but even a basic plug-in unit can turn a light on and off once or twice a day. A more expensively wired digital outlet switch can switch lights on at any number of set or random times.
The majority of all burglaries take place at ground floor doors and windows, All entry doors should be solid wood or steel-wrapped wood-core doors, because, despite the care you may take to use a variety of locks, hollow-core doors or old wood-panel doors can be kicked in easily from their frames, and don’t offer much protection. For doors with imbedded windows, installing a protective barrier of quarter-inch Plexiglas over any existing glass can offer added protection, and can prevent burglars from breaking the window and either opening the door’s lock from the inside or getting into the house through the opening itself.

Deadbolt locks should be installed in every outdoor entry door. Insurance companies and locksmiths usually recommend Grade 1 or Grade 2 American National Standards Institute deadbolt locks on exterior entryways. There are two main types of deadbolts – single cylinder and double cylinder locks. A single cylinder deadbolt has a keyed opening on one side, and a knob or latch that can be turned by hand on the other side. A double cylinder deadbolt lock, which may be slightly more expensive, is keyed on BOTH sides. Each offers plusses and minuses. A double cylinder lock might be a better choice on doors with an imbedded window, or one near a window, as it prevents a burglar from breaking the glass, reaching in, and opening a latch…… he would need a key to open it from the inside, as well. But, keep in mind, this means that it would also be more difficult for residents to open, and they can impede a speedy exit from a home in case of fire. Leaving the key IN the inside lock would completely defeat the purpose.

It seems almost silly to say, but, honestly, the best protection you can offer your home is a little common sense. Insure all of your more expensive household belongings, and keep a list of them. It is also a very good idea to keep photographs of things (including jewelry and more personal items), as well as all insurance information, in a folder that you can refer to. Lock all your doors and windows whenever you leave your home. Be aware of your surroundings or strangers lurking about. Make friends with your neighbors, tell them when you won’t be home for any length of time, and have them take in your mail. Look out for each other and for each others’ homes. In the end, a tight-knit community is the very best protection against burglary. Being neighborly, and being smart, can offer you the greatest protection of all.

Posted in Home Ownership | Tagged home ownership, Home Safety | Leave a comment

Jersey Shore History Presentation at the Cranford Community Center

Posted on 05/20/2013 by Sharon Steele

You’ve got to love New Jersey. What other state in the union would have a building shaped like and elephant and a ship made out of concrete? Brilliant.

On Wednesday, May 22, at 7:30 PM at the Cranford Community Center at 220 Walnut Avenue, The Friends of the Cranford Library will host regional historian and photographer Kevin Woyce. There is no charge for attendance, and attendees are sure to learn some fun facts about the jersey shore – just in time for summer and visits to our local beaches!

Woyce will offer a colorful tour, complete with original photography and vintage maps, of the interesting and unique history of the jersey shore. Learn about things of historical significance, such as storms, pirates, and shipwrecks. See points of interest and learn their stories, such as lighthouses, boardwalks, hotels, resorts, and amusement parks. You can even find out how various seaside communities got their names. Many things which very well may have been a regular part of your summer beach experience may have stories behind them you weren’t aware of.

Why not check it out and be entertained? You might already know all of the interesting stories about the Jersey coast, but come anyway, just to be “shore.”

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“Meet The Local Author” Cranford’s Crane-Phillips Museum Features John Shubeck

Posted on 05/17/2013 by Sharon Steele

Sour Cream, Blueberries, And You is not a dessert special on a menu. It is, in fact, a book offering an insightful look into everyday life in our area.

On Sunday, May 19th, from 2:00- 4:00 PM at the Crane-Phillips House Museum at 124 North Union Avenue in Cranford, The Cranford Historical Society will host an afternoon of their “Meet the Local Author” program. Present will be local author and Cranford resident John Shubeck, who will present a discussion of his recently published work, Sour Cream, Blueberries, and You: A Memoir, and offer book signings. Author, photographer, and local existentialist, John Shubeck has compiled more than one hundred short stories, poems, observations, and photographs recording everyday happenings. Shubeck uses experiences gleaned from his everyday life with family, business, society, and nature, and he explores how each change in life brings with it new experiences and new doors to open. He will also discuss his experiences through the entire process of actually publishing his book.

Amazon.com posts the following description of his latest book – “Sour Cream, Blueberries, and You” offers a new look at life and how we live as described by author and photographer John Shubeck through more than one hundred short stories, poems, observations, and photographs recording everyday happenings. What you now see as mundane can be revealed with hidden opportunities and humor, providing new insights through his observations. An occasional bit of reality presents food for thought and opens doors to what could be. From the emotion of “A Woman in Love” to the vicarious sadness expressed in “Today I Saw a Friend,” Shubeck’s writing considers friendship or love in a new light. He uses the experiences he has gleaned from his family, business, and society; even nature is exposed and seen differently. By opening wonderful new worlds, new experiences have come his way with each life change. He has not only become more aware of the world around him, but he also revels in the new and exciting relationships that have come with each new start in his life.”

In the Introduction of his book, Shubeck himself writes, “I hope my curiosity gave some insights that I will use to tickle your fancy and have you saying, ‘Yes, I never thought of that, but now I see.’ While recuperating from a heart attack in 2004, I walked the streets of Cranford, New Jersey, and as a resident photographer, I recorded it’s lifegiving beauty and atmosphere.”

Admission to this event is free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Perhaps we could all use a bit of a spotlight on Cranford’s “lifegiving beauty and atmosphere,” and the chance to appreciate what has been all around us all along. A visit with John Shubert may offer just the feel-good perspective we need.

Cranford NJ’s Crane-Phillips House Museum

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Annual Cranford Antique Show and Sale 5/18/13

Posted on 05/15/2013 by Sharon Steele

There’s something truly special about finding an antique or vintage gem. It holds a story. It boasts a history, even if it is a silent or secret one. It gains new life, while adding a unique new flavor, to your home or in your possession. It’s something only YOU will have, because it’s not something readily available off of a current day assembly line. It is a prize at the end of a hunt.

On Saturday, May 18^th, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, head out to the Cranford United Methodist Church parking lot, at 201 Lincoln Avenue East (at the corner of Walnut), to find some timeless gems at the annual Cranford Antique Show and Sale.

Dealers will be set up, ready to show, talk about, and sell their fine antiques and vintage treasures. Virtually all varieties of antiques will be available . . . . including dolls, postcards, tools, books, linens, textiles, pottery, porcelain, jewelry, toys, decorative items, and period furniture. Truly, something for every type of collector or interest holder.

At the very least, it promises to be a fun and enlightening stroll through time. And you may just walk out with an item whose story you are destined to continue.

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Cranford NJ Historical Society Garage Sale 5/18/13 ( FOR A BARN!!)

Posted on 05/13/2013 by Sharon Steele

Cranford NJ’s Crane-Phillips House Museum

On Saturday, May 18^th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, at 216 Holly Street, The Cranford Historical Society will host a fundraising garage sale, to raise funds for a barn. That’s right – a barn. The plan is to purchase a miniature barn, to be placed on the grounds at the Crane-Phillips House Museum at 124 North Union Avenue, just as it was in the late 1800’s. This is a much anticipated addition to the popular town museum, which offers residents an opportunity to step back in time to Cranford’s early roots.

The Crane-Phillips House Museum is on the National and State Register of Historic Places and was named an “American Treasure” by the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1999. The house is a charming Victorian cottage , offering visitors glimpse of what life was like for a modest family in the Victorian era. It illustrates the late 19th century as the “era of invention” and highlights inventions that changed everyday life for the average person. (Owner Henry Phillips, himself, was one of the first inventors of the modern kitchen range hood, and his brother, Dr. Charles H. Phillips, was the inventor of Phillips Milk of Magnesia.)

The Cranes were the first settlers to come to the area in the early 18th century (1715), build mills on the river and establish a farm on the west side of the Rahway River. This house was first built circa 1840 by Josiah Crane for his son, Josiah Jr., when he married. Josiah Crane Jr. later sold the property in 1867 to Henry and Cecelia Phillips, who lived there until Henry’s death in 1911. It was Mr. and Mrs. Phillips who built most of the cottage in the Downing style.

Today, the Crane-Phillips House features an outstanding collection of artifacts from area Native Americans, Revolutionary and Civil War eras, and 19^th century farm and town life. Changing exhibits include major displays from the Society’s extensive antique clothing collection. It is hoped that the addition of the barn will further illustrate the true conditions and day to day life of times past, for the families, school groups, and others who visit the museum.

The barn will be purchased in memory of Donald Widdows, a member and former trustee of the Cranford Historical Society, which preserves and perpetuates the history of Cranford. So if you make a purchase at the garage sale, you will be able to say that you are partially responsible for that barn-raising. Plus, you may come home with a few treasures of your own. For questions about the Garage Sale, please call 908-447-6994.

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Cranford New Jersey’s Historic Droescher’s Mill

Posted on 05/07/2013 by Sharon Steele

People in comfy clothes and carrying water bottles and rolled up mats can constantly be seen walking in and out of Alleum Yoga. It’s a great place to relieve stress and get in a good workout. It helps that the setting is one of a serene, wooded area, with the gentle sights and sounds of running water as a backdrop. That’s because Alleum Yoga is located in the Cranford building known affectionately as “The Mill,” at 347 Lincoln Avenue East. Proof that mills still stand as an important piece of the historical puzzle of our area.
Droescher’s Mill is situated directly on the banks of the Rahway River, and finds itself proudly featured on an enormous number of postcards, pictures, book covers, and artwork representing Cranford. It is a town icon.
Originally built in 1740, it was then known as the Williams Mill. Powered directly by the river current, it produced grain and lumber, as well a countless other supplies. Because this area was such a vital hub during the Revolutionary War, there is some speculation that both the Williams Mill and Cranes Mill, (built about 20 years prior to the Williams Mill), provided grain for Washington’s troops during the Revolution. It was easily accessed by Old York Road, which linked Philadelphia and New York and ran right across the ford, and later by the stagecoach road now known as Lincoln Avenue.
When Severin R. Droescher bought the old mill in the early 1900’s, he used it to manufacture barber supplies. He also installed the floodgates on the damn and built fieldstone retaining walls along the banks of the surrounding river, as part of his development efforts in and around the area of Lincoln Park.
Now used as an office building, it has the distinction of being the oldest continuously operated commercial building in New Jersey. Its cast-iron water turbine is still in place. Droescher’s Mill still stands beautifully and proudly on the Rahway, and is one of quite a few buildings in the area proudly included in the National Registry. For area residents, it is an icon of home. And it provides a beautiful backdrop for yoga, or for a pleasant walk or hike along the Rahway River trail. Doesn’t make for a bad postcard picture, either.

Posted in Cranford NJ Community Information | Tagged Cranford, droeschers mill, NJ | Leave a comment

Progress Boutique in Garwood New Jersey

Posted on 05/05/2013 by Sharon Steele

It’s the thrill of the hunt. Sifting through the possibilities, no two alike, knowing these things probably can’t be found anywhere else and are completely unique. Each tells a story. Each has a past. And then, when you find your prey, the one you know is just right for you, you pounce. It is yours. Uniquely yours. And while you may never know the story of its past, you are able to give it new life in the present, and look damn good yourself while doing so.

Such is the joy of secondhand and consignment shopping.

Progress, the new boutique at 200 North Avenue in Garwood, is a vintage and consignment shop very much like the ones to be found in Greenwich Village or Soho in NYC, with very much the same feel, but right here in our own backyard. Unlike the chain secondhand stores like Unique, or the charity stores such as The Salvation Army, progress is a boutique above all else, and has a definitively more upscale feel to it. Prices at Progress range anywhere from $5 to $150, and all of the clothes are washed or steamed before they hit the racks. The shop offers women’s, teen’s, and men’s clothing. Owner and operator Tricia Caminos welcomes locals to come in with the clothes they no longer want, use, or fit into. Customers can bring in unwanted, new, or gently used clothes and receive a percentage of what Caminos will sell them for – either 40 percent of her prices in store credit or 20 percent cash on the spot. It’s a win-win situation!

Caminos acquires her inventory from garage sales, walk-ins, and word of mouth. She will only accept what she knows she can sell, not anything and everything. She’s choosy about her inventory. It is limited to the hip and trendy and the vintage, so there’s no need to sort through . . . ick . . . to get to the good stuff. And you don’t feel like you need to wash your hands immediately upon leaving the store, as is true of some of the chain secondhand stores.

Caminos, a Cranford mother of three, had been working from home via the internet-based travel agency she owned while raising her children. When she felt it was time to move on, she decided to stick close to her home community. After searching the Cranford-Westfield area for a while, Caminos decided that the long-vacant garage in Garwood was the ideal setting for her business. It makes sense, if you think about it. The building, like the items she sells, represent the idea of taking the old, existing, and available, and making them new and useful again. It’s actually the perfect marriage of business and building. The building was renovated into beautiful, unique space for the beautiful, unique clothing inside. Both now offer a one-of-a-kind charm for customers to enjoy. It eliminates waste of both a viable space and wonderful clothing and accessories that still have great life.

And why did she think this was the perfect place for this business venture? Aside from the fact that nothing quite like it could be found in town, she just loves the neighborhood. She is quoted as saying, “The neighborhood is great! The town has been really supportive. I feel like everybody around here has been dying for this place to be something.”
Check the store out at https://www.facebook.com/ProgressResale. Or, better yet, go hunting yourself. You never know what gem you may come out with!

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Cranford NJ’s Centennial Village Velocity 5K

Posted on 05/05/2013 by Sharon Steele

Centennial Village Velocity 5K

It’s time to lace up, warm up, and carb up!!!

The Cranford Centennial Village Group, which works towards improvements to the Centennial Village District, is hosting their annual Velocity 5K run on Sunday, June 2^nd. The race will begin promptly at 9:30 AM, in front of Lincoln School, at 132 Lincoln Avenue on the corner of Centennial Avenue in Cranford. Registration opens that day at 8:30.

Pre-registration is open until May 17^th, and includes t-shirts for runners. Early registration is $20 ($15 for kids), same-day registration is $25 ($20 for kids). Awards will be given to both men and women, in varied age categories. The course itself is certified and flat (always a good thing when running!), and will be officially timed by NJ Races.

And, for what might be the very BEST part, stay for a bit at the completion of the race. Because A Toute Heure, which is located practically right across the street from Lincoln School, will be providing a post-race-taste! That, in and of itself, is reason to go!

To sponsor, volunteer, or get further information, contact Jackie Carr at (908)370-3130, or at cvgvelocity@gmail.com .

You can register at www.runsignup.com or www.raceforum.com .

It’s a great way to support your community and local businesses, while getting in some exercise and quality outdoor time! “Race for your home place,” you might say!

Posted in Cranford NJ Community Information | Tagged centennial village, Cranford, NJ | Leave a comment

Mixing Vegetables and Ornamentals in a Small Garden

Posted on 05/04/2013 by Sharon Steele

So you only have a small plot of land on your property to use for gardening. There’s no need to be jealous of your friends’ and coworkers’ fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, and there’s certainly no need to sneak into your neighbors’ gardens under cover of darkness for fresh pilfered produce. In fact, sometimes the very best advice with gardening, as with life in general, is “Keep it simple.”
There is no rule that says that vegetables and ornamentals can’t coexist. (Seriously, there’s not even a rulebook!) If you’ve got a little area where you have flowers or small shrubs, who says you can’t mix in a tomato plant or some lettuce? And fresh herbs are even better . . . . many of them flower and are both edible AND ornamental! Just do your research first; most vegetables and herbs require full sun and well-drained, moist soil. Also keep the size of plants in mind . . . . tomato plants grow tall, so would be best suited to the BACK of a garden or flower bed, and some plants, like cucumbers and green beans, tend to grow tendrils around surrounding plants.
But, that being said, vegetables and flowers can live harmoniously together. In fact, be adventurous . . . . that ornamental plot in the FRONT of your yard? Give the neighbors something to talk about by planting vegetables or herbs there. Again – there’s no rulebook, and no rule that says veggies have to be planted in the backyard or out of sight. And, honestly, do most of us really NEED 6 tomato plants? One or two will give you plenty of tomatoes to enjoy throughout the season. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Neat, orderly rows of vegetable and herb plants are fine, if you’ve got the room. If not, throw some basil into that pot of mixed flowers on your front steps, Plant some flowering sage and lavender among the other flowers in the flower bed, and stick some vegetable plants near the rear of the ornamental garden. Be a rebel. “Live like there’s no tomorrow, and garden like you’ll live forever.”

There is no rule that says that vegetables and ornamentals can’t coexist. (Seriously, there’s not even a rulebook!) If you’ve got a little area where you have flowers or small shrubs, who says you can’t mix in a tomato plant or some lettuce? And fresh herbs are even better . . . . many of them flower and are both edible AND ornamental! Just do your research first; most vegetables and herbs require full sun and well-drained, moist soil. Also keep the size of plants in mind . . . . tomato plants grow tall, so would be best suited to the BACK of a garden or flower bed, and some plants, like cucumbers and green beans, tend to grow tendrils around surrounding plants.

But, that being said, vegetables and flowers can live harmoniously together. In fact, be adventurous . . . . that ornamental plot in the FRONT of your yard? Give the neighbors something to talk about by planting vegetables or herbs there. Again – there’s no rulebook, and no rule that says veggies have to be planted in the backyard or out of sight. And, honestly, do most of us really NEED 6 tomato plants? One or two will give you plenty of tomatoes to enjoy throughout the season. KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Neat, orderly rows of vegetable and herb plants are fine, if you’ve got the room. If not, throw some basil into that pot of mixed flowers on your front steps, Plant some flowering sage and lavender among the other flowers in the flower bed, and stick some vegetable plants near the rear of the ornamental garden. Be a rebel. “Live like there’s no tomorrow, and garden like you’ll live forever.”