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| Woodstown High School students rehearse a dance in their spring musical "BRIGADOON" Performances are Feb. 29 (3:30 p.m.) Mar. 1, 2, 7, 8 (7 p.m.), Mar. 9 (2 p.m). Tickets at CurtainCallClub.org |
Hear ye, hear ye! O yez, o yez!
As a former news reporter for The News of Cumberland County, Today's Sunbeam, and the Gloucester County Times (which all became the South Jersey Times), I miss reporting. Though I don't have the ability to be a full-time news reporter any more, I thought I'd put together a column (possibly weekly) with a round-up of local news.
Nevertheless, in the spirit of Town Crier-ing, here is a round-up of news I felt prudent to share ...
Woodstown Crier Column — Friday, Feb. 23, 2024
COMMUNITY
• Woodstown Schools Community Forum: Monday, Feb. 26, Tues. Feb 27. This hour-long event will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders – families, students, teachers, staff, and community members – to share their perspectives, ask questions, and contribute ideas for the future of our district. (Register here)
• Farming: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) registration is available at Buzby Farm. Sign up now for a fully customizable supply of produce beginning the week of May 6. Support a working family farm and a community of local producers. Help keep Salem County green. Connect with the seasonality of local food. Fill your table with the freshest produce harvested and packed just for you. Your box will be created especially for you based on your preferences and you can preview and customize your box.
• Dance & History: In observance and celebration of Black History Month (February), The Hip Hop Shop of Swedesboro held a program at Woodstown High School, and from the looks of the video, the students were not shy about jumping and jiving together. Even Principal Rich Senor got in on the fun! "We taught some hip hop, fun hype music and club bangers for the dance floor! All the kids were so much fun, respectful and the participation was way more than I expected from 9th-12th graders! The staff and students were so welcoming. Thank you for recognizing my business during Black History Month," wrote Jenn Romano-Baus of The Hip Hop Shop.
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| Woodstown students learn the basics and history of Hip Hop as part of their celebration of Black History Month, led by The Hip Hop Shop of Swedesboro. Photo shared by Jenn Romano-Baus on Pilesgrove-Woodstown Living (Facebook). |
• Overheard: The Petit Farm on Auburn Road was sold. Rumor is it will still be used for farming. Let's hope that's true and not warehouses.
• Sighting: Speaking of local news coverage — Thomas Drayton of Fox 29 was spotted trying the new bread bowl at Woodstown Diner.
ENTERTAINMENT
• UNPLUGGED LIGHTS, Maggie DiPalma and Paul Kranz will perform live acoustic music at Creekside Inn, 6 - 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024.
• BRIGADOON, presented by the historic Woodstown High School Drama Club, will be performed Feb. 29 at 3:30 p.m., March 1, 2, 7, 8 at 7 p.m., and March 9 at 2 p.m. This story follows two American hunters hiking through the highlands of Scotland who stumble upon a peculiar but lively village not on any map — only to learn that one day in Brigadoon is 100 years on Earth. Get tickets to this magical tale here: Tickets!
• ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, presented by the Blue Moon Theatre at the Woodstown Opera House, just announced its cast, and it is stacked with Woodstown talent — especially a return to the stage of Paul Kranz, Woodstown High's long-time theatre director. Performances are this April.
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| The recently announced cast of "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" at the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House) features plenty of Woodstown actors include Ricky Thompson, Brady Thompson, Sam Williams, and Paul Kranz, to name a few. |
• DIVAS LIVE! A Drag Show, presented by the Blue Moon Theatre at the Woodstown Opera House. Saturday, Mar. 2, 2024, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets.
• MUSIC AT FRIENDS, Sunday, Mar. 24, 2024. Featuring Arielle Egan (Woodstown) and Tyler Daddario. From the site: Join Arielle and pianist Tyler Daddario as they delve into the world of Broadway style, composition, and influence. From Broadway’s origins to shows that have opened in the last 15 years, hear the music you love ... and will love to discover ... as Tyler and Arielle connect the dots in between. More info.
ATHLETICS
• Basketball: Girls Varsity, Woodstown vs. Overbrook @ Woodstown; Friday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.
• Basketball: Girls Varsity NJSIAA Playoffs, Woodstown vs. Penns Grove @ Woodstown; Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
GOVERNMENT
• Meeting: Woodstown Borough Council, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
• Meeting: Pilesgrove Twp Committee, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
Woodstown Crier: I'll see everyone next Friday & Saturday at Woodstown's BRIGADOON. Bell in hand. Might switch up my outfit with a very 'Woodstown' kilt!
Want to share your Woodstown-Pilesgrove news in the Crier Column? Email Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com
A nod to the past: The Crier Column was inspired by the BEN Column (Bridgeton Evening News) created and authored by the incomparable Jack Hummel. Hummel was an editor and reporter for the Bridgeton News for decades. I met him when I started in 2010 and he was a great mentor to me and so many other young reporters. He was a polarizing figure because of his astute impartiality. Fair was fair when it came to Jack. He died in early 2019. I miss him every time I write. Honoring the past and those who came before us in important as I believe it informs our future. Like my column on Town Crier Ron LeHew, here's a tribute to Hummel I wrote when he passed in 2019.
"My radio shuffled to Patsy Cline tonight.
I'm no mystic.
But it no less evokes a cool memory of one of my greatest mentors.
Someone who made me know I was welcome at the paper.
A writer who taught me fairness and courage.
An editor with whom I spent many a wonderful late night proofreading pages.
Maybe acting a fool.
He often played Patsy Cline, and many other old country artists, late at night.
He was the king of short sentences.
And new grafs.
I know he'd be angry I'm posting about him on social media.
He'd grumble.
Then brush the rice cake crumbs off his cut-off hoodie.
And his shorts.
And call me out in the column.
God, I loved this man.
RIP Jack Hummel."
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