Crier Column 4/25: Arsenic, a hit! 5th grade back to WMS; Yard Sale at Fairgrounds; Williams bats 100, Brown is pitch perfect in Woodie Ball

 Friday, April 26, 2024

Brent Williams, left, scored his 100th career hit on the Woodstown Varsity Baseball team, and Kayla Brown pitched a perfect game last week. Go Wolverines!!

Hear ye, hear ye! O yez, o yez!

Hope we're all ready to put April behind us and welcome May — it's going to be a hot one!

GREAT NEWS:

THEATRE: Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" at the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House). It was hilarious! Mike Russell directs an outstanding cast featuring plenty of great local talent including Ricky Thompson, Brady Thompson, Sam Williams, and Woodstown High School's long-time drama director Paul Kranz, making his long-awaited return to the stage as a Teddy Roosevelt-type character — I won't give anything away. 

Go see it this weekend: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. I'll be there Saturday with the family.

I saw the show with friends/fellow-actors Aimee Ferenz and Nick Renna. Ferenz wrote a glowing review for South Jersey Theatre Critic. Click here to read it.

LOCAL INTEREST:

WAREHOUSES: I posted a follow-up report on the state of zoning laws in N.J. municipalities and how it affects the rapid rise of warehouse development across the Garden State. Click here to read it.

COMMUNITY

MIDDLE SCHOOL: According to a post on the WPR School District website, some new changes are coming to the school district, most notably, fifth graders will be moved back to Woodstown Middle School. Parents and residents can attend the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Woodstown High School Auditorium. This is all according to their "If, Then" plan, posted to the district website. Here it is below:

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YARDSALE: Salem County's largest community yard sale will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Rt. 40 in Pilesgrove. (Sunday, rain date). All proceeds benefit the Salem County 4th of July festival & fireworks (which will also be held at the fairgrounds this year). More info click here.

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YARDSALE 2: A dispatch from Woodstown Mayor Joe Hiles:

Woodstown Spring Community Yard Sale Day is the First Saturday Day in May. 🌹Woodstown Mayor Joe Hiles & Borough Council added a Summer Community Yard Sale Day for the First Saturday August. 🌞

There is no rain date, there is no list of participating address, there is no need for a yard sale permit on these two days.

Other than Community Yard Sale Days a $5 permit is required and only authorized yard sale signs may be used. Permits and signs may be obtained at Woodstown Borough Hall.

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TRAFFIC: From Mayor Hiles: "Over the next week (weather permitting) Woodstown will be replacing portions of the the water main on Marlton Rd. This is bring done in preparation with Salem County's repaving work. This partnership & cooperation makes sense and saves taxpayers dollars. Expect lane closures & minor delays."

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WREATHS: The Squirrel's Nest Art Studio and Elegantly Loraine are hosting a workshop for making floral wreaths for Mother's Day. No experience necessary. Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. $45 per person with all supplies included. Pay in store or Venmo @Jennifer-Carll-Simon ... visit www.elegantlyloraine.com

Just a reminder ... Mother's day this year is Sunday, May 12 this year. Don't forget!

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FREEDOM RUNNERS: The annual 4th of July Firecracker 5K (for adults) and Sparkler Run (for kids) will take place on July 4 and begin at the Salem County Fairgrounds and will start promptly at 8 a.m. prior to the 10 a.m. parade. Sign up here.

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CAR SHOW: Street Rollers Cruise Night, every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., starting April 2 and running until October 1. Hosted at Wood Lanes Bowling Alley.

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CHURCH : Two dispatches from St John’s Episcopal Church in Salem

• May 5, 2024 at 4 p.m. we will have an Evensong Service.  Evensong is an adaptation of daily evening prayer which is observed through out the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church World wide, and is an ancient tradition which transcends time and distance. For more information you can visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsSalemNJ/

• June 30, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. we will celebrate the Feast of St John’ the Baptist, our patron saint.  We invite you to come and join us for Holy Communion weekly at 8 a.m., 10:30 am on Sunday and at 12 noon on Wednesday.  

ENTERTAINMENT

A scene from ARSENIC & OLD LACE at the Blue Moon Theatre, this weekend, Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets below.

OPERA HOUSE: "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" at the Blue Moon Theatre. April 26, 27 at 8 p.m., April 28 at 2 p.m. A lot of great Woodstown talent in this one — Paul Kranz, Sammi Williams, Rick Thompson, Brady Thompson. Directed by Mike Russell. Tickets here.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL: Congrats to the cast and crew of Woodstown Middle School's "SNOW WHITE MUSICAPALOOZA." This was AngelaRae Hughes' first time as director for the middle school and she did an outstanding job with the students. The cast was stacked with talent and they put on a phenomenal show!

SPORTS

BASEBALL: Congrats to Brent Williams on his 100th career hit in Woodie Ball! His achievement occurred Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in a 14-2 win over Penns Grove High School.

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SOFTBALL: Congrats to Kayla Brown! On Friday, April 19, 2024, Kayla Brown pitched a perfect game in the Varsity Softball Team’s 13-0 win over Wildwood. Kayla struck out 13 of the 15 hitters she faced.

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The Woodstown Athletic Department released its new website, a hub for all things Woodstown High School sports. It can be found here.

SCORES

SCHEDULE

WATCH LIVE EVENTS HERE

GOVERNMENT

Woodstown Borough Council and Pilesgrove Twp Committee meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

WEATHER

FRIDAY: Clouds. High of 64F. Low of 36F.

SATURDAY: Clouds and sun. High of 63F. Low of 38F.

SUNDAY: Clouds and sun. High of 80F. Low of 48F.

Forecast: Hot and sunny all week with temperatures starting in the upper 80s. Rain and 70F on Thursday. Back to the high 60s next weekend.

Woodstown Crier: Where we welcome the start of May this week, so put on that sunscreen because it's going to be a scorcher.

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Want to share your Woodstown-Pilesgrove news in the Crier Column? Email Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com

Who or what is to blame for the Pilesgrove warehouses? It's complicated

The Erdner Warehouse — a vestige of the past with its inspirational quotes leading into Woodstown. The Pilesgrove Warehouses are an example of an ever-growing issue plaguing the Garden State — they comply with zoning ordinances that were written long before the sprawl of warehouses.

PILESGROVE — Last week, I shared some strongly worded reflections about the recent groundbreaking of the Pilesgrove warehouses where the sod farms used to be on Route 45. I need to clarify my position.

First and foremost, what I wrote was entirely my opinion. I post news here, and though what I was writing about was "news" in the sense that it happened (the warehouses are being built), I wrote about it through the lens of my own anger about what's to come because of the warehouses. 

To be fair, however, I took some shots at our elected officials. Though I don't feel they are immune from criticism or accountability as public figures and elected officials — there are a few things that need to be clarified. (*Also, a disclaimer, that since I was discussing politics, absolutely nothing I wrote was meant to have been taken or should have been taken personally.)

According to Carey Marie Italiano, a Pilesgrove resident with a background in law and business administration, the township committee was essentially out of options.

"It is illegal for Pilesgrove to say a commercial contractor cannot build a commercial structure on their commercial property," Italiano wrote in a Facebook post responding to my comments about the warehouses. "[T]he warehouse developers asked for a Pilot program to be in place and Pilesgrove said 'Nah!'"

I wrote that Pilesgrove officials "sold out" the township to warehouse developers, and that's where I was incorrect — I regret the error and I take it back, because Italiano is right. It's more complicated than that.

According to one example cited in a report from The Press of Atlantic City, Pittsgrove township residents rallied against a proposed 962,500-square-foot warehouse at state Route 56 and Salem County Route 638, last May (2023)

Residents expressed concerns about the overflow of traffic and its impact on local infrastructure, sound, emissions, etc.

The planning board's solicitor, however, said, "the warehouse was a permitted use in the zone and the board couldn’t "'turn down a permitted use due to traffic concerns,'" according to the report. 

The problem isn't Pilesgrove or the township officials or the many other municipalities that have tried in earnest to stop the spread of warehouses. The problem appears to be a broader systemic issue that warehouse developers are taking advantage of throughout the entire state — outdated laws.

"A lot of towns have been caught soft-footed, on unstable ground, with the boom of warehouses," said Ed Potosnack, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, in a report on NJ101.5.

Current zoning laws in most N.J. municipalities were written at a time when the likelihood of a warehouse being built in a small town was minimal. With the boom in online retail, especially exacerbated by the rise of Amazon Prime and the convenience of delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, warehouses are a new norm and they are spreading at a record pace across the state. Even if rural land is zoned for light industrial use, the applications for warehouses are proposed in such a way that the projects fit the requirements.

Another example, in Harrison Township (Gloucester County), the township committee attempted to veto a $2.1 million industrial complex in late 2022, but the veto was reversed by the Gloucester County Superior Court the following year, according to ALM Globest.

There's also little the state itself can do because N.J. is a home-rule state, giving broad autonomy to municipalities in their zoning and planning.

In 2022, the N.J. State Planning Commission (SPC) urged municipalities to revise their zoning ordinances to protect against "poorly sited and scaled" warehouse projects.

The solution is likely even more complicated than that — but, updating and revising existing zoning and planning laws is the best place to start.

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Sources:

New Jersey State Planning Commission: Distribution Warehousing and Goods Movement Guidelines | Sept. 2022

The Press of Atlantic City: South Jersey towns need to update zoning for warehouses | June 2023

NJ Court Tosses Board’s Veto of 2.1M SF Warehouse Project

NJ 101.5: NJ proposal to pump the brakes on warehouse 'sprawl' | Dec. 2023

N.J. Home Rule Act

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Reach Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com

Crier Column 4/19: Pilesgrove warehouses; Middle School performs Snow White; Blue Moon performs Arsenic & Old Lace; WHS rallies for veterans

 Friday, April 19, 2024

A scene from ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House). The show premiers this Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. Performance continue Saturday at 8 p.m., then next Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets here.

Hear ye, hear ye! O yez, o yez!

EDIT: I have posted an updated article on my coverage and opinions about the Pilesgrove Warehouse here.

It's been quite a week in Woodstown and Pilesgrove.

GREAT NEWS:

• Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing SNOW WHITE MUSICAPALOOZA performed by the students at Woodstown Middle School. That's where I got my start as an actor (back in 1999)! The students did a phenomenal job. Our middle school has many great singers, and I am sure the high school is eager to welcome them when they graduate eighth grade! This genre-bending retelling of Snow White sets the dwarves on a talk show, recounting the fairytale. Tickets are $10 and performances run Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Congrats to the AngelaRae Hughes, Zachary Sminkey, and the entire cast and crew!

• Tonight, I'll be at the Opening Night of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at the Blue Moon Theatre. There's a lot of great Woodstown talent on stage tonight — of note, Woodstown High's long-time Drama Club director Paul Kranz will debut in the show. Finally back on stage! And from the looks of it (photo above), he's in his element.

• Woodstown students rallied outside the high school to support military veterans this week. Here is the school district's dispatch:

It was a privilege to rally on the front lawn of WHS this morning to show appreciation to a non-profit organization, Honor Flight, which works to provide veterans with opportunities to share in a day of honor at our Nation's memorials in DC. They certainly felt the love with many cheers, smiles, waves, signs & American flags to show our appreciation for their service to our country! 

• Wolverines Zack Bevis, Bobby Donahue, and Shelby Foote all recorded phenomenal achievements in their athletics. There's more coverage under "SPORTS." Congrats to them!

BAD NEWS: 

The beautiful sod farms and the ecosystem, clean air, and good soil it provides in Pilesgrove have been destroyed. Ground was broke for yet more warehouses. Residents were clear they did not want these warehouses, but it appears township officials used their votes to put their own interests ahead of the voters they’re supposed to represent.

We used to be a country town, but more and more we’re falling victim to these failing warehouses. They’re terrible for the environment, terrible on local infrastructure and traffic, and terrible for future property value.

Warehouses are cultureless. They’re eyesores. Never once has anyone with a modicum of class ever driven through a country town and said, “what a beautiful warehouse!”

We’re getting five of them.

Good luck filling them. Like the rest, they’ll be empty once the fad they cater to becomes obsolete or AI and automation replace them.

Will the money Pilesgrove makes from these warehouses and land sales go to anything good for our community? Genuine question. Garbage service? Water? The ancient Romans had water service but Pilesgrove resident have to dig a hole in the ground -- and, the septic tanks now have to go above ground, ruining everyone's yard. 

This township committee does not appear to care about our beautiful land and it's infuriating.

If there’s another side to this story, you know where to reach me and I would love nothing more than to interview them, get their side of the story, and hear what they have to say.

When the newspapers disappeared from this area, so did holding our elected officials accountable.

Voters — vote. 

COMMUNITY

CLEAN-UP: Spring Clean-Up & Meet and Greet. Supports Woodstown Youth Wrestling. Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Camp Crockett, 148 Avis Mill Rd in Pilesgrove. "Get the kids out of the house and come join us for a morning of spring cleaning at the Mill! Stay for a little, stay for a while -- every little bit helps our 100% volunteer coaching staff improve facilities for our kids." For more information, click here and to sign up email woodstownwrestling@gmail.com.

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WREATHS: The Squirrel's Nest Art Studio and Elegantly Loraine are hosting a workshop for making floral wreaths for Mother's Day. No experience necessary. Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. $45 per person with all supplies included. Pay in store or Venmo @Jennifer-Carll-Simon ... visit www.elegantlyloraine.com

Just a reminder ... Mother's day this year is Sunday, May 12 this year. Don't forget!

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CAR SHOW: Street Rollers Cruise Night, every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., starting April 2 and running until October 1. Hosted at Wood Lanes Bowling Alley.

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MARLTON PARK: Sponsorships are open for the CONCERTS IN THE PARK series at Marlton Recreation Park. The series is held every fourth Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., May through October. The line up was just announced:

May 23: Pearl Street (Soul)

June 27: The Jersey Corn Pickers (Bluegrass)

July 25: Salem American Legion Band (Ensemble)

August 22: The Carrols (Irish) + Kids Night!

September 26: Unplugged Lights (Acoustic)

October 24: The Travelling Woodburys (Acoustic Rock)

ENTERTAINMENT

SNOW WHITE: The Woodstown Middle School Drama Club presents THE SNOW WHITE MUSICAPALOOZA! April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. The show is great for families and children as it tells the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in a very unique way!

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OPERA HOUSE: "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" at the Blue Moon Theatre. April 19, 20, 26, 27 at 8 p.m., April 28 at 2 p.m. A lot of great Woodstown talent in this one — Paul Kranz, Sammi Williams, Rick Thompson, Brady Thompson. Directed by Mike Russell. Tickets here.

SPORTS

The Woodstown Athletic Department released its new website, a hub for all things Woodstown High School sports. It can be found here.

Also, congrats to our outstanding Wolverine Athletes! Check out their achievements below:

SCORES

SCHEDULE

WATCH LIVE EVENTS HERE

GOVERNMENT

MEETING: Woodstown Borough Council, April 23, 7 p.m. 

MEETING: Pilesgrove Twp Committee, April 23, 7 p.m. 

Woodstown Borough Council and Pilesgrove Twp Committee meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

WEATHER

FRIDAY: Clouds. High of 63F. Low of 44F.

SATURDAY: Clouds and sun. High of 68F. Low of 48F.

SUNDAY: Clouds and sun. High of 57F. Low of 39F.

Forecast: A cooler weekend than we've had. No rain next week. Mostly sunny with clouds. Temps range in the low to mid 60s.

Woodstown Crier: Where we elected these guys to preserve our farmland and they did the opposite. What Pilesgrove lacks, Woodstown makes up. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Click here to register to vote.

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Want to share your Woodstown-Pilesgrove news in the Crier Column? Email Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com

Crier Column 4/11: 'La Famiglia' at the Opera House; Tulana Mingin bats 100th career hit; Middle School presents 'Snow White'

Thursday, April 11, 2024

The cast of "LA FAMIGLIA" at the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House). Their show will be performed this weekend, Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Proceeds support the Woodstown Women's Club.

Hear ye, hear ye! O yez, o yez!

We survived the Earthquake. We survived the Eclipse. What next?! Well, for one, temperatures in these parts will climb to almost 80F on Monday. You can stay cool by heading over to the Opera House (Blue Moon Theatre) this weekend to see "La Famiglia" ... Italian families will especially appreciate! Or check out "Arsenic and Old Lace" the following weekend. If you have little kids, bring them to the high school to see "Snow White."

The Solar Eclipse over Pilesgrove on Monday, April 8, 2024. I took this on my iPhone looking through the tinted film on my eclipse glasses. The next partial solar eclipse we'll be able to view will be on August 12, 2045. The next total solar eclipse will be May 1, 2079. I'll be a young, strapping 91. See you there!

I played organ again at the First Baptist in Woodstown last Sunday and it was a wonderful time! Many thanks to the great team and staff over there. Such a welcoming environment. I look forward to playing again on their next communion Sunday, May 5 at 9:30 a.m.

COMMUNITY

CLEAN-UP: Spring Clean-Up & Meet and Greet. Supports Woodstown Youth Wrestling. Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Camp Crockett, 148 Avis Mill Rd in Pilesgrove. "Get the kids out of the house and come join us for a morning of spring cleaning at the Mill! Stay for a little, stay for a while -- every little bit helps our 100% volunteer coaching staff improve facilities for our kids." For more information, click here and to sign up email woodstownwrestling@gmail.com.

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BAGS: Do you have too many of those reusable bags? Those reusable bags usually last for about 125 uses, but let's be real: too often we use them once and throw them away, right? This creates a lot of problems for the environment. To dispose of your bags properly, bring them to the Salem County Convenience Center at 286 Welchville Rd, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This service is FREE to Salem County residents.

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WREATHS: The Squirrel's Nest Art Studio and Elegantly Loraine are hosting a workshop for making floral wreaths for Mother's Day. No experience necessary. Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. $45 per person with all supplies included. Pay in store or Venmo @Jennifer-Carll-Simon ... visit www.elegantlyloraine.com

Just a reminder ... Mother's day this year is Sunday, May 12 this year. Don't forget!

• 

CAR SHOW: Street Rollers Cruise Night, every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., starting April 2 and running until October 1. Hosted at Wood Lanes Bowling Alley.

ENTERTAINMENT

OPERA HOUSE: "LA FAMIGLIA" at the Blue Moon Theatre. April 12 and 13 at 7 p.m., April 14 at 2 p.m. This is a series of one-act plays based on the humorous book "Gravy Wars: South Philly Foods, Fueds, & Attytudes" by Lorraine Ranalli. The play depicts Italian traditions, superstitions, and idiosyncrasies through one not-so-put-together family from South Philly. Supports the Woman's Club of Woodstown. Tickets here.

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SNOW WHITE: The Woodstown Middle School Drama Club is presenting "The Snow White Musicapalooza!" April 17 at 3:30 p.m. (GRO show, free admission); April 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and April 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. The show is great for families and children as it tells the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in a very unique way!

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OPERA HOUSE: "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" at the Blue Moon Theatre. April 19, 20, 26, 27 at 8 p.m., April 28 at 2 p.m. A lot of great Woodstown talent in this one — Paul Kranz, Sammi Williams, Rick Thompson, Brady Thompson. Directed by Mike Russell. Tickets here.

SPORTS

Tulana Mingin scored her 100th career hit on Woodstown Varsity Softball team. Go Tulana and Go Wolverines!

SOFTBALL: A dispatch from the Wolverines Varsity Softball team reads:

CONGRATULATIONS TULANA MINGIN

On Saturday, April 6th against Camden Catholic, Tulana Mingin recorded her 100th career hit as a member of the varsity softball team. Congratulations Tulana on this awesome accomplishment!

More sports here.

GOVERNMENT

MEETING: Woodstown Borough Council, April 23, 7 p.m. 

MEETING: Pilesgrove Twp Committee, April 23, 7 p.m. 

Woodstown Borough Council and Pilesgrove Twp Committee meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

WEATHER

FRIDAY: Windy. High of 65F. Low of 53F.

SATURDAY: Windy. High of 60F. Low of 48F.

SUNDAY: Clouds and sun. High of 72F. Low of 42F.

Forecast: Next week expect a mix of clouds and sun, with temperatures bouncing back and forth from the 60s to the 70s. We'll start out hot with temps climbing up to almost 80F on Monday.

Woodstown Crier: Where we survived the Earthquake. We survived the Eclipse. If we can survive Tax Day and the Phillies City Connect uniform, we might have a decent summer. 

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Want to share your Woodstown-Pilesgrove news in the Crier Column? Email Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com

Earthquake felt in Woodstown and Pilesgrove

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed at 4.8 earthquake originating in Hunterdon County, N.J. It was felt throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

WOODSTOWN — Did you feel it?

A convulsion rattled Woodstown and Pilesgrove late Friday morning, rumbling floors, shaking walls, and jittering us all onto the internet.

The 4.8 earthquake originated in Whitehouse Station, N.J., an unincorporated community in Readington Township in Hunterdon County — Northwest New Jersey — according to the United States Geological Survey. It was felt around 10:24 a.m.

Early reports indicate the earthquake was felt in New York City, Philadelphia, and other parts of Pennsylvania. Though unconfirmed, some are reporting the earthquake was felt as far north as Rhode Island and as far south as Baltimore, M.D.

"Our region just experienced an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7, with an epicenter near Readington in Hunterdon County." N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"We have activated our State Emergency Operations Center," the governor added. "Please do not call 911 unless you have an actual emergency."

The New York Times confirmed several airports halted air traffic and issued ground stops following the quake. 

A 4.8 earthquake is considered somewhat significant. According to the Michigan Technological University Earthquake Magnitude Scale, an earthquake ranging between 2.5 to 5.4 on the Richter scale  is "often felt, but only causes minor damage."

The last significant earthquake in this region measured 5.8 on the Richter scale. It occurred on August 23, 2011 and originated in Louisa County, Virginia. It was felt as far as New England.

Nick "Nor'Easter Nick" Pittman, a South Jersey meteorologist, wrote on Facebook: This was INDEED the strongest Earthquake that has ORIGINATED in NJ since the 1700s. The 5.8m earthquake in 2011 originated in VIRGINIA and felt in NJ."

Here are some helpful tips on how to stay safe, according to Ready.gov:

How to stay safe based on location:

1. If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

2. If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.

3. If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.

4. If you are inside, stay and do not run outside and avoid doorways.

How to protect yourself:

1. Drop (or Lock)

Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy. If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.

2. Cover

Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris. Stay on your knees or bent over to protect vital organs.

3. Hold On

If you are under a table or desk, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it if it moves. If seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms and hold on to your neck with both hands. 

Click here for detailed information on how to stay safe during an earthquake. 

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Want to share your Woodstown-Pilesgrove news in the Crier Column? 
Email Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com

Crier Column, 4/4: Countertops needed for WHS Football; Food Drive for Disciples Pantry; Pizza Night at Joe's for WHS Band

Woodstown Crier Column
Thursday, April 04, 2024

How about that Town Crier on Easter morning! I had the great opportunity to play the organ at First Baptist Church in Woodstown. It was a treat! Here I am ringing the bell afterward. I'll be back at the organ this Sunday, April 7 at 9:30 a.m.

Hear ye, hear ye! O yez, o yez!

What an Easter! I had the great opportunity to accompany the congregation of First Baptist Church of Woodstown (a packed house, by the way) on the organ. We sang all the favorite Easter hymns and enjoyed a special message from Pastor Tim Joyce. Many thanks to Sarah Reed, Pastor Tim, Kate Dilks-Bird, and Lance Bird for arranging the opportunity to perform at the organ. It was a treat. Many Woodstown-Pilesgrove residents attended and enjoyed the beautiful morning and wonderful service. And they sang great, too!

I'll be at the organ again this Sunday, April 7 at 9:30 a.m. 

Monday, April 8, expect a partial Solar Eclipse. Weather is questionable but should cooperate. Don't look directly at the sun if you don't have the special glasses. 

It was a easy, mild end to a long March. Out like a lamb, they say? April has begun in its normal fashion: showering our grass, trees, gardens and covering our sunshine. 

Thank you, Mrs. Battle, for the kind compliments on the Crier Column. Cheers to good neighbors!

COMMUNITY

The new Woodstown Football concession stand needs counter-tops for the interior. Let's get our Wolverines their counters and kick off a great football season in 2024-2025!

CONCESSION STAND: The Woodstown High School Football Team has a new concession stand (pictured above) and it needs a few finishing touches on the interior. Here is their dispatch: "We recently had new flooring installed and the shelving/base for countertops. We are asking if you or anyone you know is getting rid of countertops OR willing to donate! I have attached some photos and the dimensions needed for the countertops." 

Contact Erica Bokolas at Ebokolas@icloud.com.

Here are the details:

•

FOOD DRIVE: First Baptist of Woodstown is hosting a drive-thru food drive on April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon in the church parking lot. Supports Disciples Pantry. "Please bring your non-perishable food and hygiene items. Things of particular need are peanut butter, jelly (other than grape), pasta, pasta sauce, coffee, and toilet paper."

• 

PIZZA NIGHT: If you'd like to support the Woodstown High School Bands, visit Joe's Pizza in the Pilesgrove Shopping Center on Wednesday, April 10 & 17 from 3 p.m. until close. Purchases benefit Woodstown High School Band programs. Never, in this town, has there been a better reason to buy one of Joe's cheesesteaks or pizzas.

•

YARD SALE: Salem County's Largest Yard Sale will be held on Sunday, April 27, at the Salem County Fairgrounds. Here is their dispatch: "Join us for Salem County’s Largest Yard Sale from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday April 27th at the Salem County Fairgrounds (735 Route 40, Pilesgrove, NJ). To reserve a spot contact Andy Ware (either message on Facebook, call 609-472-0256 or email at wareandy13@gmail.com)"

There will be food trucks. Vendors are responsible for providing their own tables and chairs.

• 10 x 10 outdoor spots are $20 for the day

• 10 x 10 indoor spots are $40 for the day

All proceeds support the Salem County Fourth of July festival/fireworks.

•

JULY 4: Anyone interested in advertising at the Salem County Fourth of July Festival at the Salem County Fairgrounds, please see the following directive from organizer Andy Ware:

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LAKE FEST: Crafters and food vendors wanted. Only three spots left. The event is LAKE FEST on June 2 (rain date June 9) at Memorial Lake in Woodstown. Sponsored by Locals on the Lake and supports Disciples Pantry. Contact Linda Fritz at lafritz19@yahoo.com.

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JOBS: Salem County Economic Development has announced job openings for residents. Positions include Head of Economic Development, Environmental Health Specialist, Community Service Aide (Bilingual), Truck Drivers, Police Officers, and more. To apply, click here.

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WHS BAND: A dispatch from the Woodstown High School Bands announced next year's officers. Virginia Messick will lead as Drum Major and Brandon Zukovsky will assist and lead Brass. Officers are:

• Drum Major - Virginia Messick 

• Assistant Drum Major and High Brass Section Leader - Brandon Zukovsky

• Low Brass Section Leader - Brody Williams

• Woodwind Section Leader - Alexa Miller

• Battery Section Leader - Chris Porreca

• Front Ensemble Section Leader - Karson Chew

• Color Guard Section Leader - Elizabeth Hitchner

• Aide-de-camp - Jon Laning

• Aide-de-camp - Autumn Yates

ENTERTAINMENT

TRIVIA: "QuizzHoe: Trivia Night" at Farmers and Bankers Brewery on Main Street. Your Farmers and Bankers Beertenders, Nan and Mike, have cultivated a flight of trivia questions to challenge your team. Free to play. Prizes for the winning team. Thursday, April 4, 7-8 p.m.

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TRIVIA: "Two Girls and a Quiz Trivia Night" at Farmers and Bankers Brewery on Main Street. Two Girls & a Quiz will host their popular trivia night. Free to play. Trivia continues on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Wednesday, April 10, 7-9 p.m.

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OPERA HOUSE: "LA FAMIGLIA" at the Blue Moon Theatre. April 12 and 13 at 7 p.m., April 14 at 2 p.m. This is a series of one-act plays based on the humorous book "Gravy Wars: South Philly Foods, Fueds, & Attytudes" by Lorraine Ranalli. The play depicts Italian traditions, superstitions, and idiosyncrasies through one not-so-put-together family from South Philly. Supports the Woman's Club of Woodstown. Tickets here.

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OPERA HOUSE: "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE" at the Blue Moon Theatre. April 19, 20, 26, 27 at 8 p.m., April 28 at 2 p.m. A lot of great Woodstown talent in this one — Paul Kranz, Sammi Williams, Rick Thompson, Brady Thompson. Directed by Mike Russell. Tickets here.

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CONCERT: The Salem County Brass Society, under the direction of Mr. Philip Blackman, will host their 47th annual Spring Scholarship Concert on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 3 p.m. The concert will be free and open to the public at Davidow Hall, Salem Community College on 406 Hollywood Avenue in Carney's Point. The Woodstown High School Chamber Choir will perform as the special guest.

SPORTS

Woodstown Sports Schedule click here!

Anyone know where the sports scores are kept? I'd like to get them in the Column.

I was reposting the sports schedules but they're constantly changing due to the weather and I don't have the ability to keep up with it. Maybe I'll post scores if available. 

How's Woodie Ball going? I assume off to a chilly, wet start, per usual. 

Any word on a new football coach?

GOVERNMENT

MEETING: Woodstown Borough Council, April 9, 7 p.m. 

MEETING: Pilesgrove Twp Committee, April 9, 7 p.m. 

Woodstown Borough Council and Pilesgrove Twp Committee meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

WEATHER

FRIDAY: Cloudy. High of 51F. Low of 38F.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. High of 52F. Low of 38F.

SUNDAY: Clouds, sun, and wind. High of 55F. Low of 38F.

FORECAST: Sun and clouds next week. Temperatures hike up to 60s.

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Woodstown Crier: Where we'll be safely watching the sun on Monday. 

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Want to share your Woodstown-Pilesgrove news in the Crier Column? Email Jim Cook at WoodstownCrier@gmail.com