Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect Sunday night

 

Tree down on Marlton Rd. (Photo from Facebook)

Update 7 a.m.: From Mayor Joe Hiles of Woodstown

Sunday night severe winds caused a number of large limbs, trees & wires to fall. Streets such as: Bowan Ave, E. Grant St, Wynnwood St, & Marlton Rd are impassable.  Monday morning will surely shed more light on the situation.

Public Works, Atlantic City Electric Workers & other First Responders are working feverishly to restore power & open roadways.  Stay away from downed wires⚠️ For updates for power restoration,  please contact Atlantic City Electric @ 800-833-7476 or click here.

Please be patient as we clean up, be helpful & kind to your neighbors in need, & be safe. Woodstown is better when we work together.

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A severe thunderstorm watch was issued Sunday evening in the region. Isolated thunderstorms are expected throughout the night and into early Monday.

Wicked storms tore through our region Sunday evening and seem to be continuing through the night.

Trees were reported down on Bowen Ave., the Manor, Marlton Rd., Harrisonville Lake Rd., Church St. and many other yards across town. In one photo shared to Facebook, it appeared tree on or near Borton Ave. landed on a white SUV.

Electricity is out on Marlton (Pilesgrove side) and there are reports of outages on West Grant.

Meteorologist ‘Noreaster’ Nick reported:

63MPH Winds Detected Near Alloway

6.23 9:23PM

A Severe Thunderstorm is producing winds up to 65MPH in Salem County. Right now, strongest of winds are pushing towards Woodstown and Elmer. Glassboro is next if it holds together.

A Code Orange air quality alert is in effect for Salem and Cumberland Counties. Click here for more info.

Apologies for any missing information or typos. I’m without power and updating this from my phone.

Stay tuned for additional reporting.

Crier Column 6/20: Juneteenth at Friends Village; Mosaics in Clay at Squirrel's Nest; Stage Combat at Blue Moon Theatre

 THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024

Black Civil War veterans are buried at Spencer Union American Methodist Episcopal (UAME) Church, Woodstown, NJ, and several other African American cemeteries, including Mt. Pisgah in Elsinboro, also in Salem County

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

Woodstown and Salem County were no strangers to the Civil War. Click here to read about Black Civil War veterans from our community and their contribution to the abolition of slavery and preservation of our Union.

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Every year, I take time to revisit the Ken Burns documentary "The Civil War." It's an incredible series of films that detail the most important and one of the most tragic events in the history of the United States. It preserved the Union, as we know it, and it abolished the torturous slavery of African Americans in the U.S. The series always reminds me of the impact slavery and its abolition had on our nation, and the immense loss of life it took for all Americans to be free.

Slavery did not just end over night or with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, nor did it end on April 9, 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to then-Union General Ulysses S. Grant (who later became the 18th President of the United States). 

However, on June 19, 1865, two months after the Confederate surrender, Union Major General ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. These were the last enslaved people in Confederate states to learn of the Emancipation, which had been issues by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863. Thus came the now-federal holiday, Juneteenth.

Here is a great quote from Mary Elliot, Smithsonian Institute curator of American slavery:

"Juneteenth should really be a rallying call for all of us to think about the meaning of freedom, particularly regarding African Americans, as well as to the nation and the rest of the world."

COMMUNITY

JUNETEENTH: The newest federal holiday will be observed and celebrated at Friends Village in Woodstown this Friday. More information: 

Join us for a time of reflection, fellowship & jubilation as we honor Juneteenth. Our hosts, Friends Village, will provide refreshments. Friday, June 21st @ 5pm at the Friends Village Community Center, 1 Friends Dr. Woodstown, NJ 08098

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STAGE COMBAT: The Center Stage Kids youth theatre company will host a Stage Combat workshop at the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House) on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Certified instructor Terri J. McIntyre will instruct students of all skill levels. The event is open to children ages 8 - 14. Register by emailing centerstagekidsnj@gmail.com

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MOSAICS IN CLAY: The Squirrel's Nest Art Studio is hosting a class teaching "Mini Mosaics in Clay" on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10 a.m. to noon. The class is led by Gretchen Eisenhuth and the cost is $65 per person. Reservations are required. Payment must be made to reserve your spot. You can pay in store or Venmo @Jennifer-Carll-Simon. Payments are not refundable or transferable if the class remains as scheduled.

Information from Squirrel's Nest:

Bring your creativity to this fun class and leave with a one-of-a-kind, stained glass mosaic in a handmade frame! You are only limited by your imagination!

Finished pieces measure approximately 7”x7” and have a sawtooth hanger on the back. A perfect size to fit anywhere you want to hang it!

You will use stained glass, wire and/or pieces of clay tiles to create a design of your choice. The design is transferred to an epoxy clay base where it will dry and harden. The end result is an adorable “mini-mo” that makes a great gift for you or someone else!

Pricing includes all materials needed. No experience required. 

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HAZY DOUBLE: Farmers and Bankers Brewery on Main Street is celebrating its second anniversary since opening in 2022. The party will be Saturday, June 22, 2024 beginning at 11 a.m. More information:

🍻Beer Release: 

2nd Anniversary Hazy Double IPA (8.7%): Celebrate our brewery’s milestone with the Second Anniversary Hazy Double IPA. A luxurious blend of 2 row, oats, and red wheat gives this brew a pillowy mouthfeel, while a generous whirlpool hopping with Citra & Cascade, followed by a dry hopping of Citra, Cascade, and a hint of Mosaic, imparts a complex flavor profile bursting with fruity and tropical notes—think citrus zest, grapefruit, peach, passion fruit, complemented by subtle floral and pine undertones.

🍕Food Trucks:

Fireman Freddie’s BBQ 11 am - 8 p.m./sell-out on Friday

Touch of Basil Pizza and Shugar Shack Soul Food 12 pm - 6 p.m. on Saturday 

💿Entertainment:

DJ OD Vinyl party at 6 p.m. on Friday

SJ Mix Tape at 6 p.m. on Saturday

Door prizes:

Farmers & Bankers Beach Cruiser

2 Sets of (2) Tickets to a Phillies game 

Gift cards & More!

♦ 

NATURE LOVERS: The Squirrel's Next Art Studio is hosting a class for "Printmaking in the Wild" on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Instructor Leann Carlson will teach attendees how to ink and stamp objects to create their own totebag. While all materials are provided for this class, students are welcome and encouraged to bring extra things to print on, such as t-shirts, bandanas, or paper to elevate their experience. Space is limited! Reservations are required. The only way to secure a reservation is to pay for the class. Payments can be made in the store or by Venmo @Jennifer-Carll-Simon.

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DANCING & DRINKS: The new Woodstown Pub Off Main (formerly Theo's Tavern attached to the Woodstown Diner) is hosting Line Dancing every Wednesday at 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Happy Hour is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with drink specials. No cover charge for dancing or happy hour.

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YOGA FOR KIDS: Join Bee Inspired Yoga for a fun summer-themed kids yoga class. Sessions are 45 minutes each with ages 3 - 6 at 9 a.m. and ages 7 - 13 at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per child (cash/venmo). Studio is at 25 N. Main Street. Please bring a mat if possible.

ENTERTAINMENT

HOTEL FRANKENSTEIN: Oakwood Summer Theatre kicks off its 2024 season with "Hotel Frankenstein" at Salem Community College's Davidow Hall. Thursday, June 27, Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29. All performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase from a cast member or at the door. Cash only.

More about "Hotel Frankenstein" ...

"Mystery and mayhem ensue when a famous vampire couple and the tortured grandson of the Wolfman respond to Frankenstein’s ad. As the scheme develops and some of the guests prepare to thwart Dr. Frankenstein’s plan, mix-ups and misunderstandings rule the day. Secret passageways, diabolical plots, and young love all play major roles in this spooky spoof that will have you howling with laughter!"

SPORTS

Another successful athletic academic season is in the books. Congrats to ALL the 2023-2024 athletes and their outstanding achievements for Woodstown. We'll be back to reporting on sports in September 2024.

FALL SPORTS: 2024 Fall Sports Registration is now open. Registration will close on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Please read the directions carefully as the Physical Forms have changed. Click here to sign up for Fall Sports.

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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: Sunny and Thunderstorms in the evening. High of 89F, low of 69F.

SATURDAY: Clouds and sun. High of 93F, low of 70F.

SUNDAY: Clouds. High of 94, low of 72F.

Forecast: Rain 40% chance on Monday with clouds and sun through the week. No rest from the heat. Expect temps to remain in the 90s(F).

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Woodstown Crier: Where its the season of celebrating freedom. Frederick Douglass said it best: "Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitude."

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

Woodstown Superintendent to Class of 2024: "If you can believe it, you can achieve it."

Seniors of the Woodstown High School Class of 2024 march onto the football field for the final ceremony to celebrate their 12 years of hard work and dedication to the Wolverines.

The Class of 2024 graduated at 6 p.m. on June 14, 2024 on the greens of the Woodstown High School football stadium. They are the 106th class of seniors to graduate from historic halls Woodstown High School since its establishment in 1918.

Following the ceremonies, the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Christopher Meyrick shared a kind message and a bit of sage wisdom to the graduating seniors.

___

Superintendent Meyrick

Class of 2024…

    This evening, we gather to celebrate a monumental milestone in your lives. It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you as the Superintendent and witness the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and growth.

    You are at the precipice of a new chapter in your life. Your journey through school has been filled with countless lessons. You have faced challenges and celebrated victories, both big and small. You have shown resilience, determination, and a durable spirit through it all.

    As you move forward, I want to share a message that I believe in and has guided my mindset, “If you can believe it, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT."

    You all have unique talents, dreams, and aspirations. You are all capable of achieving greatness. Set ambitious goals and believe in your ability to achieve them. It means not being afraid to take risks, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. It means understanding that true success is not measured by the absence of failure but by the courage to rise each time you fall with grit and determination.

    As you embark on the next phase of your journey, whether joining a branch of our armed forces, further education, entering the workforce, or exploring new ventures, remember to keep reaching. Aim high and push yourself to achieve the extraordinary. Surround yourself with those who uplift and inspire you, and be that source of inspiration for others.

    You have the power to shape your future and positively impact the world.

    I am proud of everyone and look forward to hearing about all your successes! In closing, please continue to make the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District PROUD!

    At this time, please join me in CONGRATULATING THE CLASS OF 2024! 🌟

Dr. Christopher Meyrick
Superintendent of the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District

#promisingeverywolverineafuture

Crier Column 6/14: Woodstown seniors graduate! Ceremony moved to 6 p.m.; Students honored; Charlotte's Web; Unplugged Lights at Creekside

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024

Woodstown High School seniors are eagerly preparing for Friday night's graduation ceremony on the football field greens. After four years of hard work and many accolades, the seniors bid farewell at 6 p.m. tonight.

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

BREAKING: Woodstown High School Graduation outdoor ceremony will be moved to 6 p.m. Friday night to avoid incoming storms. Gates open at 5:15 p.m.

It's that time of year again where the sun is out, and birds and bugs are buzzing, and our beloved senior class bids farewell to the school where they've spent the past four years studying hard, participating in many activities, and bringing great honor to the Wolverines.

I had the opportunity to get to know and work with some of the WHS seniors this year while assistant directing "Brigadoon" (the spring musical), and if they are a reflection of the future, we're in good hands.

Sam Gunther, Nate Thomas, Demitrois Belitsas, Chris Tighe, Ben Doak, Jessie Bittle, Natalee Basile, Isabella Mealey, Alianna Kellner, Analicia Andujar, and any others I may have missed — happy trails to you and best of luck in your future endeavors. I am in awe of your talents.

Don't forget us in Woodstown! 

COMMUNITY

WHS Sophomores Colleen Bryceland (left) and Sara Lodge (right) will represent Woodstown High School at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference in Florida at this summer.

FUTURE LEADERS: Two sophomore Woodstown High School Future Business Leaders of America chapter members will be competing at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida June 29-July 2. 

• Colleen Bryceland was the winner of the Marketing competitive event at the NJ State Leadership Conference and will now be competing at the National level. 

• Sara Lodge placed in Agribusiness at SLC and will also be competing in that event at Nationals.

Great work, ladies!!

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Chloe Eachus was awarded for outstanding achievement by the NJDOE and took home the CTE Scholar Award.

TECHNICAL CAREER: Woodstown High School's Chloe Eachus is the recipient of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholar Award through the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE).  This award recognizes Chloe for her outstanding accomplishments including success in work-based learning projects, high performance on state and local assessments, and maintaining a high grade point average within Woodstown High School Agricultural CTE Program.

Congrats, Chloe!!

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Colin Schmidt, a junior, brought home Woodstown High School its first Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Award. He was honored for his work in stage management with the Woodstown Drama Club.

PAPERMILL: Colin Schmidt, a junior, brought Woodstown High School its first Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Award — a tremendous achievement!

Schmidt was awarded for his work as the stage manager of this past season's spring musical "Brigadoon." His hard work sure paid off. 

This is the highest honor a high school student in N.J. can receive in the area of theatre arts.

More coverage here.

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Ben Doak, Grace Suwala, and Brigid Daly were honored at WHS Rotarians of the Month!

ROTARY CLUB: A dispatch from Woodstown HS and the Rotary Club:

Three of our WHS Rotarians of the month were recognized & celebrated at today's lovely Rotary Meeting held at Creekside! What an honor it is to learn about these amazing students' involvement in not only our school, but our community! It is truly heart-warming to learn about our wonderful Rotary members' involvement & contributions in our community throughout the years as well.

• April Rotarian, Grace Suwala 

• April Rotarian, Benjamin Doak 

• April Rotarian, Brigid Daly 

ENTERTAINMENT

Hannah Lee DeFrates and Brady Thompson as Charlotte and Templeton, respectively, perform in a scene from "Charlotte's Web" at the Blue Moon Theatre this weekend.

THEATRE: CHARLOTTE'S WEB opens next weekend! Performances are at the Blue Moon Theatre (Opera House) on June 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7 p.m. and June 16 at 2 p.m. Click here for tickets. Great for kids! The show runs approximately 90 minutes with one intermission.

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The WMS Select Choir at the Wilmington Blue Rocks game where they performed the Star Spangled Banner.

PATRIOTIC SINGERS: The Woodstown Middle School Select Choir, under the direction of Ms. Paula Gorman, performed the National Anthem at a recent Wilmington Blue Rocks minor league baseball game.

We love to see (and hear) it!!

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CREEKSIDE INN: Unplugged Lights, the duo of Paul Kranz and Maggie DiPalma, will perform at Creekside Inn on Saturday, June 15 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Get your reservations in advance!

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SPORTS

WHS State Champions in 4x800 Relays

STATE CHAMPS: Woodstown is racking up the state champions! The Girls and Boys 4x800 Relay teams brought in big wins for the Wolverines. Arie Still, Kayla Ayars, Sarah Seiden, and Lilian Norman took third overall at the Group I State Championship; and, Karson Chew, Joshua Crawford Jacob Marino, and Cole Lucas took first at the State Championships. 

Congrats, athletes!

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WHS Lacrosse players Allie Huck and Taylor Sparks represented Woodstown at the Senior All-Start Game in Cherry Hill, N.J.

LACROSSE: A dispatch from WHS Facebook: 

Shout out to Allie Huck and Taylor Sparks who were selected and played in the WLCSJ Senior All-Star Game at Cherry Hill West High School! Way to rep Woodstown, ladies! 

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: Sunny and Thunderstorms in the evening. High of 89F, low of 69F.

SATURDAY: Sunny. High of 82F, low of 64F.

SUNDAY: Clouds. High of 83F, low of 58F.

Forecast: Sunny and HOT next week. Hydrate, stay cool, and don't forget to wear your sunscreen! Temps in the 90s and up to 100F

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Woodstown Crier: Where we bid farewell to our beloved 2024 senior class. They'll always be remembered. Take this with you: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" — Eleanor Roosevelt.

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

Woodstown High School wins first Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Award

Colin Schmidt, a junior at Woodstown High School, won the 2024 Papermill Play House Rising Star Award in Student Achievement for his work as the stage manager of Woodstown's "Brigadoon." This is the first award from Papermill taken by a Woodstown student.

WOODSTOWN — It's a first for the Wolverines!

Colin Schmidt, 17, a junior at Woodstown High School, was honored with the Student Achievement Award from the Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Awards — which honors the best in high school theatre each year.

Schmidt served as the stage manager for this season's spring musical "BRIGADOON."

During the course of the production, Schmidt oversaw multiple processes associated with the musical, including auditions, pre-production, rehearsals, set construction and painting, lighting, and sound design. He also oversaw the technical crew team, made entirely of students, who ran each performance from 'curtain up' to 'curtain call.'

The event was held Tuesday, June 11. Schmidt was one of 10 recipients of the award, of which 20 students from across the Garden State were nominated.

The Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Awards were founded in 1996 "to encourage and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production of New Jersey high school musicals." 

The Rising Star Awards is a New Jersey statewide high school recognition program and has been replicated in several regions nationwide with Paper Mill Playhouse’s assistance.

It is the most prestigious award an N.J. high school student involved in their theatre program can receive.

Woodstown High School's theatre department has been operating non-stop since the late 1800s. The program celebrated the100th anniversary since the first musical performed at WHS, "ALL AT SEA," an operetta produced in 1924. This year, the program also celebrate 40 years of continuous production of musicals on the WHS stage, the first being "BABES IN ARMS" in 1984.

The Woodstown Theatre Department 2024 season featured the fall play "Little Women," and the junior musical "Snow White Musicapalooza" in addition to "Brigadoon."

Schmidt is expected to return to stage manage in the 2024-2025 academic year for next season's spring musical which has not yet been announced.

Congrats Colin!!

Charlotte's Web premiers at Blue Moon Theatre this weekend!

Sam Williams (Wilbur), Alair Diremigio (E.B. White) and Hannah Lee DeFrates in a scene from "Charlotte's Web" at the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House) this weekend and next, 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 16. Tickets are $20.

WOODSTOWN — "Charlotte's Web" is coming to the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House) this weekend and next at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 16. Click here for tickets. 

Since it was published in 1952 "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White has been enjoyed by readers of all ages. It has cemented itself as a classic of children's literature and is credited as the best selling children's paperback of all time. The Blue Moon Theatre will bring this story to life on stage in an adaption written by Joseph Robinette.

The play tells the familiar story of Wilbur, a runt pig rescued by a little girl named Fern and adopted by Fern's aunt and uncle, the Zuckermans, who raise him on their farm. While living on the farm Wilbur meets several barnyard friends including geese, sheep, a cynical rat named Templeton, and a motherly spider named Charlotte. In an effort to save Wilbur from being slaughtered Charlotte begins spinning words praising Wilbur into her webs which causes him to be labeled a miracle. This fame brings Wilbur all the way to the county fair but will Wilbur be able to stand on his own without help from Charlotte?

Jim Cook Jr. directs the production and reimagines the story in a completely original way. Rather than just telling the classic story of Wilbur, Fern, and Charlotte as written by E.B. White and adapted by Joseph Robinette, Cook combines this tale with the story of White's life. 

White becomes his own character writing his novel and narrating the play as it occurs before the audience's eyes. On the topic of this story and his vision Cook says "This production may look a little different than the other productions of Charlotte's Web. To read and experience Charlotte's Web as an adult is to experience it as a child times 1,000. Children are undoubtedly precocious more times than not and can understand the cathartic moments of the book. But, as an adult, having lived those moments the hope for survival, even if just for a day, between the aging Charlotte and the young Wilbur, is all the more amplified and emotionally meaningful. More than that, however, we wanted to explore the author as told through the eyes of our narrator: E. B. White. He lived two different lives: a simple one at his farm in Brooklyn, Maine, and a sophisticated one as a writer for the literary magazine The New Yorker. Audiences will see White's Maine life with hints to The New Yorker peppered through this production. This production, like the book, is not only for children - it's for everyone. We hope to convey a bit of that."

In addition to direction, Jim Cook Jr., along with Maria Cook, are responsible for prop and scenic design. Maria Cook is also the stage manager for the production. Costume design is by Masquerade Ball, lighting design is by Jolee Farah, and sound design is by Mike Russell. The production stars Alair Diremigio (E.B. White/Lurvy), Sam Williams (Wilbur), Hannah Lee DeFrates (Charlotte), Cadence 'Cadey' Laning (Fern Arable), Ariel Johnson (Martha Arable), Joseph DiBella (Avery Arable), Jon Laning (Homer Zuckerman), Lori Thompson (Edith Zuckerman), Jim Cook Jr. (John Arable), Brady Thompson (Templeton), Donna Laning (Goose), Charlie Lai (Gander), Crit Olmos (Sheep), Sophia Shipman (Lamb), and Gabriel Vereen (Announcer, Uncle, Reporter).

The show is being produced at The Blue Moon Theatre with a special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. Charlotte's Web opens June 7, 2024 and runs two weekends with evening performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00pm and a special matinee performance at 2:00pm on June 16, 2024 for the final performance.