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.

♦

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

♦ 

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

♦

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. 

♦

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.

♦

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.

♦

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.

♦

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).

♦

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

_______________

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