Crier Column 2/24: FOOTLOOSE this weekend at WHS; Coach Hyland celebrates 300; WHS Track celebrates big wins; Music at Friends; Beer-tender needed at brewery

    MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Colleen Bryceland, performing as Ariel Moore singing the hit rock song "Holding Out for a Hero" during a scene from Woodstown High School's "FOOTLOOSE," performing this weekend only on Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. 

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

ALMOST SPRING: Is it too early to say it's almost spring? Our clocks eagerly jump forward on Sunday, March 9, 2025 setting our sun around 7 p.m., meanwhile the Phillies are in spring training, and our Woodstown Woodies will be reporting to practice in the coming month. We'll be slurping drippy ice cream at Cream Valley while white blossoms blanket our sunny Main Street in just a few weeks. We'll be swerving around cars parked for yard sales (be safe!); and, the temperatures will be up in the mid-50s all week, and in the 40s the first week of March. In fact, "meteorological spring" begins Saturday, March 1 — measuring the three-month season where temperatures go from cold to warm. It can't come soon enough.

The first sign of spring, however, in this town for more than a century is undoubtedly the premier of the annual Woodstown High School musical, this year being "FOOTLOOSE," based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon. Our students are doing such a phenomenal job, pouring their hearts and souls into this electric rock music. They're having a blast at every rehearsal (as so are the adults!). 

"FOOTLOOSE" will be performed this weekend only on Thursday, Feb. 27; Friday, Feb. 28; and, March 1 at 7 p.m. There will be a matinee on Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or online by clicking here.

ORGAN WORSHIP: I'll be kicking off the first day of meteorological spring at First Baptist Church on the organ, Sunday, March 2 at 9:30 a.m. It's communion Sunday so come ready to sing!

COMMUNITY

DOG DAYS: The Salem County Human Society is hosting a fundraiser for "St. Paw-trick's Day" on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Farmers and Bankers Brewery on Main Street. No ticket necessary. Free entry. Donations accepted for animals. Leashed dogs are welcome. There will be a 50/50 raffle, a photo booth, and the B&B concessions food truck. 

YARD SALE: Salem County's Largest Yard Sale returns on Saturday, April 19, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Salem County Fairgrounds in Pilesgrove on Rt. 45. Last year brought more than 100 sellers and vendors, and this year is expected to exceed expectations! Contact Andy Ware to sign up for a vendor spot at wareandy13@gmail.com

BEERTENDER NEEDED: Farmers and Bankers Brewery in Woodstown is seeking a "Beer-tender" to join the brewery family. Position availability for weekdays, daytime and evening hours. Send resume and contact information to info@farmersandbankersbrewing.com

ADVERTISING: Need to advertise? Check out the new Woodstown-Pilesgrove Advertisements group over on Facebook. Click here!

ENTERTAINMENT

BACK TO THE 80s!: Woodstown High School Drama presents "FOOTLOOSE" on Feb. 27, 28, March 1 (7 p.m.) and March 2 at (2 p.m.). Based on the 1980s hit film, see our outstanding students relive that era of big hair, poofy sleeves, and fabulous dancing! Tickets here.

I am assistant directing this production and having a wild time. Our students are insanely talented and love this show. You won't be disappointed!

MUSIC AT FRIENDS: The Music at Friends free concert series at Friends Meeting House on North Main Street welcomes Jay Daniels, performing the timeless works of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein III, songs from "Oklahoma!," "South Pacific," The King and I" and many more. The event is open to the public at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 2. Click here for more info.

SPORTS

TRACK: The Woodstown High School Winter Track is nearing the end of its successful 2024-2025 season. Check out their recent achievements in the WHS Athletics department dispatch:

Girls

Jaime Deal

400m: 2nd place – 1:00.61 (New Indoor School Record!)

55m: 6th place – 7.69

Sammie Sterner

1600m: 4th place – 5:42

Abby Marino

1600m: 5th place – 5:46

3200m: 3rd place – 12:41

Anabel Schaal

3200m: 4th place – 12:41

Sarah Seiden

800m: 5th place – 2:30

4×400 Relay Team – 6th place 4:28

Sarah Seiden

Kayla Ayers

Jaime Deal

Lia Covely

Kami Casino

High Jump: 2nd place – 5’0”

Boys

Josh Crawford

400m: 1st place – 51.03 (Ranked #1 in NJ Group 1)

800m: 1st place – 2:01.51

Jacob Marino

1600m: 6th place – 4:42

3200m: 5th place – 10:18

Cole Lucas

800m: 2nd place – 2:01.72

Karson Chew

800m: 6th place – 2:06.26

4×400 Relay Team – 2nd place 3:32.34 (Just .2 seconds behind Woodbury)

Karson Chew

Anthony Costello

Cole Lucas

Josh Crawford 

Highlights & Congratulations!

• Jaime Deal broke her own Indoor School Record in the 400m and also qualified in the 55m dash!
• Josh Crawford is the Sectional Champion in both the 400m and 800m!
• The boys’ team finished as 1st Runner-Up for Sectionals!
• Congrats to all athletes who qualified for Group Finals!

WINNING: Adam Hyland, Woodstown High School men's wrestling coach since 2004-2005 academic year, celebrated his 300th win this season. Here is the celebratory dispatch from the proud WHS Athletics department:

Congratulations to Coach Adam Hyland on earning his 300th win as Woodstown High School’s Varsity Wrestling Coach! Since taking over the program in the 2004-2005 season, Coach Hyland has been a dedicated leader, guiding countless athletes to success on and off the mat. His commitment to excellence has helped produce state tournament placers, region champions, and collegiate wrestlers at all levels of the NCAA. This milestone is a testament to his hard work, passion, and impact on Woodstown Wrestling. Congratulations, Coach Hyland, on this incredible achievement!

The Woodstown Athletic Department website, a hub for all things Woodstown High School sports, 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.

WEEKEND WEATHER

FRIDAY: Sunny and windy. High of 46F. Low of 33F.

SATURDAY: Cloudy. High of 57F. Low of 37F.

SUNDAY: Sun, scattered clouds, wind. High of 42F. Low of 23F.

FORECAST: Are we out of the woods on this super cold winter?! I sure hope so. Mid-50s this week. Rain and 60F on Thursday. C'mon spring!

♦

Woodstown Crier: Where we'll be cutting loose this weekend at FOOTLOOSE!!!

_______________

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

Crier Column 2/10: GO BIRDS! Wheel Chair Ramp Fundraiser; Humane Society Brews; Basketball Youth Night; Footloose at WHS

   MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025

The Woodstown High School choirs hosted the annual Pitch Perfect Pasta Night fundraiser and sang some great tunes last Saturday!

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

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!

EAGLES: How about that big Super Bowl win Sunday night? We were all due for a bit of good news this year. Mayor Joe Hiles even renamed Woodstown as "BIRDTOWN" for the day!

As the Town Crier of Birdtown, it was a truly great evening nervously snacking during the first half of the game, trying to make sense of the halftime show, and cautiously celebrating until the last few minutes of the fourth quarter when it became evident Philadelphia would take home that silver trophy.

—

ANNIVERSARY: Thank you, all, for reading the Woodstown Crier. On Feb. 9, I celebrated the one year anniversary of this news website. We've lost our newspapers in this region but still have a great need for news reporting. It is my sincere hope to keep this going as long as I can. 

The first article I wrote on the Woodstown Crier was a tribute to the Salem County Town Crier Emeritus Ron LeHew, a local artist, storyteller, and larger-than-life legend.

COMMUNITY

WHEEL CHAIR RAMP: Ravenswood Farms is hosting a fundraiser for wheel chair ramps at Pilesgrove Tractor Supply on Feb. 15, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here is their dispatch:

"In major need of bakers and some helpers during the day! All $100 donors will get their name listed on a brass plate, and larger or company donors will have they’re own bronze plate. We are so excited to be becoming a Path certified facility with a Path certified instructors.  Any donation is greatly appreciated the over head for this program needs the community support.  Reach out to be added to our side walkers email / volunteer list and get hands on involved at the farm with the horses and therapy kids.  Our instructor Kaitlyn Owen Palermo can count volunteer hours towards someone’s future path certification hour requirements too!" 

DOG DAYS: The Salem County Human Society is hosting a fundraiser for "St. Paw-trick's Day" on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Farmers and Bankers Brewery on Main Street. No ticket necessary. Free entry. Donations accepted for animals. Leashed dogs are welcome. There will be a 50/50 raffle, a photo booth, and the B&B concessions food truck. 

Woodstown Middle School's very own published writers!

PUBLISHED: We've got many young published writers in our great Woodstown Middles School! Read the district's dispatch:

Congratulations to several WMS 7th and 8th graders who are now published authors! Their mini sagas have been selected by Young Writers USA to be featured in publication for a Young Writers Anthology which is scheduled for publication in April.  Middle School Proud!

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Go work at the best school in America! Dispatch below:

Posting #24-84 Lunchroom/Playground Aide 2024-2025 SY AA/EOE

Position: Lunchroom/Playground Aide 🍎

Location: Mary Shoemaker School (K-5)

Date Posted  February 7, 2025

Posting Closing Date:  February 16, 2025

Date Available:  February 15, 2025

REQUIRED:

• Must pass NJ criminal history review 

• High School Diploma

• Part-time Lunchroom/Playground Aide   

• 10-month position, 2 ½ -hours per day

REPORTS TO:  Principal or Designated Administrator

SUPERVISES:  Students

JOB GOAL:  To assist in the maintenance of an orderly, safe, and pleasant atmosphere in the cafeteria and playground by helping and supervising students at mealtime and at recess.

Please e-mail the following information to applications@woodstown.org 

• Letter of Interest

• Resume

• Transcripts

• Certification(s)

• Letter(s) of recommendation

ENTERTAINMENT

BACK TO THE 80s!: Woodstown High School Drama presents "FOOTLOOSE" on Feb. 27, 28, March 1 (7 p.m.) and March 2 at (2 p.m.). Based on the 1980s hit film, see our outstanding students relive that era of big hair, poofy sleeves, and fabulous dancing! Tickets here.

I am assistant directing this production and having a wild time. Our students are insanely talented and love this show. You won't be disappointed!

THEATRE: The Blue Moon Theatre produced "RUMORS" by Neil Simon last weekend, directed by my friend Domini Spadaccini. It was an absolute riot! Sadly, their last performance was cancelled due to inclement weather. Stay tuned for a reschedule of their final performance (I hope they can!). It's definitely worth seeing. Congrats to all involved!

COMEDY: Open Mic Comedy Night at the Blue Moon Theatre on Feb. 15 and March 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5. 

SPORTS

YOUTH NIGHT: The Woodstown High School Boys Basketball team is hosting a Youth Night at their Thursday, Feb. 13 game at 5:30 p.m. in the WHS Gym. Wear a Youth Basketball Jersey and entry is free. Any questions, email Coach Roots at roots.r@woodstown.org.

The Woodstown Athletic Department website, a hub for all things Woodstown High School sports, 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.

WEEKEND WEATHER

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. High of 37F. Low of 25F.

SATURDAY: Clouds and PM rain. High of 43F. Low of 21F.

SUNDAY: Rain. High of 50F. Low of 21F.

FORECAST: Snow expected Tuesday and Wednesday with temperatures warming up this weekend. Can we expect a Valentine's Day Eagles Victory Parade? It's the only sunny day this week, so, I hope so! Will the Town Crier be there? Stay tuned!

♦

Woodstown Crier: Where we'll weather the cold temps and snow under the wings of our EAGLES!

_______________

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