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 

Woodstown schools, borough office closed due to snow; NJ State of Emergency

Woodstown schools are closed Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, due to the expected snowfall and state of emergency in N.J.

WOODSTOWN — Snow day!

The Woodstown Pilesgrove Regional School District will be closed on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 due to the snow storm expected to slam the Garden State over night, the district announced Sunday evening.

Gov. Phil Murphy issued a state of emergency to go in effect at 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Here is the dispatch from the governor:

I’ve declared a State of Emergency beginning at 10 p.m. tonight for the following counties in South Jersey:

- Atlantic

- Burlington

- Camden

- Cape May

- Cumberland

- Gloucester

- Salem

We are anticipating moderate to heavy snowfall. Please be cautious of hazardous road conditions.

Current predictions as of 8 p.m. Sunday expect Salem County to receive three to six inches of snow, according to 6ABC Philadelphia.

Woodstown Mayor Joseph Hiles announced on Facebook that Borough government offices will be closed Monday due to the snow.

“Please be safe & pray for our emergency services & public works teams that will be working during the storm,” the mayor wrote. “If you must travel, please drive carefully. Please refrain from parking vehicles in the roadways to allow crews to safely & efficiently plow.”

In the meantime, take plenty of photos!

Crier Column 12/13: Happy Holidays and see you next year! Christmas Fair at Fairgrounds; Clothing Drive at WHS; Blue Moon concert Saturday; Breakfast with Santa next weekend

  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024

One of the many stunning historic homes on the Woodstown by Candlelight tour, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. Visitors from around the region and beyond descended on Woodstown for a night that looked like a Hallmark movie and a Rockwell painting all wrapped into one.

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

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and anything else I missed!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR: This will be my last column for the remainder of 2024. What a special year it has been as your Town Crier: last weekend's Candlelight tour, the Fall Festival, hosting tours at the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society Museum, welcoming audiences to Woodstown High School for our production of "Brigadoon," reviving The Curtain Call Club of Woodstown, and accompanying many joyful voices on many lively Sundays as the organist for First Baptist Church of Woodstown on Main Street — it's been a phenomenal year.

I'll be at the organ at First Baptist Church on Christmas Eve for the 6:30 p.m. service. At the 11 p.m. service (or as I love to call it, "Midnight Mass") I'll be not only at the organ, but I may be singing a special Christmas Carol. Don't miss it!

Do take some time to relax this holiday season — we all need that. We don't know what those drones are above us. We don't know what's coming in 2025. We don't care to follow the mainstream news much anymore for the sake of our mental health. So, between the hustle and bustle, the shopping, the gift wrapping, the cooking, the hosting, the parties, the shows ... we all deserve a break. Right? Let's all agree to do nothing in January. We deserve it!

—

FOOTLOOSE: The Woodstown High School Drama Club hosted its first rehearsal for our spring musical "Footloose," based on the 1980s movie starring Kevin Bacon. I had a chance to sit in on their read-through of the script and the score. The teens this year are tremendous. They love the show, they love their drama club, they love each other. It's going to be an extraordinary production that will have audiences on their feet dancing in the aisles! 

COMMUNITY

CHRISTMAS FAIR: The Salem County Christmas Fair will be held at the Salem County Fairgrounds on Rt. 40 in Pilesgrove Twp. Cost is $10/car per day. Events begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 and include vendors, food trucks, kid's activities, Christmas movies, fire pits, pony rides, face painting, live nativity, ugly sweater contest, pictures with Santa Claus and much more. The event will be hosted from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For more information, visit the Salem County Fair Association on Facebook.

CLOTHING DRIVE: The Woodstown Pilesgrove School District Odyssey of the Mind teams will be hosting a clothing drive on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to1:30 p.m. in the Woodstown High School horseshoe. Clean out your closets while helping the kids! From their dispatch:

What we accept: Adult & Children Clothing, Shoes, Handbags, Sandals, Sneakers, Boots, Jackets, Coats, Rain Gear, Leathers, Belts, Ties, Pants, Shirts, Sweaters, Vests, Blouses, Dresses, Skirts, Robes, Undergarments, Sheets, Towels, Linens, Tablecloths, Hats, Scarfs, Gloves, Purses, Wallets, Jewelry, Watches, Uniforms, Jerseys, Backpacks and New Diapers and NOW ACCEPTING Household Items, Utensils, Hard & Soft Toys, Electronics, Bicycles, Handicap Equipment & Small Bric-A-Brac Items.

What We Don’t Accept: Thrift Store Goods, Flea Market Goods, Furniture, Books, Yard Sales or Sorted merchandise that has been picked through or separated which the better goods have been taken out as well as pillows & curtains. Any merchandise that has holes, rips, stains, mold or has an odor.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The Salem Tech FFA is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Elmer Grange Hall by Pole Tavern. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. There will be a home-cooked, Jersey Fresh breakfast, and a chance to meet and get photos with Santa Claus! 

ENTERTAINMENT

The Woodstown Middle School Choir performing at Woodstown by Candlelight, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

CONCERT: The Blue Moon Theatre is hosting a fundraiser to purchase the entirety of the Woodstown Opera House. Their goal is to restore the upstairs (original theater) to a performance space. We're excited about that! This Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., they'll host a fundraiser cabaret where a small group of Blue Moon performers will sing Broadways showtunes and Christmas music. Tickets are $10. I'll be performing!

SPORTS

PARKING: A dispatch from the Athletics Department: 

Spectators are reminded to park legally and be considerate of residents in the area. Illegally parked vehicles on streets surrounding the school may be ticketed and towed. Please avoid blocking driveways or creating unsafe conditions for others. This serves as a formal warning that enforcement action will be taken for parking violations. All spectators must follow the Tri-County Conference Code of Conduct, which emphasizes sportsmanship, respect, and appropriate behavior. Violations of this code may result in removal from the event and additional penalties. 

Prohibited: Items such as footballs, tennis balls, and similar objects are strictly prohibited and will not be allowed in the gym. Spectators are not permitted to enter the court at any time. Any individual who enters the court will be immediately ejected. Let’s come together to support our Wolverines this winter season! We look forward to an exciting and memorable season filled with sportsmanship, teamwork, and community pride. GO WOLVERINES!

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: Clouds and sun. High of 3F. Low of 24F.

SATURDAY: Sunny. High of 37F. Low of 21F.

SUNDAY: Cloudy. High of 41F. Low of 24F.

FORECAST: Rain all of next week except for Wednesday. Temperatures are warmer, in the high 40s and 50s. Up to 61F on Tuesday. Clouds next weekend.

♦

Woodstown Crier: Where your Town Crier expresses his deepest gratitude for your reading this column over the past year and for keeping Pilesgrove and Woodstown the best two towns in America to live. We'll see you in 2025!

_______________

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

Crier Column 12/4: Woodstown By Candlelight this Friday; Donate gifts to Fire Co; Along the Road at Blue Moon Theatre Saturday

 WEDNESDA, DECEMBER 04, 2024

Woodstown by Candlelight will be held Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. Tickets are $35 for Pilesgrove & Woodstown, and $25 for only Woodstown. The event supports local businesses and the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society.

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

Happy belated Thanksgiving! Please accept my apologies for being noticeably absent from The Crier these past few weeks. I was busy performing "White Christmas" with many dear friends down in Millville at the Levoy Theatre. I’ve also been hard at work rehearsing/playing organ at the First Baptist Church in Woodstown (stop by First Baptist on Main Street this Christmas Eve at 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. for good music!). 

Woodstown’s tree lighting ceremony will be held during the Candlelight tour at 7 p.m. at the Woodstown White House (next to First Baptist Church on Main Street). The Woodstown High School Chamber Choir will be performing!

In the meantime, Woodstown and Pilesgrove are looking phenomenal (but don't we always?) as the holidays approach. The lights on the trees, the Santa mailboxes, and the towering candles on the Snelbaker green. We are ready for Christmas!

COMMUNITY

CANDLELIGHT: The Woodstown by Candlelight Tour will be held Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. in both Woodstown AND Pilesgrove! Tickets for Pilesgrove & Woodstown tours are $35. Tickets for only the Woodstown tour are $25. Click here to purchase tickets!

PARADE: The Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit is hosting Christmas Trees on Parade, Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be decorated trees, holiday music, food, treasure shop and Santa! Tickets are $5 ($3 for Candlelight Tour ticket holders). Visit the Catholic Parish on Broad & Elm Streets for the event.

GIFT DONATION: The Reliance Fire Company will collect new, unwrapped toys during Woodstown By Candlelight, Friday, Dec. 6 beginning at 6:45 p.m. at the tree lighting location (Woodstown White House next to First Baptist Church). Donations will be accepted through Dec. 21 at Reliance Fire Station.

INTERGENERATIONAL: Woodstown Friends Meeting will host Intergenerational Family activities throughout the fall. See the list below:

• December 8, 2024 – 9:15 AM to 10:30 AM—We will celebrate the holidays with holiday-themed story and craft time. You won’t walk away empty-handed

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: The Salem Tech FFA is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Elmer Grange Hall by Pole Tavern. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. There will be a home-cooked, Jersey Fresh breakfast, and a chance to meet and get photos with Santa Claus!

ENTERTAINMENT

Endless gratitude to Mayor Joe and First Lady Julie Hiles for representing the great support of our hometown, Woodstown, at “White Christmas” in Millville last month. It was so nice to see them and feel so supported, and it was a tremendous honor to perform for them and all the audiences who saw our show. Woodstown always shows up — no wonder, they must have felt like home because we have the same school colors: Orange and Blue!!

CONCERT: Along the Road, featuring Woodstown’s Paul Kranz, will perform this Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at the Blue Moon Theatre from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Click here for tickets!

SPORTS

COMMITTED: Congratulations to Megan Donaldson for signing to Millersville University and Talia Battavio for signing to Goldey-Beacom College, both to further their outstanding record as basketball superstars! Congrats, ladies, and don’t forget about us when you’re away … remember, there’s no place like home. Now, go show them that Wolverine Spirit!!

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: Sun. High of 37F. Low of 26F.

SATURDAY: Sunny. High of 39F. Low of 24F.

SUNDAY: Clouds of sun. High of 51F. Low of 28F.

FORECAST: Woodstown by Candlelight will be cold but clear! We all remember last year’s rain showers, so we’re elated to see much nicer weather Friday night. Bundle up! Warmer and wetter next week with temps reaching the low 60Fs. Back into the 40s by the end of the week and next weekend.

♦

Woodstown Crier: Where we had no shortage of gratitude this Thanksgiving. We pray for our hometown heroes overseas and away from their families this holiday season — I’ve been there, and it’s tough. Luckily, when they’ve returned home safe and sound, they’ll be welcomed back to the greatest hometown in America — a home decked with Christmas lights, hot cocoa brewing, church congregations caroling, bells ringing, cookies in the oven, Santa on his way. For those of other spiritualities, the first candle of Hanukkah is lit on Dec. 25 this year, so, no matter how you were raised, we know you’ll find your way home.

_______________

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

Crier Column 11/11: Happy Veteran's Day! WHS Band Alumni needed for Friday playoffs; Oz at WHS; Menagerie at Blue Moon; Ruby Bridges Walk; Bike stolen on South Main

 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Cameron Tatam (left) and Hamilton Master (right) recreate the "Wicked" poster in celebration opening "THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ" at Woodstown High School this weekend! Performances run Wednesday through Saturday. Get your tickets by clicking here and read more in the Entertainment section of the Woodstown Crier.

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

It's 11/11, make a wish!

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY to my fellow vets out there. I proudly spent five years in the United States Army and miss it every day. 

Earlier this month, I volunteered at the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society. While there, I found a device called a "Pana Vue 2", which is basically a handheld viewer for Kodak Ektachrome slides. It was such a cool device! There were many rolls of slides from 1970s and 80s Woodstown. 

Click here for a TikTok of the Pana Vue 2 experience! 

CRIME LOG

A Mafia Bomma 29'' was stolen out of a home garage on South Main Street earlier this week. The bike is believed to have been brought to Bailey's Corner.

STOLEN BIKE: A dispatch from the Woodstown Pilesgrove Needs Facebook Group:

Hi everyone! My son’s bike was stolen right out of our garage on S Main St here in Woodstown. If anyone sees it, please contact me. We aren’t looking to get anyone in any trouble, we just want his bike back. It’s very expensive and was his birthday gift. This is what it looks like. Thank you! - Karin Lin

*UPDATE:  It’s a Mafia Bomma 29” Slate Grey. It is believed the stolen bicycle was brought to Bailey's Corner. 

COMMUNITY

Ruby Bridges was the first African-American child to attend a formerly whites-only school in Louisiana, on Nov. 14, 1960. A walk commemorating desegregation of schools will be held this Thursday in Woodstown.

WALK: The W-P Regional School District and Woodstown Borough will host the Ruby Bridges Walk to School event at 7 a.m. (morning) on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The parade will assemble at the Snelbaker house at 50 South Main St, walk down Dickinson Street, right onto W. Wilson Ave., and a left onto Macaltioner Ave, then proceed to the Woodstown High School gymnasium and Middle School entrance. The event will feature members of the WHS Drum Line, uniformed sports teams, local Scout troops, and members of extracurricular groups. The walk commemorates Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to desegregate an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960.

WHS Marching Band needs all the alumni it can get! The Friday playoff game falls on a performance of the WHS Drama's "Wizard of Oz" — so they'll be out many musicians. See below for more details!

WHS BAND: Calling all WHS Band Alumni! See the dispatch:

It happened again, Alumni and Band Community! Our Football Wolverines are unstoppable and our next play off game falls on the same night as our fall play. We have A LOT of kids who can't be in the stands with us on Friday. We will need a band army to fill in the gaps. Can you sit in and play with us?

If you can join the band in the stands on 11/15 please email sheridan.s@woodstown.org and let us know. We will get you music as soon as possible and I promise you'll have fun! (Halloween pic for proof of fun.)

Woodstown by Candlelight, an annual historic home tour, will be held Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 from 2-9 p.m. and, this year, will feature homes in both Woodstown AND Pilesgrove!

CANDLELIGHT: The Woodstown by Candlelight Tour will be held Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. in both Woodstown AND Pilesgrove! Tickets for Pilesgrove & Woodstown tours are $30 (before Dec. 1, then $35 after). Tickets for only the Woodstown tour are $20 (before Dec. 1, then $25 after). Click here to purchase tickets!

PARADE: The Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit is hosting Christmas Trees on Parade, Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be decorated trees, holiday music, food, treasure shop and Santa! Tickets are $5 ($3 for Candlelight Tour ticket holders). Visit the Catholic Parish on Broad & Elm Streets for the event.

INTERGENERATIONAL: Woodstown Friends Meeting will host Intergenerational Family activities throughout the fall. See the list below:

• December 8, 2024 – 9:15 AM to 10:30 AM—We will celebrate the holidays with holiday-themed story and craft time. You won’t walk away empty-handed

FLU CLINIC: The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services will host the following Flu Clinics for residents ages 3 and older. No appointment necessary.

• Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Carney's Point Municipal Building, 303 Harding Hwy, Carneys Point. Walk-in.

PLANTS: Jodi Lipari is giving away free plants on Main Street. Click here for info from Facebook.

ENTERTAINMENT

THEATRE: The Woodstown High School Drama Club presents "THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ" on Thursday, Nov. 13 (3:30 p.m., 55+ free admission), Thursday, Nov. 14 (7 p.m.); Friday, Nov. 15 (7 p.m.); Saturday, Nov. 16 (2 p.m.). Tickets are $13 for adults, $8 for students and seniors (60+). Click here to purchase tickets! Tickets are also available at the door. 

The cast of "The Glass Menagerie" in rehearsal at the Blue Moon Theatre (Woodstown Opera House). The play opens this Friday. Information for tickets below.

THEATRE: The Blue Moon Theatre presents "THE GLASS MENAGERIE" at the Woodstown Opera House, Friday, Nov. 15 (8 p.m.); Saturday, Nov. 16 (8 p.m.); Friday, Nov. 22 (8 p.m.), Saturday, Nov. 23 (8 p.m), and Sunday, Nov. 24 (2 p.m.). Click here to purchase tickets!

WOODSTOWN ABROAD: If you want to get into the holiday spirit, don't miss some great Woodstown talent (including your Town Crier!) in "WHITE CHRISTMAS" at the Levoy Theatre (Millville, N.J.) this weekend and next weekend. Click here for tickets!

SPORTS

ATHLETICS: A dispatch from the Wolverine Athletics Department:

The Woodstown High School girls cross country team finished their season strong, as they placed 9th overall in the NJSIAA group 1 state championships on Saturday in Holmdel. Lilian Norman and Abigail Marino finished the race side by side in 23rd and 24th place and with the help of Anabel Schaal, Samantha Sterner and Arianna Mott, the team outscored all of the other group 1 south teams in attendance! Congrats on an amazing season, ladies! 

Jacob Marino finished 8th in the Group I State Championship Meet at Holmdel this weekend. Jacob has qualified to run in The Meet Of Champions next weekend. Congratulations Jake!

The Varsity Boys Soccer Team defeated Wildwood 3-0, securing their 16th win of the season. Grant Prater opened the scoring in the first period, followed by Adrian Ibarra to give Woodstown a 2-0 lead at halftime. In the second period, Dante Holmes extended the lead to 3-0, assisted by Ibarra. Woodstown dominated offensively, with nine shots on goal compared to Wildwood’s five. Both goalkeepers made seven saves, with Woodstown’s Ben Stengel preserving the shutout.

The Varsity Girls Soccer Team finished the season 13-4-2 after falling to Palmyra in penalty kicks in the South Jersey Group I Quarterfinal game Thursday. Goalkeeper Ellie Wygand made an amazing save on a penalty kick at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime. Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Soccer Team on a phenomenal season.

The Varsity Football Team overcame an early deficit to defeat Pennsville 21-6, earning them a chance to play for the NJSIAA Group I Central Sectional Championship. Pennsville struck first with a 53-yard touchdown pass, but Woodstown responded quickly as Alex Torres scored on a 2-yard run to take a 7-6 lead. Torres added another 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, extending Woodstown’s lead to 14-6 by halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Torres capped off the game with his third touchdown, a 2-yard run, in the fourth quarter. Woodstown’s ground game dominated with Torres rushing for 111 yards and three touchdowns, while Garrett Leyman added 100 rushing yards.

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: Clouds and sun. High of 55F. Low of 40F

SATURDAY: Sunny. High of 60F. Low of 41F.

SUNDAY: Clouds of sun. High of 61F. Low of 42F.

FORECAST: Woodstown and the surrounding region received a much-needed respite from the drought Sunday night with a few showers. No rain in the near forecast. It wasn't enough to end the wildfires in Glassboro and Vorhees. We can expect slightly cooler temperatures in the 50s and 60s throughout the week. And sun. 

♦

Woodstown Crier: Where we thank our many Veterans for their service! Let's celebrate their legacy by enjoying the beauty of our community and nation.

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

Woodstown Pilesgrove Election 2024: one Council seat too close to call; GOP wins two; Eachus uncontested as Pilesgrove mayor; GOP wins County seats

 2024 ELECTION RESULTS

This image was AI-generated with DALL-E.

*Name - denotes the unofficial winner as of 06 Nov 2025 (2 p.m.) and does not account for uncounted provisional ballots which in some of the razor-thin margins, could change who wins the seat officially.

SALEM COUNTY SHERIFF

*Chuck Miller (R) - 16,518

Leroy Pierce (D) - 11,876 

SALEM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (Formerly "Freeholder")

*Ben H. Laury (R) - 17,380

*Gordon (Mickey) Ostrum (R) - 16,285

Nelson Carney Jr. (D) - 11,264

Germer Y. Ledford (D) - 9,522

SALEM COUNTY CLERK

*Dale Cross (R) - 19,295

Charlyn Martin (D) - 10,456

PILESGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE 

*Kevin Eachus (R) - 1,937

PILESGROVE SCHOOL BOARD (on Woodstown Pilesgrove Regional School District BOE)

Alice Wofsy - 556

*Kristina Johnston - 970

*Erin Hitchner - 1,310

Carey Italiano - 781

WOODSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL (3-year term)

Due to the razor-thin margin, the outcome will likely be determined with provisional ballots, and the result remains too close to call.

*Glenn Merkle (R) - 1,024

Trudy Spence-Parker (R) - 820 

Tara Mazer (D) - 890

Jesse Stemberger (D) - 892 

WOODSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL (1-year term)

*Noah Tighe (R) - 951

Stacy Shorter-Carney (D) - 935

WOODSTOWN SCHOOL BOARD 

*Maricia E. Chiarelli - 1,005

Colleen Prater - 732

♦

Woodstown Crier: Where we congratulate our new leaders and trust them to keep Woodstown and Pilesgrove the best two towns in the America. No matter the results, I'm still your Town Crier and there's no where else I'd rather live than right here.

Crier Column 10/29: Happy Halloween! No fires! Coach Huck celebrates 300; Leave the Leaves; Bullhide Brewery construction; Cantare at NJ School Board; Ruby Bridges walk

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2024

I had the great honor of reading the Mayor's proclamation at the grand re-opening of Bee Inspired Yoga on Main Street in Woodstown, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. Rebekah Zoe Mulford runs a fantastic business, inspiring members of our community to 'bee' their best! Make sure you 'buzz' over to her shop and get in a strong yoga session!

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

It'll be a busy week for your Town Crier!

HALLOWEEN: First, I'll be roaming around town on Thursday, HALLOWEEN, and spending a good deal of time camped out at the Woodstown White House — aka. the historic home next to the First Baptist Church, where Lance Bird and Kate Dilks host a fabulous Halloween stop in town.

HISTORY: Then, visit the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, as I man the museum. Stop in for a tour!

MUSIC: On Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, I'll be at the piano and organ at the First Baptist Church of Woodstown on Main Street. Hymns this week are "Gentle Shepherd," "Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and "Hallelujah, What a Savior." We'll close with the refrain from "Because He Lives," in place of the alternating "Doxology" - "Blessed Be the Ties" during post-communion. But, wait, is it too early for me to start slipping in Christmas tunes?

FIRE: The state of New Jersey is under a Stage 3 Camp Fire Restriction, meaning all fires in wooded areas are strictly prohibited unless contained in an elevated stove using propane, natural gas, or electricity. Absolutely no charcoal fires are allowed. No bonfires this Halloween, y'all! 

It's been nearly two months without a proper rainfall. The last rain was a very light shower in the early morning hours of Sept. 28, 2024. And the last rainfall where we accumulated more than an inch (1.11 in) was on Aug. 30, 2024.

COMMUNITY

NEW BREW: In the "What's Up, Woodstown" Facebook group, a member asked about the new construction alongside Cowtown Cowboy Outfitters in Pilesgrove. Owner Suzanne Bickford Zigo, owner of the store, responded:

"[W]e are adding on three separate sections. Additional retail space for our store, a food area, a brewery, brewing area, a warehouse and in the back there will be a courtyard. The site work was started a year ago when our site work contractor was available so we said go ahead. Our builder’s engineer took a lot longer than we expected to finish the final prints so we could get quotes to complete the project. We decided to move on to a new builder as well as a new bank. That said our new builder is moving at an incredible pace. We are moving forward and you can expect to see more improvements daily. You can follow us at Bullhide Brewery or feel free to stop in and I’ll show you around. I am very excited about these improvements to our community. I can assure you our additions will only accentuate our town."

LEAVE LEAVES: Woodstown's Leaf Collection is temporarily out of service. Although, it may be back, I'm not sure ... the equipment needs some repairing. Personally, I don't mind because the image of colorful leaves scattered across Woodstown yards is really exquisite this time of year. Though the service is important for road safety, it may not be totally necessary for your lawn. Not raking, or, at least, mulching them with a lawn mower instead of bagging them, is great for lawn care and ground-dwelling insects. Click here for an insightful report from Popular Mechanics, shared by Woodstown Mayor Joe Hiles, about the case for ... well ... leaving the leaves where they are.

WALK: The W-P Regional School District and Woodstown Borough will host the Ruby Bridges Walk to School event at 7 a.m. (morning) on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The parade will assemble at the Snelbaker house at 50 South Main St, walk down Dickinson Street, right onto W. Wilson Ave., and a left onto Macaltioner Ave, then proceed to the Woodstown High School gymnasium and Middle School entrance. The event will feature members of the WHS Drum Line, uniformed sports teams, local Scout troops, and members of extracurricular groups. The walk commemorates Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to desegregate an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960.

VOTE: Elections will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Many local offices are on the ballot. Here are some important deadlines:

3 ways to vote: 

VOTE-BY-MAIL 

Everyone can vote by mail in New Jersey for any reason! If you have not received a mail-in ballot.

Oct. 26: Deadline to request a ballot online

Nov. 4: Deadline to request a ballot in person

Nov. 5: Deadline to postmark your ballot - your ballot must be in the mail by this date

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING

Saturday, Oct. 26 - Sunday, Nov. 3

10am - 8pm Monday-Saturday | 10am - 6pm on Sundays

Note: Your Early Voting polling place may be different from your Election Day polling place. 

INTERGENERATIONAL: Woodstown Friends Meeting will host Intergenerational Family activities throughout the fall. See the list below:

• December 8, 2024 – 9:15 AM to 10:30 AM—We will celebrate the holidays with holiday-themed story and craft time. You won’t walk away empty-handed

FLU CLINIC: The Salem County Department of Health and Human Services will host the following Flu Clinics for residents ages 3 and older. No appointment necessary.

• Wednesday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Oldmans Municipal Building, 40 Freed Rd., Pedricktown. Walk-in.
• Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Carney's Point Municipal Building, 303 Harding Hwy, Carneys Point. Walk-in.

ENTERTAINMENT

CANTARE, an elite vocal ensemble composed of musicians from the prestigious Woodstown High School Chamber Choir, performed last week at the 2024 N.J. School Boards Association Workshop in Atlantic City, N.J. The group is directed by Mr. Kahlil Gunther.

CHOIR: CANTARE, an elite vocal ensemble within the WHS Chamber Choir, under the director of Kahlil Gunther, performed at the New Jersey School Boards Association Workshop in Atlantic City. The group is frequently invited to perform at school and community events, acting as musical ambassadors to the High School's phenomenal music program. 

CONCERT: The Blue Moon Theatre is hosting Laura Cheadle on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Click here for tickets.

SPORTS

WHS Varsity Men's Soccer Coach Darren Huck celebrates his 300th win in October 2024.

MILESTONE: Coach Darren Huck celebrated his 300th win leading the Woodstown High School Varsity Men's Soccer team. He is also responsible for the newly installed WHS Soccer Wall of Fame that was unveiled earlier this school year. The team beat Pitman 2-1. 

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

HALLOWEEN: Sunny, clouds in the evening. High of 79F. Low of 58F. Don't worry about warm jackets during trick or treating hours. Temps will range from 77-72F from 4 - 8 p.m.

FRIDAY: Sun and clouds. High of 76F. Low of 50F.

SATURDAY: Sun and clouds. High of 59F. Low of 41F. 

SUNDAY: Sun and clouds. High of 63F. Low of 37F.

FORECAST: The temperatures are really going to see-saw this week a bit, but mostly remain high. Of note, a 35% chance of rain on early Monday morning, but the weather system seems to be taking such a path that we may see none. 

♦

Woodstown Crier: Where the jack-o-lanterns are carved, the candy bowls full, the costumes prepared, and we're ready for one of our favorite nights of the year — Happy Halloween!

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