Editor's Note: Week in Review (Sept. 6-11)

This week marked new beginnings for students and athletes. It also urged us to share memories of a bar's first year in town, the summer months, as well as the tragedy of a September 11 long ago. Here's a look at the events and issues that made the news:

Sunday, September 6:

• A man dies after leaping from a Garden State Parkway overpass in Cranford as state police troopers arrived at the scene of an accident. Residents stand by while a helicopter takes off from Hillside Avenue School. Traffic and trains are held up during the police investigation.
• Our Patch brothers and sisters put together a summer food tip list for last-minute seasonal grillers.

Monday, Labor Day, September 7:

• Cranford High School holds a joint reunion over the holiday weekend for the Classes of '69 and '70. There was food, music, dancing, reminiscing, pom pom-waving...

Tuesday, September 8:

• Residents and school officials react to the Springfield Avenue bridge closing. Some saw an increase in traffic on their residential streets; others weren't too worried about the changes.
• Cranford's Commissioner of Public Affairs Dan Aschenbach calls on residents to support repairs and renovations to the town's Canoe Club.
• Police make DWI arrests.
• The Cougars girls tennis team gets ready to serve up a winning season.

Wednesday, September 9:

• Environmental Commission agrees to recommend a $400 million state preservation referendum to the township committee. No one is sure how the committee will vote.
• In other environmental news, gubernatorial representatives talk about green initiatives at a town hall-like event in Westfield. 
• Cranford Patch presents a look at the upcoming Cougars football season. 
• Girls tennis gets off to a good start with a win against Bishop Ahr.
• Academy participants get a behind-the-scenes glance at what it's like to be a police officer in Cranford.

Thursday, September 10:

• It's back to school for Cranford kids. Check out the start of the day for Cranford High School students. 
• Kilkenny celebrates its one year anniversary with food, beer, music and prizes.
• A local mom gives insight into the best and worst bits about Nomahegan Park.
• Cougars volleyball looks to set up a repeat.

Friday, September 11:

• Cranford gathers in the First Presbyterian Church to remember those residents killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. See and hear what it was like.
• Girls soccer prepares mentally and physically for the upcoming season.
• Patch offers an exclusive look at Saturday's football home opener against long-time rivals.
• We took another sneak peek at Saturday's Union County MusicFest activities and headliners.

For next week: Share your Cougars-Raiders football photos and thoughts with Cranford Patch at whitney@patch.com