🌱 Patch AM: Cranford Theater Honored With National Award

Hello again Cranford! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Cranford Theater wins national giveback award after year of challenges
• New Cranford sweet shop earns Best of 2025 recognition
• Cranford salutes hometown commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski before retirement

Also on today's calendar: Art of Living Part 1 Program in the presence of Gurudev and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Heavy morning rain; windy, with a high of 58 and low of 29 degrees.
• Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; colder, temps: high: 39, low: 32.
• Sunday: Windy with some sun, with a high of 47 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Cranford Theater Honored With National Award (patch.com) — Cranford residents can celebrate as the Cranford Theater earns a national “BIG Holiday Giveback” award for its resilience and deep support of the community, even after a ceiling collapse forced months-long repairs. The theater will receive $1,500 in Downtown Cranford Gift Cards, which owner Doreen Sayegh plans to reinvest locally while expanding programming to include comedy shows and other live events.
   

2. Carmelas Sweet Shoppe Gets Best Of 2025 Nomination (patch.com) — Cranford’s Carmelas Sweet Shoppe is earning praise in the Best of 2025 series for quickly becoming a community favorite since opening this year. Nominator Karen Hyden highlights owner Rosie’s kindness, support for local fundraisers, and positive impact on Cranford residents, while inviting others to share their own local favorites.
   

3. Cranford Honors Longtime Resident, Union County Commissioner Ahead Of Retirement (patch.com) — Cranford leaders recently celebrated longtime resident and Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski as she prepares to retire after more than two decades of service. Officials praised her integrity, her role in improving Raritan Valley Line access to New York City, and her advocacy for human services that benefit Cranford and the wider Union County community.
   

4. Girls Swimming: Scotch Plains-Fanwood Defeats Cranford, 96-74 (tapinto.net) — Cranford High School’s girls swim team fell 96–74 to Scotch Plains-Fanwood in a competitive meet at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, but several Cougars delivered standout performances. Cranford swept the 100 butterfly and saw Maddie Minchak take the 100 backstroke, highlighting strong individual efforts despite the team loss.
   

📸 Around Cranford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Cranford

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★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Art of Living Part 1 Program in the presence of Gurudev
  Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson, 2 Exchange Pl, Jersey City
  6:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Office Furniture & Soft Seating Warehouse Furniture Liquidation Sale
  Panera Bread, 301 Grand Ave, North Brunswick Township
  9:00 am

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Family Service with Glowsticks at First Presbyterian
  First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, NJ, 11 Springfield Ave, Cranford
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Broadway Through the Ages
  Westfield High School, 550 Dorian Rd, Westfield
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• Ice Hockey: Boys JV vs. Don Bosco Prep (Away)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  8:45 pm

Sunday December 21

• SHOULDA 12:00-6:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford

Monday December 22

• SHOULDA 7:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford
• Ice Hockey: Boys Developmental vs. Scotch Plains-Fanwood (Home)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  4:45 pm
• Kapers - Gym
  McKinley Elementary School , 500 First St , Westfield
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• SHOULDA 7:00
  Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford
• Basketball: Girls Varsity vs. Cranford (Away)
  Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
  First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, NJ , 11 Springfield Ave , Cranford
  8:00 pm

📣 Cranford Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Cranford PatchAM possible:

• Dogtopia of Union — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• Omega Maintenance Facilities & Janitorial Services — (908) 282-4482
  Hurry - November Savings 20% Discount for All New Accounts!
• Orange Mattress — (732) 428-4125
  Call or Stop by for Daily Deals

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
  Bambi was LOST on December 17, 2025 in Newark, NJ 07104 near Fourth Ave and summer Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor Roosevelt Park)

• Atria Senior Living posted a job opening for Dishwasher in Cranford. Apply here.
• Albertsons Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Night Crew Stocker in Kenilworth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cranford here.

Ok Cranford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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