PODCAST

Cranford Radio

Bernie Wagenblast

Cranford Radio presents the sounds and voices of Cranford, New Jersey. Hosted by Bernie Wagenblast.

news non-profit

All Episodes

22:08

Cranford Neighbors Introduces You to Some of the...

Cranford Radio ·

2025/02/28

It's been less than a year that Cranford Neighbors has been published. In that time, the magazine has featured a number of families in town. They come from a variety of backgrounds but they all have wonderful stories to tell. The man behind the publication is Pete Coates. The periodical also includes day trips, recipes and more and it's made possible by area businesses which advertise in the monthly. This week I turn the tables on Pete and showcase his story and how Cranford Neighbors came to...

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29:21

Former Cranford Resident Examines People of Hope in...

Cranford Radio ·

2025/02/21

In the 1980s Karen Coburn was attending Cranford High School. Some of her friends and their families had become involved with The People of Hope, a Catholic covenant community. Many years later, after moving to Los Angeles, Karen became interested in what happened to the group and those from Cranford who became a part of it. That interest led to an eight-episode podcast series called Shadow of Hope. Karen is my guest on this week's episode to discuss the group and her podcast.

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15:13

Cranford to Hold First St. Patrick's Parade

Cranford Radio ·

2025/02/14

Given the many Cranford residents who claim some Irish heritage, it might be surprising to learn that there's never been a St. Patrick's Day parade in town. That changes on March 16 when the community's first such parade will kickoff at 1 pm at the Community Center and wind it way down Walnut and North Union avenues. Two of the people behind the march are Mayor Terrance Curran and Barry O'Donovan. Barry is the former owner of Kilkenny House. I interviewed Barry in 2014. A number of busin...

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30:29

Father Marc Vicari, Pastor of St. Michael Church

Cranford Radio ·

2025/02/07

July will mark the second anniversary of the start of the Rev. Marc Vicari's pastorate at St. Michael Church. The Cranford assignment is just one of a number of roles Father Marc has had during his ministry. These include campus ministry, working for the Newark Archdiocese, and teaching. On today's episode I speak with Father Marc to learn more about his background, including his years growing up in New Jersey, his time as a student at Seton Hall University and a return to campus to study for...

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17:14

Angels in America to Hit Cranford Dramatic Club Stage

Cranford Radio ·

2025/01/31

In the early 1980s a new, little understood disease was primarily affecting two marginalized groups of people; gay men and intravenous drug users. The deadly ailment which, at the time, had no known treatment, sparked widely varying reactions.Angels in America looks at the AIDS crisis in New York City in the mid 1980s. Cranford Radio spoke with five people involved in the Cranford Dramatic Club production; Michael Kidney (director), Richard J. Colonna (Roy Cohn), Molly Reinhardt (Harper Pitt)...

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24:41

Retired Cranford Teacher Finds New Passions and...

Cranford Radio ·

2025/01/24

Lori Talbot grew up in Cranford and shortly after graduating college returned to town to start a 33-year career as a teacher at Hillside Avenue School.Since retiring she's found new opportunities to use her creative skills as a columnist and content creator. She writes a monthly column for Cranford Neighbors and also has a presence on Facebook and Instagram under Life with Lori. She also works for New Jersey Blood Services, something that grew out of two deeply personal life experiences where...

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25:00

Discerning What That Little Voice Is Saying

Cranford Radio ·

2025/01/17

You know that voice. That thought you just can't shake or the one you know is there but you just can't quite hear what it's saying. Cranford resident Carly Berger Nguyen decided to listen to that voice after the birth of her children and leaving her job in the fashion industry. It led to her starting her life coaching and mindset business, Little Voice Big Matter.Many of her clients are mothers such as herself. She helps them find that place in their lives that brings balance and fulfillment....

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28:33

Richard Brown - Recipient of This Year's Martin...

Cranford Radio ·

2025/01/10

For most of Richard Brown's adult life he has had a passion for repairing the world. In his case, that has largely involved addressing homelessness. In recognition of his work, the Cranford Clergy Council and the Cranford Interfaith Human Relations Committee has decided to present this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Award to Richard.In this week's episode I chat with Richard about his efforts and how he and his late wife, Jan, have made a difference. The award will be presented at the communit...

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33:23

Behind the Curtain of a Broadway Show with Christy Ney

Cranford Radio ·

2025/01/03

Many people in Cranford have attended a play or musical in New York City. While you see the performers on stage there's a lot you don't see that makes the show possible. Cranford resident Christy Ney has worked extensively in theater including stints with the Tony Award-winning Side Man, the first national tour of The Lion King and 14 years in the New York City production of Wicked.Today, she teaches, does free lance work as a stage manager (and more), and is involved with the arts community ...

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14:21

Cranford to Host Union County Interfaith Homeless...

Cranford Radio ·

2024/12/06

Calvary Lutheran Church will host this annual event the evening of Thursday, December 19. The event is organized by the Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council. One of the leaders of the organization, Rev. Carmine Pernini, the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway, spoke with me about the event.

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10:32

Disney's Beauty and the Beast Coming to CDC Stage

Cranford Radio ·

2024/11/29

As sung in one of the signature songs from the musical, the next Cranford Dramatic Club production is a "tale as old as time." However familiar this story may be, there will still be some surprises as the CDC presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast in December.Cranford Radio spoke with three of the cast members, Avamichelina Hodgens (Belle), Zach Love (Beast) and Sean Lynch-Littlejohn (Lumier) to get a sneak peak at the musical.

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12:33

Cranford Library Plans Expansion of Children's Room

Cranford Radio ·

2024/11/08

The Cranford Public Library's current building opened in 1962. While the main library has expanded over the years, the children's room has basically maintained the same footprint. That's going to be changing. Starting in the new year, construction will begin on an expansion of the children's room. Joining me on this week's podcast is Kathy Cannarozzi, the director of the Cranford Public Library. We talk about how the library will change, the funding and the schedule.Additional information on ...

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9:20

Cranford Radio's First AI-Hosted Podcast

Cranford Radio ·

2024/10/11

If you're old enough to remember the late 1990s you may recall the hype and excitement about the dawning of the internet age. Some predictions came true, other promises fizzled. Today, artificial intelligence is having a similar moment. For this week's episode I turned to Google's NotebookLM. I uploaded articles about me from The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as a piece I wrote and presented on CBS Mornings. The results are amazing and scary. You have to listen carefully to ...

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19:24

Cranford to Hold Free Narcan Training and Distribution

Cranford Radio ·

2024/10/04

Narcan, generically known as naloxone, is a medication that can reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. You do not need to be a medical professional to administer Narcan.The Cranford Prevention & Wellness Alliance, together with the Cranford Police Department, is sponsoring a free Narcan training and distribution event at the Cranford Community Center. It will be on Tuesday, October 15 between 7 and 8:30 pm.On this week's episode I speak with Karen Bennett from the Alli...

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10:52

Community Access Unlimited Provides Training In New Café

Cranford Radio ·

2024/09/27

Community Access Unlimited has provided training, housing and employment services to those with developmental disabilities since its founding in 1979. One of CAU's newest ventures is the T.eat.ch Café, where members can learn and practice various aspects of running a restaurant. On this week's episode I speak with Sandie Lynch, CAU's associate executive director, and Joshua Moreines, a Cranford resident and graduate of the program.

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22:39

Get to Know Rev. Dr. Deborah Brooks from St. Mark AME...

Cranford Radio ·

2024/08/30

In some ways the story of Rev. Dr. Deborah Brooks is the story of returning. First, there was her returning to live in Cranford after spending the first ten years of her life in town. There was also returning to St. Mark AME church, first as a member and then as the pastor. In this week's episode hear about Rev. Brooks journey, a bit about the congregation and an upcoming Family & Friends Day to which the community is invited.

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29:37

Cranford Voice Actor Has Narrated Hundreds of Books,...

Cranford Radio ·

2024/08/16

Fans of anime are likely familiar with Yu-Gi-Oh!. Two of the main characters on the series are Marik Ishtar and Yami Marik. Both were voice by Cranford resident Jonathan Todd Ross. Today, Jonathan is a prolific audiobook narrator, having narrated nearly 500 books.On this week's Cranford Radio episode we talk about both roles, including getting an inside look at what goes into voicing an audiobook and how technology has and continues to change the business.

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13:37

Blood Donations Are a Year-Round Need

Cranford Radio ·

2024/08/09

On Monday, August 12, the bloodmobile will be at the Community Center between 1 and 7 pm. Donors on Monday will be get a voucher for tickets to a Mets game. This week's guest on the podcast is Genevieve Toscano, an account manager with New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center. We chat about why the need for blood increases during the summer, the different types blood donations that can be made and some of the misconceptions about donating blood.

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20:10

TV-35 Manager Don Smith Looks Back at His First Year

Cranford Radio ·

2024/08/02

Cranford's TV-35 has been broadcasting for over three and a half decades. Don Smith is coming up on his one-year anniversary as the station's manager and he joins me on this week's podcast to talk about the changes that have happened at TV-35 during the past year.TV-35 today is available in far more ways that it once was. A live stream makes it available to viewers around the world. Previous shows can be viewed on demand via a YouTube channel and Verizon FiOS subscribers can watch the channel...

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18:09

Cranford's Newest Downtown Business - Savor Snack Shop

Cranford Radio ·

2024/07/26

Savor Snack Shop hopes to be opening at 18 North Union Avenue in early August. On this episode of Cranford Radio I speak with Jason Sanchez who, along with his wife Michele Santo, is a co-owner of the business.We talk about some of the products the store will carry, his previous retail experience and why he picked Downtown Cranford.

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