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Cranbury
Tavern Tidbits at Cranbury Inn Supports Local History Research
Greet neighbors, enjoy a signature drink along with hot and cold appetizers, and learn a bit about Cranbury’s contribution to the American Revolution on Saturday, September 21 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the historic Cranbury Inn, 21 South Main Street.
Proceeds from the event, Tavern Tidbits, will help fund the publication of the third edition of the booklet George Washington in Cranbury by Dr. John Whiteclay Chambers II, which includes current research on the question, “Did George Washington Sleep Here?” (Spoiler – he did).
The Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society (CHPS) will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, upcoming in 2026, with reenactors and period music. Tickets are $60 each and available for purchase at cranburyhistory.com , and at local businesses such as Happiness is Homemade, Crow & Teapot, Studio 43, and the Elizabeth M. Wagner History Center at 6 South Main when the center is open, Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chambers wrote of his research in the CHPS spring newsletter and explained that Washington and his army of some 8,000 troops,
stayed overnight in Cranbury from about 9 a.m. on June 26, 1778, through about 7 a.m. on June 27, on their way to the Battle of Monmouth Court House.
Washington’s headquarters were at the home of Dr. Hezekiah and Mary Stites, at what is now 53 South Main Street (a newer house). In fact, a research committee found that Hamilton and Lafayette stayed there the night before.
CHPS published the first edition of Chambers’ book in 2003 (for which he received an award from the League of Historical Societies). The second edition was published in 2010. This third edition will chronicle how members of the CHPS historical research team found information in a handwritten journal of a sergeant, in the 1st Massachusetts Regiment, preserved in the Massachusetts Historical Society, which gave the time. They found other documents that confirmed Washington’s stay in Cranbury, which was important, the newsletter states, as he made battle preparations.
House Tour
CHPS is holding a house tour on Saturday, September 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours will be given at six homes on or near Symmes Court, as well as
the Parsonage Barn, the Firehouse Museum, and the Cranbury Museum.
The CHPS webpage at cranburyhistory.org/parsonage-barn notes the history of the reconstructed Parsonage Barn, circa 1741, thought to be the oldest barn in Cranbury. It once belonged to the Parsonage Plantation of the Presbyterian Church of Cranbury. The historic timbers have been repaired and it was dedicated in 2010.
In conjunction with the tour, an art show is being held at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with refreshments at 3 p.m.
A concert follows at 3:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church featuring poems of Robert Louis Stevenson set to music, and other music.
Pre-Tour Day Tickets at $30 each are sold at the Cranbury Museum, 4 Park Place East, Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; at the Cranbury History Center, 6 S. Main St., Thursday, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.; and, at $35 each sold 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on the day of the House Tour at the Cranbury History Center, 6 South Main Street.
The History Center Gift Shop will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the day of the House Tour.
Cranbury Author Gwen Toma Celebrates A Child’s Spirit in New Children’s Book
Gwen Toma has had a successful and eclectic career encompassing product development, marketing, home décor design, broadcast journalism and art. But she recently went down a new path — publishing her first book — and it is leading to new opportunities.
Lake Girl Chronicles: Every Girl’s Story was written by Toma with her college friend Randy Agness, and illustrated by Toma, a resident of Cranbury.
The book, geared to children, takes place by a house on the shore of a lake in upstate New York, based on Lake Ontario. It tells of the adventures of a young girl told from the point of view of diary entries.
The fi ctional story is nevertheless based on childhood memories of the co-authors, who are friends from St. Bonaventure University, and on memories of a third college friend, who has passed away. The late friend grew up on the lake and told many stories, said Toma.
“We talked about growing up on a lake,” said Toma, who also spent time in upstate New York, and used some of her own childhood memories of New York. “But we started with inspiration from our friend’s life,” she said. “It was a very creative collaboration. We let it flow.”
was her first time illustrating a children’s book. It is about growing up in the 1960s and ’70s — Toma had grown up during those years, but also did research to refresh her memory about the clothing (think pink stretch pants) and games, like hopscotch.
rance Publishing) is described as a “delightful read that appeals to readers of all ages, offering a heartwarming reminder to cherish the simple joys of life and the bonds of family,” by Amazon Book Club’s Sarah Gelman. “With its charming protagonist, engaging narrative, and vibrant illustrations, this book is sure to become a beloved favorite for anyone seeking a cozy escape into the world of Lake Girl.” Gelman gave it a fivestar rating and recommendation on the Amazon website.
The seasons evoke the northeastern United States, but the lake can be anywhere. “We left it up to the child’s imagination,” she said. Through the child’s voice, readers can experience sunset boat rides, fi reworks on the Fourth of July, eating sandwiches by the lake, and joining a football game.
Toma, an artist, illustrated the book, and called the illustrations “very colorful.” It
Gelman says, “One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to transport readers to a tranquil and idyllic setting, offering a welcome escape from the stresses of modern life. Through its vivid descriptions of seasonal activities and the changing landscape of the lake, Lake Girl Chronicles captures the essence of each season, making it a timely and relevant read for any time of year.”
Toma especially liked that the main character, who is not named in this book, is free-spirited, and that the book is filled with simple stories. “It’s about childhood adventures and fun things to do, and there is some girl power.”
The book is the fi rst in a series, and the second book, planned to debut in 2025, is again told through a child’s voice. Lake Girl Chronicles: Making Friends is more about making new friendships, Toma said. Some secondary characters are named in this book, but not Lake Girl. “It’s family-oriented and seasonal, we even include recipes,” she said.
Toma, who has lived in Princeton, lives in a historic house in Cranbury, one that was built in 1910 and inhabited in 1912. Her home will be on the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society’s house tour on September 28. She is known for her art, which was shown at the Cranbury Library last year in the exhibit “Plein Air Perspectives” An Artist’s Travelogue of Transatlantic Crossings, Coastal Connections and Island Greetings,” which included coastal and island plein air paintings. She is completing a certificate of fi ne art from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.
Toma, who is the co-founder of Home Furnishings Monitor and The American National Theatre, Inc., is also illustrating a food and wine pairing book with her collaborator, Agness, an upstate New York winemaker. (Agness is president of Agness Publishing Company, and Toma is creative director.)
And, she has returned to an earlier business as president of Gwen Toma Home Holiday LLC, a home décor consulting business.
For someone who worked in corporate jobs before the pandemic, her post-pandemic life is proving to be busy and creative — looking to the future, while at the same time writing charming tales about the past.
—Wendy Greenberg
TAVERN TIDBITS: The Cranbury Inn is the site of a history fundraiser on
Saturday, September 21 featuring a talk on George Washington’s time in Cranbury.
Gwen Toma
Cranbury Inclusive Playground for All Abilities Debuts in
It took months to plan, weeks to build, and some time until the official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on September 5, but kids and families are enjoying Cranbury Village Park’s new inclusive playground, a play space for all abilities, in Village Park.
“The Cranbury Inclusive Playground has been a positive, wonderful contribution to the community,” said resident and Parks and Recreation Commission member Christina Ftikas. “The process was lengthy and arduous but very worthwhile. It is wonderful to see children of all abilities play together and have a true sense of community.”
The bright blue and yellow playground is eye-catching from the parking lot, and there is an accessible walkway from a handicapped parking space. It boasts a bouncy, porous rubber surface (replacing mulch, which is difficult for wheelchair mobility); wide new rockers; specially fitted swings; ramps; and accessible, wider slides. The merry-goround, or Whirl, not only accommodates those using wheelchairs, but those who might be wearing or carrying adaptive equipment. The calming, sensory-friendly play equipment also keeps in mind sight lines for caretakers.
According to Mayor Eman El-Badawi’s August 13 newsletter, the idea “worked its way through the planning and funding process until it became a reality. Members of our Parks Commission were most active in the planning, along with collaboration, later on, with our Board of Recreation. The
Village Park
two entities were merged into a Parks and Rec Commission this year and brought this project home!”
Funding was the major hurdle, and the price was “prohibitive,” said El-Badawi, but “serendipitously, State Sen. Linda Greenstein (D14) sent to the township a request for projects that needed funding. The legislator got $300,000, or about three-fourths of the expense, funded through a state grant.”
Greenstein, who attended the ribbon-cutting, said that “part of what brings a community together and makes it a good place to raise a family is the presence of public recreational spaces where friends, family, and children can enjoy themselves without the need for paid membership. These grants will help make that possible by funding the revitalization of one of Cranbury’s public spaces and by making it more accessible for residents.”
Cranbury joins a nationwide trend to provide inclusive community areas, including Elizabeth, Hamilton, Long Beach, Medford, Montclair Sayreville, Teaneck, Woodridge, Ventnor, Holmdel, Toms River, Bellmawr, Wayne, and more in New Jersey.
Cranbury Director of Recreation Ken Jacobs pointed to some specific equipment that makes the Cranbury Inclusive Playground stand out. One is a Rock with Me, which, according to the vendor, Gametime, is a glider with six seats for riders, as well as room for a person using a mobility device to fit comfortably inside. “Users can cooperatively shift
TOWN HALL: Cranbury’s Town Hall on North Main Street was officially dedicated on October 14, 2001. The newly-restored building, originally built as a school in 1896, now houses the Cranbury Township offices, township and community meeting rooms, the office of the Cranbury Township Board of Education, and the Gourgaud Gallery.
their weight or push from the outside to rock from side to side,” according to the product description.
Second, he said, is the inclusive Whirl, which “provides ease of access for people of all abilities with its ground-level, zero-entry design. It features seating (at transfer height), a large platform surface that exceeds the ADA requirement for turn-around space, and handrails for users to grasp while spinning.”
Additionally, there is a Rox All See Saw, with high backs and side rails. Each of the four seats on this innovative see-saw are designed to accommodate users of all abilities as they enjoy the rocking motion with their friends. The center saucer is designed for users to transfer easily to and from a mobility device.
Gametime Playgrounds, Jacobs noted, is “one of the largest playground manufacturers in the world. The equipment we installed uses the latest designs in playground technology and is inclusive for all users.”
Said El-Badawi, “While some consider the purpose of the playground to be entertainment, for others in the community, it provides the opportunity for necessary exercise and therapy. Additionally, the inclusive playground is the next upgrade to the traditional playground.”
The plan was to debut the inclusive park at the National Night Out in mid-August, but that event was rained out, as it was in nearby municipalities.
Meanwhile, residents of all abilities are enjoying the playground.
Former Chair of the former Parks Commission Sally O’Grady said, “It serves people of all abilities, and includes everybody. I want to thank Town Council for getting it through.”
Said Ftikas, “The playground area is always full of children and has proven to be a place of gathering and fun. My young daughter who has special needs and limited mobility was my inspiration to really lobby for a play area for all abilities to enjoy.”
“I’m excited that we brought this to Cranbury,” said El-Badawi.
The Cranbury inclusive playground is located within the 19-acre Village Park between Maplewood Avenue and U.S. Route 130.
—Wendy Greenberg
CRANBURY