The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Arts & Entertainment

Westfield Childrens Chorus to Sing At Glee Club Concert December 9

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT… Members of the Westfield Public Schools Childrens Chorus are shown in rehearsal to perform holiday songs at the Westfield Glee Club’s 76th Winter Concert to be presented on Saturday, December 9, at 8 p. m. at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield. The chorus includes: Stephanie Albright, Jennifer Calello, Christine Clark, Charlotte Clarke, Victoria Dardov, Chloe Demos, Joseph Faustine, Ryan Ferro, Amy Frattarola, Melissa Gallagher, Alexandra Goldin, Grace Hanley, Katie Kline, Anusuya Krishman, Tim Kuehn, Rebecca McNulty, Mairead O’Boyle, Mia Pafumi, Alice Pyo, Chiara Sabino, Dara Silverman, Alexa Vendetti and Trevor Yee. Men’s Glee Club Altos include Courtney Beall, Chris Chin, James Diddell, Elizabeth Foltz, Amanda Garfinkel, Jared Greene, Lauren Krichilsky, Paula Leonard, Keri Faith Pringle, Anne Re, Darren Tighe, Sarah Vincett, and Jordyn Zucker.

WESTFIELD – The Westfield Public Schools Childrens Chorus, with children from all of the town schools, will again perform at Roosevelt Intermediate School on Saturday, December 9, at 8 p. m.

The children will sing two sections of the concert and also join with the Glee Club in two selec tions, “Light Your Christmas” and

“Little Drummer Boy.” The Childrens Chorus and its director have been rehearsing before school hours, thanks to the parents that have transported the singers.

In one section of the concert, the chorus will sing “And We Sang Gloria,” “Something Told The Wild Geese,” “Shepherds Come ARunning,” and “Al Shlosha & Varim.”

In another section, the chorus will sing, “December Greeting,” “Camel Kneel Softly,” “Do Di Li,” “Reindeer Rap,” “Rejoice and Sing the Good News.”

The Glee Club will perform a second concert on Sunday, December 10, at 4 p. m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 414 East Broad Street, Westfield. Director Thomas Booth will perform seasonal selections and play numbers requested by the audience.

Tickets for either concert are available from Glee Club members and also at the door for a donation of $10 for seniors and students and $12 for general admission.

For more information, please call Dale Juntilla at (908) 2320673.

Holiday Happenings

Calendar of Events

Music

RAHWAY – Local residents will sing in a barbershop quartet and chorus as part of the Rahway Valley Jerseyaires 53rd Annual Holiday Show, “The Phantom of the Barbershop” on Saturday, December 2, at 1: 30 and 8 p. m. at Rahway High School. The show will feature the Jerseyaires chorus and the 1999 SPEBSQSA International Gold Medal winners, FRED. For reservations or ticket information, please visit www. users. drew. edu/ jbazewic/ rvc or call Jack Silverman at (973) 3768927 or Charles De Agazio at (732) 4943580. Tickets may also be purchased at Fanwood Bagel and Deli in Fanwood, Musical Discount Center in Garwood, City Music Center in Kenilworth, Roselle Foodtown in Roselle, and Hynes Jewelry in Cranford.

WESTFIELD – The Zephyros Quintet, one of America’s leading wind quintets, will perform on Saturday, December 2, at 8 p. m. at the Burgdorff Cultural Center in Maplewood, and Sunday, December 3, at 4 p. m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall in Westfield. The event will include a special award presentation by the Arbor Chamber Music Society to Chase Manhattan Bank for their support of the arts. Student tickets to both concerts are free. Adults are $18 or $15 for senior citizens. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, please call (908) 2321116 or visit www. westfieldnj. com/ arbormusic.

WESTFIELD – The Westfield Art Association has announced that its “Small Works” exhibit and sale will be on display at The Town Book Store in Westfield, 255 East Broad Street, through December 30. Visiting hours are Monday and Tuesday, 9 a. m. to 5 p. m., Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a. m. to 8 p. m. and Sunday, 125 p. m. For more information, please call (908) 2333535.

Art

SCOTCH PLAINS – The Parent Guild of Union Catholic (UC) Regional High School in Scotch Plains will host its second annual Tree of Lights on Tuesday, December 5, at 6 p. m. In remembrance of a loved one, a special light will be placed on the tree for a donation of $2, $5, $10, or any amount. A remembrance service will be held with scriptural readings. The UC chorus will sing and candles will be let. Caroling and light refreshments will follow. To attend, please call (908) 8891600.

WESTFIELD — The First Congregational Church of Westfield, 125 Elmer Street, will continue their series of MidDay Musicales with a program by so

PLAINFIELD – Westfield resident Patricia Brentano and Fanwood resident S. Allyn Schaeffer are two artists showcasing their small scale art from December 231 in Swain Galleries “Christmas Miniatures” exhibit. The gallery is located at 703 Watchung Avenue in Plainfield. Landscapes, still life, florals and other miniature artwork will be featured. A reception will be held on Saturday, December 2, from 57 p. m. and continue Tuesday through Friday, 9: 30 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m., Saturday from 9: 30 p. m. to 4 p. m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p. m. For more information, please call (908) 7561707.

Lisa Layman

Theatre

CRANFORD – The Cranford Dramatic Club (CDC) will present its children’s show, the childrens theatre production of Cinderella on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10. Performances will be held on December 9 at 10: 30 a. m. and 1 and 3: 30 p. m. December 10 performances are slated for 1 and 3: 30 p. m. Children’s tickets are $5. Adult tickets are $7. Senior citizens are $5. Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office at (908) 2767611. CDC is located at 78 Winans Avenue, off Centennial Avenue.

WESTFIELD – “Muckraker,” the No. 1 selling novel in Westfield according to amazon. com sales rank, is now specially available at stores and eateries in the local area.

Set in and around landmarks, streets, and businesses of Westfield, Cranford, and Scotch Plains, “Muckraker” tells the partial true story of a boy who, upon discovering his older brother’s involvement, uses his high school newspaper to reveal a Mindowaskin Park drug ring. Adventure, harassment and mayhem subsequently follow the boy into a stunning resolution on a descriptive Halloween night.

Along with The Town Book Store in Westfield and all Barnes & Noble outlets, “Muckraker” can now be found at Williams Nursery, West Coast Video, Duke’s Deli, Score Kaplan, Baron’s, Celtic Imports, and Vicki’s Diner, all of Westfield and Bayberry Gift Shop in Mountainside.

“Muckraker” is published by Town Book Press and written by Westfield resident Billy Callahan. A book signing will be held at Nuts N’ Plenty on Park Avenue in Scotch Plains, Sunday, December 3, from 24 p. m.

Literature

youngsters. And, I’m not just talking about the $5 bag of cotton candy. No, the Jungle Adventures on Ice program surpasses anyone’s expectations. Even the most cynical of imaginations, like mine.

You don’t have to be a Disney officianato. In fact, the show doesn’t cater only to those tots who don’t know what an officianto is! There is plenty available for adult eyes to stay glued to the ice.

A different way to get in touch with your “inner child” and not want to let him or her go.

Ticket prices ranged from $14$45. A mere pittance when you consider the unreal eye candy you get in return. Jungle Adventures

ran from November 2126 at Continental, appearing beforehand at the Nassau Coliseum.

Continental will host the next Disney on Ice production featuring

Beauty and the Beast in late January.

My advice? Don’t even think about missing it.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

Jungle on Ice

nature connoisseur. Do not be one bit surprised if she respectfully corners you after a game of bridge or at the holiday table with a query.

“I’ve sort of made a hobby out of studying people,” she admitted with a grin.

Such inquisitiveness helped the author construct the 20 characters in “Sincerely Yours,” as well as an interesting event that she shared with The Leader/ The Times.

About 50 years ago, when things were a little leaner and Christmas gift giving was tougher, Mrs. Wood wondered how some of her Christmas card recipients would react to her request of $1. Keep in mind that $1 held more value 50 years ago than today. While she didn’t go through with it, the idea recurred to her about 15 years ago. She filed the story notion in what she called a “Writing Possibility” file and unearthed it recently.

“It takes a lot of self discipline to write a book,” confided the author.

Mrs. Wood decided that the premise of the book should not be one of simply accepting the money, but making it a loan instead. The loaner’s relationship to the donor would make the plot even more juicy, as different reactions would be elicited by the unusual request.

The author reveled in the endless possibilities of how her characters would react. And, make no mistake, the couples depicted in “Sincerely Yours” are detailed studies in human nature – proving Mrs. Wood is not only a strong researcher on the subject, but a thoroughly fascinating writer.

Speaking on the different styles of writing and how some hard news articles have taken on an editorial bent in the media today, Mrs. Wood maintained that there should be “a definite line between the two.”

“Once one’s opinion is injected,” she stressed, “it becomes opinion. There should be a line.”

Despite one’s age, Mrs. Wood said she would encourage any interested author to pursue the craft.

“I would ask the young person more about their background and encourage experience in publishing,” advised Mrs. Wood. “Try a short story and an article.”

She quipped that an 80yearold person should, keeping age in mind, receive the most prodding of all.

“A lot of people have good stories in their lives if they could just put it on paper,” she said.

If you are wondering if Mrs. Wood used Thanksgiving Day with her relatives as an opportunity to quiz them for research, have no doubt.

While during the interview, Mrs. Wood blushed at the thought, she called back from home and reported that, indeed, she would poll her relatives around the Thanksgiving table.

“I’m interested in finding out reactions to the sight of a person with piercings,” she noted. “I want to know if they find them unacceptable.”

Mrs. Wood and I agreed that piercings in the navel, tongue and other uncomfortable areas are simply unappealing and, well, disgusting.

“Sincerely Yours” is available at The Town Book Store, 255 East Broad Street, Westfield. The paperback, the ideal stocking stuffer, is $12.50.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

Gertrude Wood

CRANFORD – The Celebrations Singers and Children’s Chorus will present their annual holiday concert on Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9, at the Cranford United Methodist Church. Members of the ensemble hail from local communities, including Scotch Plains and Westfield and range in age from 970. Performances begin at 8 p. m. Tickets may be purchased at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and children. Tickets are also available by calling (908) 2418200. prano Lisa Layman and pianist John

Conte, at noon on Wednesday, December 6. These free, halfhour concerts are followed by a soup and sandwich luncheon available for $4.50 in the church’s social hall. For further information, please contact the church office at (908) 2332494.

The majority of A& E press releases will appear as brief calendar announcements to save space for our byline stories.

NEW JERSEY’S OLDEST COMMUNITY THEATER •

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• • • • Saturday, December 9

10: 30am • 1: 00pm • 3: 30pm Sunday, December 10

1: 00pm • 3: 30pm $7 Adults / $5 Children Under 13 & Seniors

Cinderella

The Cranford Dramatic Club Proudly Presents...

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

A musical based on the fairy tale by Charles Perrault Adaptation and Lyrics by Jim Eiler Music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy

Free lighted onsite parking Box Office (908) 2767611

to reserve your tickets! Mastercard and Visa accepted