Author: atwiford

More than 2,000 residents celebrated National Night Out on Aug. 5 in Cherry Hill, among many towns locally and nationally that use the first Tuesday of the month to help the community interact personally with police officers, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders.

National Night Out began in 1984, though the township has only had its own celebration in the last 15 years at the municipal building. For the first time this year, it was held on the grounds of Cherry Hill East. Arranged around the stretch of grass on the school’s athletic fields, National Night Out featured booths for area businesses and organizations and food and ice cream vendors, among other attractions.

“Everyone enjoyed music, activities, games, local food and a chance to connect with our police department and first responders,” said Mayor Dave Fleisher. “I, along with township council, thank (Police) Chief (John) Ostermueller and the Cherry Hill police department for their commitment to bringing our community together through this annual event.” 

On the road surrounding the high school, vehicles that included a police car and motorcycle, a fire truck and an ambulance all had doors open so attendees could peer inside, learn how the pieces of equipment work and even sit on one for photos. Dunked in a tank for fun were police officers and SLEOs (Special Law Enforcement Officers).

Assemblywoman Melinda Kane addressed the crowd from a stage.

“I just wanted to welcome all of you to a great event,” she noted. “We’re here as a community event to thank our law enforcement, our first responders, our fire department, who keep us safe day in and day out. “So just to thank you to all of those who serve and to protect us … Have a wonderful evening.” 

Attractions for kids were also on hand. Two horses led by handlers took youngsters on short rides, while a mobile racing simulator enabled them to play video games with some of the officers.

A number of local nonprofits also spread the word about their missions at Night Out. One was Paws Give Me Purpose, which places paralyzed, elderly, disabled or hospice dogs in the home of its founder, because many are not adoptable. 

Cathy Lipton volunteered to help the organization by setting up a table.

“I would like the community to even know about them, because I didn’t know about them until very recently,” she explained. “I’ve lived in Cherry Hill a long time, and so I was hoping to increase awareness. Miracles happen at her (the founder’s) house.” 

Another popular draw at the event was a demonstration of the police K-9 unit, how the dogs are trained and what’s required of an officer to pair with a canine partner. Some of the dogs leapt over fabric hurdles as a treat for attendees.

Officer Vince Kaulinis led the demonstration with his dog, Ringo. 

“We have hours and hours and hours of obedience with our dogs under our belts,” he pointed out. “It’s very, very important. It’s the foundation of everything we do in the K-9 unit.”

The township’s take on the night out also featured a raffle giveaway of nine bicycles. It closed with the audience invited to take to the area in front of the stage for line dances. They included happy numbers like “Cotton Eyed Joe,” the “Cha Cha Slide” and the “Cupid Shuffle.”

Members of a township Little League team comprised of children and young adults with disabilities and special needs got a surprise last month, when the local Dunkin’ presented each player and coach with tickets to the July 27 Savannah Bananas game at Citizens Bank Park.

The donation to Challenger Baseball of Cherry Hill took place two days earlier at the township’s Little League fields.

Team members range in age from 4 to 25, so any interested player can participate regardless of ability level or mobility. Challenger Baseball coaches, Pete Meosky and Steve Silverman, explained how Dunkin’ reached out to offer the donation.

“They just asked if they were interested, and we jumped on board right away,” Silverman said. “They just, they found, they found us through their research.”

Dunkin’ set up its Community Cruiser – a van with samples of its products – and offered drinks of cookie dough-flavored iced coffee and guava refreshers to those at the baseball fields on donation day. Also on hand was company mascot Cuppy, who greeted the crowd and took pictures with the team.

Guests and players got to play Cornhole branded in the company’s colors, and donuts were customized for the team. Oversized versions of the game tickets were also on display.

Jamie Struwe is the senior field marketing manager for Dunkin’ in the greater Philadelphia area.

“We kind of just put some feelers out” he explained. “We were like, ‘What’s a worthy organization that would, one, love baseball, and two, like to have some fun that may not be able to do otherwise?’ So we reached out to the Challenger baseball team and asked them if we could get together and do something special for the group.”

Struwe offered some background on the Savannah Bananas in advance of the game.

“It’s fantastic to give them the opportunity to go see this,” Meosky said. “Ever since they heard about it, they’ve been going online, watching the videos, watching the dancing and everything. They’re all excited.”

“I have never been to a Savannah Bananas game,” said the team’s Emily Payne. “I always see them on Facebook and other social media. I’m really excited to go.”

Shortly after the donation was announced, the wind picked up and it began to rain. But several team members and their families remained, among them player Harley Seher.

“I can’t wait to go to the game Sunday,” she enthused.

The finale of the annual Music Under the Stars concert series at the Barclay Farmstead took place on July 29, after the first of the outdoor shows set for earlier in the month was postponed by threatening weather.

The last of the free series – a second show was performed on July 22 – featured the American Soul Band and was heard by residents and visitors who set up blankets and camping chairs or settled on one of the property’s benches. Room was made for a dance floor.

Band members played covers of music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, along with songs that reflected Philadelphia and its artists.

Connie Borman was in attendance. Her work ensures she always knows what concerts are happening throughout the region.

“I’m an HR person and I check all the concerts going around,” she said, “and I post them at work for everybody, so I know where the concerts are … I send it out to all the employees … And then I tell them like, ‘I’m going.’”

Several community organizations and area businesses set up booths and tables around the historic farmstead to engage with the community. Food trucks and snack stands were on hand to sell lemonade, popsicles, barbequed food, beer and liquor.

Despite the heat, attendees walked around with their dogs and children played along the walking paths and grassy patches at the farmstead.

Cara Jaye is a member of American Soul Band.

“It was amazing,” she noted of the audience. “The crowd was so interactive. We had such a great turnout despite the heat.” 

Stacey Goldberg is the artist representative for the band.

“It was hot, but these are troupers and they did their stuff,” she said of attendees who got up to dance. “The crowd loved them and it was a great night for all. I think everybody danced; they had a great time.”  

The band played tributes to Gladys Knight, the Temptations and the Four Tops and donned a number of shiny, sparkled costumes. For some songs, members asked the crowd to wave paper, hats, rags and bags. They ended their show by descending to the grass to line dance with attendees. 

Lisa O’Neil is a resident of the Barclay Farm area.

“We all love to come out here,” she enthused, “because what’s better than free music?”