Mayor’s Message: Chuck Cahn
One of the gems that makes our community so special is our recreation department, which oversees numerous activities for residents of all ages. In the coming weeks, we will be sending all residents the quarterly community magazine, highlighting township programs, classes, leagues and events.
Given the current economic realities, Cherry Hill Township is uniquely positioned to provide a diverse range of programs to serve a variety of residents, while remaining fiscally responsible in the process. It is my commitment to continue offering these programs and events to the community. I wanted to take a moment to recognize some of the highlights of our recreation calendar in the coming months.
We have many programs already underway for the winter season including our popular youth basketball league, which has about 400 participants ranging in age from second- to ninth-graders. We thank our community partners and local businesses for helping us deliver these successful programs.
As spring approaches, we currently have open registration available for our softball league. Not only is this registration an opportunity for our youth to participate, but the recreation department is also looking for parents interested in volunteering as coaches. Spring programs additionally encompass numerous active youth athletic organizations including Little League baseball, lacrosse, tennis and soccer.
Throughout the township, we are home to 13 community pools and swim clubs. We offer program opportunities ranging from art and dance, to computers and even classes that can help you train for your next 5K run.
The 2011–2012 Croft Farm Ensemble concert series continues in March with a performance by world renowned pianist Greg DeTurck, who is also a graduate of Cherry Hill High School West. Along with the continuation of the ensemble series, our senior citizen lunches will resume in March at Croft Farm one Friday per month and feature a meal accompanied by either live entertainment or a movie.
In April, we will celebrate Earth Day and the Art Blooms Week, hosted by the Cherry Hill Advisory Board. The week of events begins with Earth Festival on Saturday, April 28, at Croft Farm.
The centerpiece of Art Blooms is a juried art exhibit, which is open for viewing during earth festival through May 6. The exhibit is open to all artists working with a variety of mediums.
Art Blooms Week closes with the final concert of the Croft Farm Ensemble series featuring a brass concert given by members of the Ocean City Pops on May 6 at 3 p.m.
Each Memorial Day, the township coordinates a remembrance ceremony with our veterans’ organizations (Jewish War Veterans Furer-Barag Wolf Post 126 and American Legion Post 372) to honor the service and sacrifice our local military families.
These activities are just a quick look at what makes our community such a special place. I hope you and your family will take an opportunity to get involved and let me know how you think we are doing.
Are there programs that you love and can’t live without?
Let us know so we can be sure they continue.
If there are activities we don’t offer now that you would like to see, please let us know. We will take your ideas into consideration as we develop our long-term strategy for recreation activities offered by the township.