CRANFORD ROTARY GOLF OUTING A HUGE SUCCESS

One hundred golfers teed it up at the Cranford Rotary Golf Tournament on July 22^nd at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield. Although the weather threatened at times, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm surrounding the day, which by all accounts was the most successful event in the 23-year history of the tournament. ShopRite of Clark was the primary Tournament Sponsor, helping to raise $12,500.00 for the Cerebral Palsy League, Adult Services Programs. Additional funds raised at the outing will support Rotary scholarships and other giving by the Cranford Rotary Charitable Fund, Inc.

In addition to ShopRite of Clark, there were 17 other major sponsors, lead by Two River Community Bank, the Corporate Sponsor and the Garlic Rose Bistro, sponsor of the $100,000.00 Shootout.  Ninety-five other organizations and individuals sponsored holes, and there were 28 raffle prize donors.

Golf prizes were presented at the banquet that evening, including to Marc Ruderman for the low gross score, Tony Isaksen and Beverly Goldman for low net scores, and to 11 others for other low scores, closest to the pin and longest drives.  There was also a putting contest and five golfers shot for a hole-in-one to win $100,000.00.

The Cerebral Palsy League, Adult Services Programs are designed to assist people with a wide range of developmental disabilities.  Adults may receive training in basic vocational, independent living and social skills.  The programs help to improve an individual’s quality of life by allowing them to remain active outside the home and developing social relationships with others.  They also provide families and caregivers with time to pursue their own interests.

The Cranford Rotary Charitable Fund, Inc. was created in 1996 with a focus on supporting education and to support the many other charitable efforts and projects of the Cranford Rotary Club, both locally, nationally and internationally.

The Rotary Club of Cranford, affiliated with Rotary International, was established in 1923 and serves the Cranford community through service projects, sponsorships and scholarships.  Past beneficiaries of Rotary support include Cranford Family Care, Cranford PAL, Project Home, Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence, Children’s Specialized Hospital, Cranford United Way, Cranford Historical Society, Cranford Senior Housing and the Rotary International Foundation. The Cranford Rotary Club meets every Thursday morning at 7:45 am at the Cranford Community Center. Any businessperson or professional, active or retired, is cordially invited to attend a meeting to learn more about the club. For additional information, please contact Membership Chair Mike Flynn at 908-272-2827.

Cranford Rotary Welcomes Barry O’Donovan

Barry O’Donovan was inducted as a member of the Cranford Rotary at the Rotary meeting on July 11.  O’Donovan is the owner of Kilkenny House Restaurant & Pub in Cranford.   

O’Donovan, who is known for always putting family and community first, exemplifies Rotary’s slogan “Service Above Self”.   He was honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration with the Phoenix Award for Outstanding Disaster Recovery for reopening Kilkenny House just six weeks after  Hurricane Irene hit.  At the time O’Donovan said he was proud and humbled by the honor, and insisted the award wasn’t just for him, but for all of Cranford.   He continues to be a fixture in the community, always willing to support local causes. 

O’Donovan came to America from Kilkenney, Ireland in 1979.   He worked at Joyce’s in Manhattan and owned Henry Grattan’s Restaurant & Bar and the Judge & Jury in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  In 2002 when his children were born he decided to move to Cranford.  He opened Kilkenny House on Sept. 10, 2008, as a place where families could come for dinner.