Local Events • March 29, 2024

Westfield Area Easter Egg Hunt Updates

by Scott Gleason

Looks like Mother Nature put the kibosh on last weekend’s early Easter festivities throughout the Westfield area. But she didn’t derail them completely. Strong winds and rain in the forecast made organizers postpone their events. Here is an update for the Westfield area Easter Egg Hunts with their new dates so you can still participate in all the Easter fun.

Westfield Easter Egg Hunt Update

Well, the Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for last weekend in Westfield had to be rescheduled. Organizers decided to postpone it to tomorrow, March 20th. The time and location remain the same. This time, though, organizers promise that the hunt goes on come rain or shine. So, remember to bring your basket and maybe check the forecast before you head out to ensure you dress appropriately.

Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt Update

When Mother Nature talks, we all must listen. Along with Westfield, the Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for last weekend also got postponed to tomorrow. If you happen to be near Shady Rest Country Club at 10:15 am, stop by to search for hundreds of colorful little treasures hidden all around the golf course. The Easter Bunny plans on being there for pictures, too.

Cranford Spring Hop Update

Organizers made a few changes to the Cranford Spring Hop to allow extra time for everyone to participate. Downtown Cranford businesses agreed to allow participants to come pick up eggs inside through tomorrow, March 30th. If you picked up your tote last weekend, it should have included an updated list of businesses and their hours so you can plan your trip accordingly.

Family Movie Time at Cranford Theater

Before you head out to the “hop”, why not watch the movie “Hop” at the Cranford Theater. A special screening takes place at 10 am. Tickets cost just $9 per person. The movie’s rated PG and includes some mild rude humor. So, it may not be appropriate for the younger crowd. But if your kids are a little older, it might be fun to see this movie with them.

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Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Market Reports • March 27, 2024

March 2024 Market Update

by Scott Gleason

Curious about your home’s value?

Please click below for the market update of interest to you:

Westfield by Grade School:

Scott Gleason scott@luxuryhomesnj.com

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes

Local Events • March 22, 2024

Cranford Spring Hop 2024

by Scott Gleason

Believe it or not, Spring has officially sprung. It quietly started on Tuesday. Easter Sunday is just over a week away. But you can celebrate it this weekend at the Cranford Spring Hop 2024.

What: Cranford Spring Hop 2024
Where: Eastman Clock Plaza Park
When: Saturday, March 23rd, 12 pm to 4 pm
Admission: $12 per person

Cranford Spring Hop 2024

Organizers broke up this year’s hop into two separate time slots: 12 pm to 2 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm. This helps accommodate more children. Obtain entry by purchasing a $12 tote bag. Each bag includes all the supplies you need to participate.

This “hop” is a little different than other Easter Egg Hunts in the area. For one thing, you pick up your tote at the Eastman Clock Plaza Park. But instead of searching for eggs in the park, your child visits more than 20 different Downtown Cranford businesses to find the hidden eggs. Additionally, kids receive a special Golden egg with a fun prize inside. Make sure you snap a photo with the Easter Bunny sometime during your hop as well.

Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt 2024

Cranford offers their hop. Westfield organized their hunt on the same day as well. But not to be outdone, Scotch Plains also put together an Easter Egg Hunt of their own this Saturday. Starting at 10:15 am, kids ages 8 and under are invited to join the Easter Bunny at the Shady Rest Country Club. The Easter Bunny hid hundreds of eggs all over the country club’s golf course. This is a free BYOB event (aka “bring your own basket”). After the hunt ends, a balloon artist keeps kids and adults entertained. Several family-friendly Easter-themed activities are also planned for the day. Currently, the weatherman predicts a possibility of rain. In case that happens, organizers scheduled a rain date of March 24th.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Local Events • March 15, 2024

Westfield Easter Egg Hunt 2024

by Scott Gleason

Easter Sunday takes place on March 31st this year. But the Westfield Police Department and the local Soroptomists Club convinced the Easter Bunny to make a special stop in town a week early. Therefore, the Westfield Easter Egg Hunt takes place on Saturday, March 23rd. And the Easter Bunny himself promises to show up.

What: Westfield Easter Egg Hunt 2024
Where: Mindowaskin Park (385 E Broad St)
When: Saturday, March 23rd, 12 pm to 2 pm
Admission: Free

Westfield Easter Egg Hunt 2024

The Easter Bunny promises to hide colorful eggs (including some with special prizes) all around Mindowaskin Park. The official hunt kicks off at noon for kids ages one to ten. Unfortunately, this very popular event has already sold out. However, tickets for special needs children are still available. Just hop on over to the egg hunt website here to grab a ticket for your child.

Fortunately, you do not need a ticket to enjoy the rest of the afternoon’s festivities. For example, the Easter Bunny makes himself available for photos throughout the event. Plus, there will be games, face-painting, prizes, candy, and music playing all afternoon. And it all comes free of charge.

Parents need to stay with their kids throughout the entire event. You may park behind the municipal building for free. If that is full, you might want to try parking on the street at North Euclid or East Broad St,

Cranford Peeps-Tacular

Quick reminder. March 22nd is the last day to turn in your submission for the Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2024 contest. But you can still participate even if you don’t enter anything. How? By voting for your favorites. Official voting takes place from March 23rd to March 31st. So, don’t forget to walk around Downtown Cranford and take a “peep” at how creative our local families and organizations are this year. Then, get out there and vote, vote, VOTE!

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Local Events • March 8, 2024

Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2024

by Scott Gleason

This year, Easter falls on Sunday, March 31st. While many people think about jelly beans, milk chocolate bunnies, and Reese’s peanut butter eggs, a survey by Instacart found that the second most popular non-chocolate treat ordered at Eastertime was the marshmallow Peep. So, when I say “peep”, you know I need to talk about Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2024, right?

What: Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2024
Where: Downtown Cranford
When: March 23rd to March 31st
Contact: Cranford Township at (908) 709-7208 or via email

Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2024

This annual competition has gained popularity over the years. We look forward to seeing how creative folks get. All you need to do to participate is create an art piece incorporating Peeps into them. The only limit is your imagination. However, since this is a family-friendly competition, organizers reserve the right to not display anything they deem offensive.

Organizers open this up to all ages. The rules stipulate one entry per person. Entries cannot be larger than 18″ in size (that includes height, length, or width). Make sure your entry is sturdy enough to withstand being moved from place to place. No on-site set-up allowed. Completed entries must be dropped off at their assigned location no later than March 22nd. Entries will be displayed at various businesses around the Downtown Cranford area. After March 31st, each business housing an entry disposes of it themselves.

The public may view each entry between March 23rd and March 31st. Then, they can vote for their favorites. The top three entries receiving the most votes win between $50 and $100 in gift cards.

Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2024

Westfield itself will not be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year. However, the official Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place tomorrow, March 9th, in Union starting at noon. It starts at Morris Ave and Commerce Ave. The parade travels along Morris to Stuyvesant Ave, where it turns right. It ends at the Pearl Harbor Memorial located at Stuyvesant and Elmwood.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Local Events • March 1, 2024

Westfield Week of Service 2024

by Scott Gleason

I believe in giving back to the community whenever possible. When we help each other out, it only makes us a safer place to raise our families. That is one of the main goals of the Westfield Week of Service.

Westfield Week of Service Needs You

The Week of Service takes place from March 25th to March 29th. Students at Westfield High will be participating in the Week of Service in various ways. The biggest day of the week takes place on Thursday, March 28th. That is designated as Community Service Day. On that day, a time will be set aside for a student-teacher basketball game. During that game, members of the Student Government and Community Service Club plan on putting together toiletry kits for local organizations that service the unhoused in our neighborhood as well as those experiencing economic hardships. They plan on assembling approximately 1000 kits. They also want to write thank you and birthday cards for active military members serving overseas as well as cards for local seniors. But they need your help to accomplish this goal.

The groups created an Amazon wish list filled with all of the items they still need to create the toiletry kits. These include toothpaste, floss, wipes, deodorant, and hand sanitizer. They’ll be accepting donations through the middle of March. If you would like to help, please visit their Amazon page and order supplies today.

WHS students participating in the Westfield Week of Service will also be hosting a book drive throughout March. All books received will be given to the Bridge of Books Foundation and the Westfield Library. If you have any toiletry items or books you would like to drop off in person, please deposit them in the box provided outside of the high school. Make sure you mark them as donations for the SGA or the Community Service Club so they go to the right place. Monetary donations may be made to the school’s Wounded Warrior Project page here.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Local Events • February 23, 2024

Westfield Y Healthy Kids Day 2024

by Scott Gleason

Working on one’s health typically falls in the top three most popular New Year’s resolutions each year. For some, that may also include their children’s health. According to the State of Childhood Obesity, 17% of kids in the United States between the ages of 10 and 17 fall in the “obese” category. That translates to about one in every six kids. Help your child learn healthy habits (and maybe pick up a few of your own) at the Westfield Y Healthy Kids Day 2024.

What: Westfield Y Healthy Kids Day 2024
Where: Westfield Area YMCA (220 Clark St)
When: Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Admission: FREE
Contact: Jeff Mcleod, Westfield Area Y (908-301-9622×248) or via email

Westfield Y Healthy Kids Day 2024

Visit our local Y for an afternoon geared towards the health of your kids. Teach them healthy habits with fun family-friendly games. They might even win a prize. Let the kids expend some of their energy on the inflatables. Enjoy demonstrations of some of the sports they offer at the Y. Snack on something healthy, too.

While you are at the Y, check out the great programs they offer for all ages. Aquatics. Summer Camps. Youth sports. Teen trips and tabletop games. Fitness classes for seniors. Sign up for their spring session that lasts from February 25th to April 20th. They’re even hiring full and part-time staff right now.

Cranford Fire & Ice

If you do not have any younger kids living in your household at the moment, why not head over to Cranford for their Fire and Ice event? It happens at virtually the same time as Westfield’s Healthy Kids Day (1 pm to 4 pm). Enjoy fire-breathers alongside ice sculptures and much, much more.

I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves and to all who referred me to your family and friends!

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Market Reports • February 20, 2024

February 2024 Market Update

by Scott Gleason

Curious about your home’s value?

Please click below for the market update of interest to you:

Westfield by Grade School:

Scott Gleason scott@luxuryhomesnj.com

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes

Local Events • February 15, 2024

Cranford Fire and Ice 2024

by Scott Gleason

Last Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs battled it out with the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. (Congratulations to the Chiefs, by the way, for a well-fought win.) What did you snack on while watching the big game? Nachos? Pizza? Sliders? Did you know that, according to the National Chicken Council, chicken wings are the most popular food eaten at Super Bowl parties? How does that tie into our little town? Well, at this year’s Cranford Fire and Ice event, you get the chance to vote for the “King of the Wing” in town.

What: Cranford Fire and Ice 2024
Where: Downtown Cranford
When: Friday, March 2nd, 2024 1 pm to 4 pm
Admission: FREE

Cranford Fire and Ice 2024

Popular with the locals, organizers of this event show that “fire” and “ice” go together like peanut butter and jelly. How? Where else will you see artists creating masterpieces in ice while fire-breathers perform nearby? Enjoy warm cocoa and s’mores while you watch a balloon artist create cute animals and other objects to delight the crowd. There will also be face painters available to help get you in the festive mood.

As I said, the pièce de résistance of the entire day’s event comes when the winner of the “King of the Wing” is announced. Will Venue 104 claim the title for a third year in a row or will someone else snatch the title from them? You can help determine the winner by visiting all participating Cranford restaurants. Sample their wings and vote for your favorites before the end of February.

If Mother Nature decides not to cooperate, organizers plan a rain date of March 3rd. Keep an eye on the weather. Get out there and vote.

Scott Gleason International Presidents Circle

I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves and to all who referred me to your family and friends!

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Local Events • February 9, 2024

Maplewood Winter Farmers Market 2024

by Scott Gleason

The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers go toe-to-toe on Sunday in Las Vegas. But the big game does not start until 4:30 pm. What do you plan to do until then? How about a little shopping at the Maplewood Winter Farmers Market?

What: Maplewood Winter Farmers Market 2024
Where: The Woodland (60 Woodland Rd)
When: Sunday, February 11th, 10 am to 2 pm
Admission: $3 donation per person suggested

Maplewood Winter Farmers Market 2024

Usually, when you hear farmers market, you think about spring, summer, and fall. Typically, wintertime means hibernation for local farmers as they gear up for the springtime planting season. But Slow Food Northern New Jersey hosts wanted to bring this great local resource for sustainable food to our local market during the winter months. Worried about the chilly weather? Don’t be. This farmers market takes place indoors for you to shop in comfort.

Grab yourself some delicious cheese and baked goods from Bobolink Dairy. Start dinner off right with a lovely salad made from microgreens provided by Verde Harvest Microgreens. For the main course, try one of Bone-In Foods’ grass-fed and pasture-raised meats. Then, for dessert, how about a cannoli, dulce de leche, or other sweet treat from Greta’s House? Choose from all this and more when you attend the indoor farmers market at The Woodland.

Before You File

April 15th will be here before you know it. Before you head to your accountant’s office, make sure you read my Tax Deductions for the Westfield Homeowner post. Write down any questions you may have about possible tax deductions before you head out to your accountant. You don’t want to miss out on any chance of reducing your tax bill this year, do you?

On a personal note, I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves, and to all who referred me to your family and friends!

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes

Westfield Area Easter Egg Hunt Updates

Westfield Easter Egg Hunt Update

Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt Update

Cranford Spring Hop Update

Family Movie Time at Cranford Theater

March 2024 Market Update

Cranford Spring Hop 2024

Cranford Spring Hop 2024

Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt 2024

Westfield Easter Egg Hunt 2024

Westfield Easter Egg Hunt 2024

Cranford Peeps-Tacular

Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2024

Cranford Peeps-Tacular 2024

Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2024

Westfield Week of Service 2024

Westfield Week of Service Needs You

Westfield Y Healthy Kids Day 2024

Westfield Y Healthy Kids Day 2024

Cranford Fire & Ice

February 2024 Market Update

Cranford Fire and Ice 2024

Cranford Fire and Ice 2024

Maplewood Winter Farmers Market 2024

Maplewood Winter Farmers Market 2024

Before You File

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