Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋
The women’s suffrage movement has taken center stage at West thanks to its ongoing performance of Broadway musical Suffs. Here’s what to know. Also this week, father-and-son duo Neil and Brandon Parish are getting closer to reopening The Kibitz Room, the community is mourning the death of a local breast cancer awareness champion, plus, parents react to a new bill proposing a singular spring break statewide.
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With its production of Suffs, Cherry Hill West students are transporting audiences back more than a century to the final years of the women’s suffrage movement, between 1913 and 1920.
West is one of just 12 schools nationwide selected to perform the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about the fight for the vote, culminating in the ratification of the 19th amendment. Performances began last weekend and continue this weekend.
The show has helped introduce both the student actors — there are more than 100 members in the cast and crew — and its audiences to lesser-known suffragists, while also helping them think about today’s political climate and what their future votes will mean.
“It’s inspiring to be able to take the hope from them and be able to apply it to now,” said Madison Dempsey, who’s portraying Carrie Chapman Catt.
The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney has the details on how West landed the show.
💡 Community News
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Demolition of two dilapidated, non-historic structures on Holly Ravine Farm is set to begin this week. The township purchased the 23-acre farm two years ago with a goal of keeping it as preserved land after a developer expressed interest in turning it into senior housing.
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Township council voted Monday evening to approve an ordinance establishing a volunteer police chaplain program within the township’s police department. The goal of the program is to support department personnel through spiritual services.
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The community is mourning the death of Melissa Landay, who died at her Cherry Hill home on March 30 after battling metastatic breast cancer. A longtime senior banking executive, Landay was considered a connector locally and nationally, whether she was connecting lenders and borrowers or female colleagues across the country. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Landay shared her experience publicly in what her family’s and friends’ tribute said “transformed her personal journey into a mission to support others facing similar challenges.”
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Greyhound buses will now stop at the Cherry Hill Mall, rather than the previous Westampton stop 14 miles away. The move, effective today, aims to create a “convenient” combined location for Greyhound and FlixBus, which are owned by the same company.
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Heads up for drivers: Ongoing water main construction on Kresson Road has shifted to overnight hours this week to minimize delays. The intersection at Kresson and Springdale Roads will be closed tonight and tomorrow night starting at 7 p.m. each night and reopen in time for the morning commute. Cooper Landing Road between Pennsylvania and New York Avenues will also be closed today from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for PSE&G work.
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The Friends of the Cherry Hill Public Library’s book sale kicks off Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m., when friends members who live in Cherry Hill get first access. The sale opens to all friends members next Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m., and then the public next Thursday.
🏫 Schools Briefing
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In case you missed it, Superintendent Kwame Morton announced last week that the school district will cut about 70 positions and increase class sizes to help manage its $29 million budget gap. Most of the job cuts, about 76%, are expected to be through attrition, with the remaining reductions made through districtwide layoffs. Class sizes for first through eighth graders are expected to increase by two students, The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney reports.
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The school district has launched a “budget clarity hub” where residents can stay up to date on the 2026-27 school year budget, as well as relevant upcoming meetings.
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Parents in Cherry Hill and elsewhere in South Jersey are reacting to a new bill proposing a singular spring break statewide. Carolina Bevad, whose two sons attend Cherry Hill Public Schools, told The Inquirer she has mixed feelings about the proposal. She believes the district should focus on more uninterrupted weeks of learning by observing federal holidays rather than religious ones. “It just makes the calendar really choppy if you are appealing to everybody,” she said.
🍽️ On our Plate
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The Kibitz Room is one step closer to reopening after a bankruptcy court cleared the way for previous operator Brandon Parish to buy the shuttered restaurant’s equipment yesterday. The decision comes months after the Cherry Hill staple abruptly shuttered and later filed for bankruptcy.
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Mark your calendars: Popular Asian grocery store H Mart has announced a reopening date for its Cherry Hill location, which closed over the summer for a monthslong renovation. The store on Route 70, which now has a food hall, will host a grand opening next Thursday.
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Looking for great chicken parm? Cherry Hill is home to two of the best plates in the state, according to a recent ranking from NJ.com. The outlet puts Il Vilaggio at No. 18, lauding the breading and adding that the cutlets are “fried to a beautiful, golden brown.” Also making the list, at No. 24, is Michaelangelo’s Italian Restaurant. The dish at the long-time staple is a can’t-miss blend of “perfectly thin chicken cutlets” balanced by “flavorful red sauce” and “stretchy mozzarella.”
🎳 Things to Do
🛍️ Spring Craft and Vendor Market: Browse goods from local vendors during this two-day event. ⏰ Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, April 19, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Cherry Hill Mall
🥂 Bubbles, Bags, and Beats: This 21-and-over kosher brunch features mimosas, bingo, a DJ, and a raffle. Advanced registration is required. ⏰ Sunday, April 19, 11 a.m. 💵 $40 📍 Katz JCC
🌎 The Climate Future Film Festival: Celebrate Earth Day by catching these climate-related short films. Registration is required. ⏰ Sunday, April 19, 1:30-4 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library
🥞 Beyoncé Drag Brunch: VinChelle will host this event paying homage to the music icon. ⏰ Sunday, April 19, 2:30-5 p.m. 💵 $19.03 📍 Vera
🏡 On the Market
Located in Barclay Farm, this raised ranch split-level has undergone a number of updates recently, including to its utilities, roof, and windows. The house’s upper level features a living room and eat-in kitchen that has stainless steel appliances and white cabinetry, as well as three bedrooms. The primary suite has a walk-in closet and heated bathroom floors, as does the hall bathroom, which has a jacuzzi. The lower level has an additional bedroom, a full bathroom, a family room with a brick fireplace, as well as a room with a bar. Other features include a covered porch, a two-car garage, and a deck out back. There’s an open house April 25 from 1 to 3 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $675,000 | Size: 2,564 SF | Acreage: 0.23
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
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