Your Weekly Newsletter To Find Out What's Going on In and Around Woodbury
February 20-24 2017
Woodbury celebrates Black History Month

As February comes to a close, we continue to celebrate the lives of people who have truly left their mark in the City. The following people, along with many other people who have lived, worked or played in Woodbury have dedicated their time and talent to leave a legacy that will always be a part of the fabric of Woodbury's history.

S. Edward Davis was not originally from Woodbury but certainly made his mark here starting in the 1930's when he became the organist-director of the Bethel AME Church Choir on Carpenter Street. In 1936, Davis created the Woodbury Choral Society to initiate a scholarship fund for worthy needy students and to make a cultural contribution to the community. He was also the first and only Black Field commissioner of the Gloucester county Scout Organization and organized the first troops in Jericho, Pennsgrove, Glassboro, and Woodbury. He served as the Assistant District Council commissioner for the Gloucester County Boy Scouts and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Woodbury rotary Club.
 
On June 18, 2016 the city of Woodbury along with the Afro-American Project unveiled a plaque in honor of Henry Dickerson (1794-1877). Dickerson was an African Methodist Episcopal (AME0 minister, landowner, civic leader and patriot. He lived with his family on a farm in N. Woodbury. In 1862 he leased some of his land in S. Woodbury to the Union Army for a Civil War training camp (Camp Stockton) for the 12th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. The plaque is displayed on Broad Street near the corner of Barber Avenue, in front of the Woodbury Police Station parking lot.
 
 
 
Corporal Hugh Victor Browne II, a Woodbury native, was one of the first Black US Marines from New Jersey to break the color barrier in 1943. He received the Congressional Gold Medal for serving with the Montford Point Marines. Brown was also the co-founder of the Woodbury summer basketball league.
 
 
 
Another famous Woodbury native is actor, Roscoe Lee Browne (1922-2007). You may remember him from his guest role on "All in the Family" as a snobbish black lawyer trapped in an elevator with Archie Bunker or as butler Sanders in the comedy "Soap". In 1986, he won an Emmy for his guest role as Professor Foster on "The
Cosby Show." In 1983 Browne returned to Woodbury to be inducted in the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the track field.
 
Honorable Elliott Graythron Heard, Jr resided in Woodbury and became the first black attorney in Woodbury. He worked for Charles Camp Cotton, Esq. In 1984 he was sworn in as the first Black Superior Court Judge in Gloucester County. Heard was also an active member at the Woodbury AME Church.
 
Jadie Barringer, Jr. was the first African American elected to Woodbury's City Council and his sister, Gwendolyn J. Brown was the first African-American woman elected to Woodbury's City Council serving the City for18 years.
 
Bryant McKinnie, graduated from Woodbury High School in 1997 and went on to become a pro-football player. He played nine seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and in 2011 moved to the Baltimore Ravens where he had the opportunity to play on the winning team in SuperBowl 47. He also played on the Miami Dolphis. McKinnie was twice recognized as an All-American at the University of Miami.
 
Correction to last week's opening photo: The photograph of the Red Bank Burial Ground Dedication was actually taken on June 27, 2014 not 2017.
 


Woodbury Public Schools-Preschool Enrollment
 
Woodbury City Public Schools is holding an enrollment drive for its free, preschool program. If you live in Woodbury and have a preschool-aged child from 2 years old to 4 years old, please contact Preschool Family Liaison Ms. Xiomara Lowery at xlowery@woodburysch.com, call 856-853-0125 ext. 139, or complete the form here and send in to any of our schools.

TAKE Note:

LIBRARY SCHEDULE:
Parents of LGBTQ Kids Forum
Every 1st Monday of the month starting at 7 pm
the first meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2017.

Every Saturday from 11 am - 12 pm/2nd Floor Gallery
Narcotics Anonymous


WOODBURY'S PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The Woodbury Public Library & Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Omicron Omicron Zeta Chapter are sponsoring a
Black History Month Reading Contest
February 1 - February 28, 2017
  
Contest Rules: Select a book from the library's collection of books written by or about African Americans. Read the book. Complete the form for the book and drop it in the appropriate box. The more books you read the more chances you have to be selected as the winner. 
 
Prizes will be awarded in 4 categories:
Children Ages 3-7
Children Ages 8-12
Children Ages 13-18
Adults
 
Drawing Date: Tuesday, February 28 th at 7PM
The Library will verify the book titles and contest winners. Persons can only win one prize. Each winner's names will be posted by March 1 st.

YMCA
The Gloucester County YMCA has several FREE programs available for community members.
  • TEEN CENTER - GRADES 6 - 12 Monday through Friday from 3 - 6 pm at the YMCA and Kimble Memorial United Methodist Church, 19 S. Broad Street.

  • ACHIEVERS, A college readiness initiative for middle and high school students, designed to help gain leadership and life skills. Grades 5 - 12. the program runs from now until May 31, 2017 on Mondays at 6:30 pm and Tuesdays from 6 - 7 :30 pm in the YMCA Studio.
     

ROADRUNNERS CLUB OF WOODBURY
The Roadrunners Club of Woodbury meets at Woodbury Creek Park every Thursday night at 6:30 pm for a Fun Run.

 
INSPIRA Junior Volunteer Program @ Inspira Medical Center Woodbury
Applications are being accepted now through February 28, 2017 for next summer's Junior Volunteer Program at Inspira Woodbury. Applications can be picked up at the Guest Services Department or in the Volunteer Services Department.

Applicants must be between the ages of 15 to 17 at the start of the program in late June. If you have any questions please call Maryanne Basileo, x42084 or Volunteer Services Department, x42034.



AROUND OUR TOWN
 
On Wednesday, February 22, 2017 the Greater Woodbury Chamber of Commerce invited Gloucester County Freeholder Heather Simmons to the Chamber's monthly meeting to present a proclamation to the following businesses: Edward's Hairstyling for 60 years of business in Woodbury along with Kimco Graphics and the Monogram Shoppe for 30 years in business in Woodbury.
 
Visit Downtown Woodbury
Tiki Tiki Board Games
Open Board Game Night
All ages, free to play
Every Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 6 - 9 pm
Every Saturday from 12 - 3 pm
 
El Manantial
Miriachi & Karaoke
Every Friday and Sunday nights starting at 5 pm
 
SHOP WOODBURY
 
Shop Woodbury is a shop local campaign to encourage residents and visitors to shop in the City of Woodbury. Shop Woodbury cards are available throughout the town. Cards and receipts are collected on a monthly basis and a $50 gift card is awarded to the person who spends the most amount of money in Woodbury in a one month period of time. Call 856-845-1300 x143 for more information.
City of Woodbury, 33 Delaware Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
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