A longtime township educator will become Cherry Hill High School East’s new principal this summer, months after the former principal resigned amid an ongoing legal battle with another former administrator.
The Cherry Hill school board on Feb. 24 appointed John Cafagna, currently the principal of Rosa International Middle School, to take the helm of East beginning July 1.
“I look forward to providing operational stability, being the wellness guardian for our students and staff, honoring our great traditions, and leading us as we move forward together as one East, one community, and one vision,” Cafagna said, addressing the school board.
Cafagna has worked in the Cherry Hill Public Schools for nearly three decades, starting as an educational technologist and working his way up as a teacher, assistant principal, and, most recently, principal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rowan University, master’s degrees in education and educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and Capella University, and a doctorate in educational administration from Capella University.
Cafagna will earn a salary of $200,000 as East’s principal.
Leslie Walker, a longtime educator who became interim East principal in October, stepped down abruptly late last month, according to Eastside, the high school’s student newspaper. Walker’s contract was set to end in June. Walker told Eastside personal stressors in her life prompted her resignation.
Neil Burti, Cherry Hill’s director of secondary education, will handle East’s principal responsibilities in the interim, said Nina Baratti, the district’s public information officer.
Cafagna’s appointment came five months after the school’s former principal resigned.
Daniel Finkle resigned in September after David Francis-Maurer, a former assistant principal, accused Finkle and the school district of discrimination and a “calculated campaign of targeted retaliation” in a lawsuit. According to Francis-Maurer, the district retaliated against him by not renewing his contract after he blew the whistle on Finkle for skirting school policies and engaging in offensive behavior.
Finkle has denied the allegations in legal filings, saying that he did not discriminate against Francis-Maurer and that the decision to not renew Francis-Maurer’s contract was due to “job performance and nothing else.” Finkle alleged Francis-Maurer was argumentative and made “egregious errors” as assistant principal. Finkle also denied allegations that he did not follow school policy when sensitive student issues emerged.
Cherry Hill High School East, located on Kresson Road, enrolls around 2,000 students in grades nine through 12.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Chefs Nana Araba Wilmot (left) and Laurence Louie compete on season 23 of “Top Chef,” which premieres on Monday.
Locals tuning into the season premiere of Top Chef Season 23 on Monday might spot a familiar face. Cherry Hill native Nana Araba Wilmot is competing on the popular Bravo show, where she’ll showcase her culinary skills and her Ghanaian heritage.
An East grad, Wilmot was raised in Cherry Hill, and today is the owner of Georgina’s Private Chef and Catering Co. and traveling supper club Love That I Knead.
Wilmot began cooking at the age of 7, learning the time-tested recipes and traditions of Ghana from her grandmother.
The developer who got the Plaza Grande 55-and-over apartment complex to the finish line has put the project on the market. Several developers had tried, but failed to complete the final piece of the $1 billion redevelopment of the former Garden State Park horse racing track. Developer William “Billy” Procida said he put “so much blood, sweat, and tears” into developing Plaza Grande, but added it’s time to sell, The Inquirer’s Michaelle Bond reports.
Typical home values in all three of Cherry Hill’s zip codes rose between January 2025 and this January, according to new data from Zillow. The 08003 zip code still has the highest home value, which averaged $549,594 as of this January, up 5.14% over the prior year. Residents in the 08034 zip code typically saw their home value increase 5.8% to $436,173, while the typical home value in the 08002 zip code rose 4.93% to $418,359. (NJ.com)
Last month, Mayor David Fleisher and Camden County Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fleisher, who are married, gave proclamations to East senior Siana Armando for helping a coworker experiencing a medical emergency, including a seizure, during a shift at Nothing Bundt Cakes in the Barclay Farms Shopping Center. Armando said she had personal experience in similar situations and was able to help her coworker while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
A rabid skunk attacked two dogs in the backyard of a Cherry Hill home recently. The dogs are being confined and under observation for the next four months. (NBC Philadelphia)
🏫 Schools Briefing
Two of the district’s basketball teams are continuing their post-season runs. The top-seeded East boys’ basketball team defeated the No. 4 seeded Atlantic City High School at home yesterday61-51, booking a spot in the Group 4 final. The Cougars will have home court advantage for the Friday game. Follow the results here and see the full group bracket here. And the West girls’ basketball team, top-seeded in Group 3, takes on Hammonton High School today after defeating Clearview Regional High School on Monday. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. at home. Follow the results here and see the full bracket here.
Seven Cherry Hill wrestlers are advancing to regional tournaments after successful outings in the NJSIAA District 28 wrestling tournament last weekend. Gabe Jones, Praise Okereafor, Clayton Tyson, Caden Rossi, Aiden Sanchez, and Jakob Ubarry, all of West, and Dominic Canzano of East are all competing. (Courier Post)
It was the end of the road for a couple of the district’s post-season runs. After making it to the Group A final, East girls’ swimming fell 102.5-67.5 to Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School last Wednesday. And East girls’ basketball defeated Atlantic City High School in its Group 4 first-round matchup before falling to Howell High School in the quarterfinals 55-41.
The school district has a board of education meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. See the full calendar here.
SACC summer camp registration opens today at 4 p.m. There are two-, three-, and four-day programs available Monday through Thursday from June 29 through Aug. 13 for township residents entering first through fifth grade.
🍽️ On our Plate
The Kibitz Room’s gross revenue fell by about 12% last year, according to a recent bankruptcy court filing. The popular deli reported $2.2 million last year, down about $300,000 from the year prior. It’s unclear if a decline in revenue is a reason for the business’ abrupt closure earlier this year. The Kibitz Room has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, with a court date scheduled for early May. Former owner Brandon Parish has said he hopes to reopen the deli, which was being run by his mother, Sandy Parish. (Courier Post)
Looking for great dim sum? Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao is one of the best spots in the region, according to The Infatuation, which suggests ordering the “Lucky 6” at the Towne Place at Garden State Park spot. The colorful assortment includes six dumplings filled with things like black truffle, chicken, and scallops.
🎳 Things to Do
🤵 Project Prom: Teens or their parents can browse and take home a gently used formalwear outfit for the next big dance. ⏰ Wednesday, March 4, 4-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cherry Hill Public Library
👹 Monster-Mania Con: Horror fans won’t want to miss this three-day event, where you can see stars from frightening films. ⏰ Friday, March 6-Sunday, March 8, times vary 💵 $41.74-$72.49 📍DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia
🦜 Birds in Trees and Flowers and Bees Artist Reception: See the works of photography duo Wendy and Bruce Rubin, who have been together for almost 40 years, and turned their lenses toward birds and other wildlife. ⏰ Saturday, March 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cherry Hill Public Library
The stucco-fronted home spans over 3,000 square feet.
Located in the Olde Springs neighborhood, this home features a living room, a dining room, and an open-concept family room and kitchen. The family room has a gas fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and a skylight, while the kitchen has two spots for eating, as well as a dedicated pantry. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including the primary suite that has a walk-in closet, a tub, and a large vanity. The finished basement has a full bathroom and what could be a fifth bedroom.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Chef Nana Araba Wilmot’s career has taken her everywhere from top-tier French restaurants in New York City to dinner parties in Accra, Ghana. Now, the Cherry Hill-raised chef is taking her culinary skills to the 23rd season of Top Chef, Bravo’s high-stakes, elimination-style culinary competition.
Wilmot is the owner of Georgina’s Private Chef and Catering Co. and Love That I Knead, a traveling supper club grounded in Ghanaian cuisine. Her love for cooking was forged in her childhood home in Cherry Hill, where her parents and grandmother brought the flavors of their native Ghana into the house, and in kitchens in Philadelphia and New York City, where she learned the craft of restaurant cooking.
Now, Wilmot is a private chef and caterer who wants to put her own story on the plate. She’s taking on the competition in the newest season of Top Chef, which will officially hit screens next week but is available early on streaming.
Chef Nana Araba Wilmot is competing on season 23 of “Top Chef,” which premieres on Bravo on March 9, but early streaming access is available now.
From Cherry Hill to Le Coucou
Wilmot was raised on the east side of Cherry Hill. She attended private school up until fourth grade, then graduated from James F. Cooper Elementary School, Henry C. Beck Middle School, and Cherry Hill High School East. She played lacrosse and joined the dance team and student government.
“Cherry Hill was always good to me,” Wilmot said.
At age 7, she started cooking with her grandmother.
Wilmot’s childhood memories are dotted with warm, lively dinner parties and Ghanaian events where smells of fried fish and Jollof rice mingled with the sounds of hiplife music playing on her dad’s stereo system. Within the walls of her childhood home, and the homes of her friends and family, Ghanaian life was kept alive through time-tested recipes and traditions. Seeing Ghanaian food outside of the home was rare.
“When I would leave the house, that just wasn’t what was outside,” she said.
“For us, it wasn’t like our food is for sale, it was for us.”
After graduating from Cherry Hill East, Wilmot attended the now-shuttered Art Institute of Philadelphia, where she earned degrees in culinary arts and culinary management in 2013.
She worked her way up in the restaurant world, starting with an internship at Time, the restaurant, whiskey bar, and music venue in Midtown Village.
“I really enjoyed being downtown and really just immersing myself in the vibe of the Philly food scene,” Wilmot said, of her first foray into Philadelphia cheffing.
She got her first full-time job at Vintage, a wine bar and bistro near Time, and started catering on the side. Wilmot was working at Jose Garces’ Tinto and Village Whiskey when she accepted an offer tohelpGarces open a New York City outpost of his Spanish restaurant Amada.
“I kind of understood what Jose was doing and his style of food, which is really excellent,” she said. “He was also an ode to his grandmother and mother, so I understood that kind of wanting to see yourself in the food that you’re presenting.”
Amada’s Manhattan location closed after two years, failing to garner the buzz of Garces’ other restaurants. But Wilmot had fallen in love with New York. She moved on to her next job, learning the craft of fine dining under chefs Daniel and Marie-Aude Rose. Her stint at Daniel Rose’s Le Coucou was “incredible,” Wilmot said.
“I’d been in casual fine dining for so long, but this was the epitome of fine dining,” she said.
When Wilmot was hired in 2016, she became the first Black woman to work Le Coucou’s meat-roasting station. The experience was life-changing, but demanding, and Wilmot’s place as one of the few Black women in a white- and male-dominated industry left her self-conscious at times and, once, made her the object of outright hostility from a senior coworker, she told the New York Times in 2021.
Wilmot was preparing to move to Paris to work at one of Daniel Rose’s French restaurants when COVID shut down the world.
Like many millennials, Wilmot found herself stuck in her suburban hometown, career on pause, future uncertain.
To help “bring herself back to life,” Wilmot started cooking with her mom on Sundays. Wilmot would sit in their kitchen, watching her mom make soup or bread or rice, writing down family recipes that had long been passed down through memory.
Around the same time, Wilmot jokes that she enrolled in the “university of the aunties,” visiting with older women in her community to learn their Ghanaian recipes. Like her mother’s dishes, many of the recipes weren’t written down, but rather handed down verbally from generation to generation. Wilmot rose with the sun, watching the women bake bread and fry fish, and documenting it for posterity.
From her mom’s backyard, she hosted a socially-distanced dinner party for restaurant industry friends.
The slowness of the pandemic forced Wilmot to rethink her life in restaurants, which she says are “not for the faint of heart, especially as a woman.” Did she really want to return to the chaos of a white tablecloth kitchen?
Wilmot decided to pour herself into Love That I Knead and Georgina’s. Love That I Knead has popped up everywhere from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to OSTUDIO, a community gathering space in Brooklyn. These days, Wilmot’s traveling supper club operates in New York City, Philadelphia, and Accra, Ghana. She sees herself as part of a new generation of chefs who want to see their own cultures reflected on the plate.
Chefs Nana Araba Wilmot (left), Duyen Ha, and Day Joseph compete on season 23 of Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
Taking Ghanaian cuisine to ‘Top Chef’
When it came to throwing her hat in the ring for Top Chef, Wilmot says she just needed to “shake it up.” It was a real “why not?” moment.
Though she can’t reveal much about the season, which takes place in North and South Carolina, she said her Ghanaian recipes fused beautifully with the flavors of the Carolinas, due in large part to the enduring impact of West Africans on the recipes and culinary techniques of the South.
“There’s still so many traces of African food, of my ancestors, that is here in the South,” Wilmot said.
Wilmot said Top Chef is “just the beginning.” She’s excited to make her family and South Jersey proud, and to “start the conversation” about food in the African Diaspora.
Top Chef returns March 9 from 9 to 10:15 p.m. on Bravo. Early access to the season premiere is currently available on Peacock, Bravo’s YouTube channel, and video on demand. Beginning March 16, the show will move to its regular 9:30 p.m. time slot with episodes available the next day on Peacock.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
When Coach opened a store at the Cherry Hill Mall in November, mall executives were ecstatic — even though it’s been 85 years since the high-end retailer was founded.
Coach is as hot as ever. And its new shop in Cherry Hill is just another sign of the South Jersey mall’s success, according to leaders with Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), which owns the complex.
“Cherry Hill is clearly a dominant fashion property,” Paula Charles, PREIT’S first vice president of leasing, said in a recent interview.
In the competitive Philadelphia market, “the better retailers have gravitated toward the better assets,” including Cherry Hill, added Joe Aristone, PREIT’s chief revenue officer.
They noted that top-tier retailers increasingly include legacy brands — long-established companies like Coach, Zara, and Levi’s, that are making a nostalgic, social media-fueled comeback with younger consumers.
Employee Alex Costa (right) assists Alessandra Bruno as she shops for purses with husband, Luke Baur, and their 20-month-old daughter, Rosalina, at the Coach store at the Cherry Hill Mall.
In the Philadelphia area, these retailers have maintained a presence along shopping corridors in Center City and at higher-performing malls like Cherry Hill and King of Prussia, which is owned by Simon Property Group.
Prior to the Cherry Hill opening, Coach operated shops in King of Prussia and Marlton, as well as off-price locations at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets near Pottstown, the Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood, and the Tanger Outlets in Atlantic City. The brand also has an outpost at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Coach spokespeople did not return requests for comment about their investment in the region.
PREIT executives declined to comment on sales so far at their new Coach store, but said brand and mall executives are pleased with how the store is doing — and what that means going forward.
“Coach has had a strategy to make sure that they capture Gen Z,” a demographic that PREIT executives also want to attract and retain as they age, Charles said.
Why Gen Z and millennials love Coach
Joe Williams, of Magnolia, N.J., buys a handbag for his daughter, Samantha Williams, at the Coach store at the Cherry Hill Mall.
About two years ago, Breana Stringer, now 26, noticed that many of her friends were going out with Coach bags. And when she’d open TikTok, she said, the platform’s algorithm showed her videos of other users’ Coach collections.
Up until that point, the Fishtown resident had been an accessory minimalist: “I was very much an ‘if it doesn’t fit in my pocket, I’m not bringing it’” type of person.
But Stringer said she was influenced by her friends and TikTok to start buying Coach bags, mostly secondhand (though she has received new Coach bags as gifts). She has come to enjoy styling them with her outfits.
To Stringer, Coach’s appeal to Gen Z consumers is simple, she said: “They’re affordable in terms of a luxury name brand, and they’re vintage styles.”
New Coach bags start at $95 for a short shoulder bag, while larger purses can cost $500 or more. At outlet stores and secondhand shops, prices are lower.
In South Philly, Stephanie Gonzalez, 33, has restored and resold dozens of vintage Coach bags, mostly to Gen Z and millennial women.
She said these women see the Coach brand as “timeless.”
For Gen Z, “what is happening is they are really into Y2K, late-’90s, early-’90s nostalgia,” Gonzalez said. “TikTok has been a big hub for people” to share their love of Coach and brands that were popular in those years.
As for other legacy brands, Stringer said some of her Gen Z friends have also started wearing Cartier rings, which have been around since the mid-1800s and can cost more than $1,000. It’s a trend Stringer has yet to get behind, she said, because she has a tendency to lose small accessories: “I’m less likely to lose a bag.”
How legacy brands are boosting Philly-area malls
Products are displayed at the Coach store at the Cherry Hill Mall.
Cherry Hill Mall isn’t the only local shopping center to have welcomed new legacy retailers recently.
In the past six months, Abercrombie & Fitch, Columbia Sportswear, Lacoste, and New Balance have opened new stores at the King of Prussia Mall, and an Adidas outpost is also set to open there soon.
At the Philadelphia Premium Outlets, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, and New Balance have opened stores in the past year, while the Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood have added New Balance and Columbia locations. Like the King of Prussia Mall, both outlet malls are owned by Simon Property Group.
Typically, these re-energized brands are attracted to places where other similar companies have already set up shop, say the PREIT executives who help shape the tenant mix at the Cherry Hill Mall.
And they said this cyclical effect further cements the region’s dominant retail centers as shopping destinations.
“There is so much media out there as it relates to closed malls,” said Aristone, the chief revenue officer. Many of the surviving malls, however, are thriving, he said, thanks in part to these legacy brands.
The Plaza Grande apartment complex, part of a Cherry Hill housing development that took almost two decades to complete, is now on the market.
The apartments in the 55+ housing complex near the former Garden State Park Racetrack were listed for sale last month, as first reported by the Philadelphia Business Journal. The 507 rental units across 16 buildings are located just south of the Cherry Hill Mall between Routes 70 and 38 and were completed last year.
The residential Plaza Grande at Garden State Park was the last piece of a $1 billion redevelopment of the former Garden State Park horse racing track and surrounding area. The mixed-use complex spans hundreds of acres and is known for Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, restaurants, and other stores.
Home construction at the 34-acre Plaza Grande portion began in 2007, and 101 condos were built. But several builders failed to finish the project in the face of hurdles that included the Great Recession and lawsuits.
A few years ago, New York-based investor and developer William “Billy” Procida stepped in. He completed construction on the remaining283 of the 507 apartments last summer, and the units are now 80% leased.
“We’re not in the business of holding property,” he said. “But this one, I put so much blood, sweat, and tears in it, it’s a hard one to let go.”
Developer William “Billy” Procida poses in the lobby of the clubhouse at Plaza Grande at Garden State Park in Cherry Hill on Aug. 6, 2025.
He said he’d like to find a buyer “who’s going to treat it really nice.”
Offers are due in a month, said Samantha Kupersmith, senior director at JLL Capital Markets, which is handling the sale. The property listing does not include an asking price, as is generally the case for properties JLL handles, she said.
The property is in “such a good location with a lot of scale,” which makes this “a unique deal,” Kupersmith said.
One- and two-bedroom apartments at the Plaza Grande are currently available starting at $2,200 and $2,800 per month, respectively. Five three-bedroom apartments started at $5,500 but allare leased.
The property has an 18,500-square-foot clubhouse and offers programming such as cooking and fitness classes, concerts, and wellness events. Condo owners and renters have access to amenities that include a movie theater, a gym, tennis and pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor pools, and indoor golf.
Procida’s company announced last month that it had chosen Millstone Property Management to oversee operations at the apartment complex starting March 21. Millstone Property Management specializes in managing multifamily properties across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida.
The newest rental apartments at Plaza Grande at Garden State Park in Cherry Hill are reflected in the clubhouse pool on Aug. 5, 2025.
Delaware’s only Nordstrom store is set to close its doors next month.
The Christiana Mall location will shutter on April 30, the company confirmed in an email on Monday. The closure was reported over the weekend by the Delaware News Journal.
“We believe we’ll be best able to serve customers in the area by leveraging our surrounding stores and through our digital channels,” Nordstrom said in a statement.
The two-story, 123,000-square-foot department store opened in the Newark mall 15 years ago. The high-end retailer is one of four anchors alongside J.C. Penney, Macy’s, and Target.
Once Nordstrom closes, the nearest full-price location will be more than 30 miles away at the King of Prussia Mall. The company’s discount counterpart, Nordstrom Rack, operates a store nearby at the Christiana Fashion Center complex in Newark.
Nordstrom Rack in Center City is shown in 2018. Recently, the retailer has been expanding its off-price footprint.
The retailer has announced plans to open more than a dozen additional locations this year. They include Nordstrom Rack stores in the Main Street at Exton shopping center and at the Promenade at Granite Run in Media.
At the Christiana Mall, Nordstrom said it is “committed to taking care of our employees through this transition, including supporting those who are interested in finding another role within Nordstrom.” It did not say how many people would lose their jobs.
A search of Delaware’s online database of WARN Act notices, which are required in advance of closures and mass layoffs, did not yield any results.
Christiana Mall is billed by its owner, General Growth Properties (GGP), formerly Brookfield Property Partners, as “one of the most productive retail centers in the country.” The developers say that each year 10 million people visit the 1.2-million-square foot “tax-free shopping destination” that is home to more than 140 stores. Delaware has no state or local sales tax.
The Christiana Mall is shown in 2018. Its owners say 10 million people visit the Newark shopping destination each year.
A GGP spokesperson declined to comment on Nordstrom’s departure and said it was too soon to discuss what’s next for the space.
The news of the closure comes amid an uncertain time for the retail industry.
After decades in business, Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd is set to close next month after its parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In another segment of the retail industry, West Chester-based home shopping network QVC Group, according to a Bloomberg report, is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize billions in debt.
Chelsea Carriere, archaeologist with PS&S, grabs for a bucket while digging at Croft Farm.
Over the weekend, archaeologists unearthed pieces of the past as they excavated around the historic Croft Farm property. The dig, which was open to the public to view and part of a project to stop groundwater from entering the home’s basement, revealed artifacts dating back hundreds and thousands of years.
They provide clues to the site’s past, including as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and before that, asaplace where the Lenni-Lenape Indigenous peoplelived.
Animal bones and pieces of pottery will help archaeologists better understand eating habits and traditions of those who lived there, The Inquirer’s Brett Sholtis reports.
This week’s storm brought a lot of snow to the region, with totals varying widely thanks to heavy banding. While the National Weather Service didn’t report an official total for Cherry Hill, surrounding towns reported 14 to 16.5 inches. The bad news (for those who don’t like snow): There’s the potential for a little bit more today. The good news is that it’s unlikely the snow will stick around as long as it did with last month’s storm thanks to the warmer temperaturesand the extra daylight that late February brings.
Cherry Hill residents had a median household income of $121,500 between 2020 and 2024, according to the latest U.S. CensusAmerican Community Survey, which compiles self-reported income data over a five-year period. That’s up just about $2,000 from the last survey, looking at data from 2010 to 2014, and makes Cherry Hill the third-wealthiest town in Camden County.
Good news for pickleball players: Eight new public courts are in the works at two sites around town. The township is planning to build four courts with lightsat Beechwood Avenue and Route 38. The goal is to start construction this summer and have the courts ready by early fall. Meanwhile, Camden County is building four courts at the nearly 18-acre John Adler Memorial Park at Challenge Grove at the corner of Bortons Mill and Caldwell Roads. Construction on those courts is also expected to begin this summer and will add to the park’s existing sports facilities, including a softball field, and basketball and bocce courts.
The planning board is meeting Monday evening to hear public comment about an amendment to the township’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, which would amend its overall master plan if adopted. One change would allow for the site of the six-story office building at 3 Executive Campus to be redeveloped into residential or mixed-used buildings with between 39 and 64 affordable units. It would also allow for part of the 28.2-acre site’s land to be developed. See a draft of the amendment here.
A Cherry Hill man who pleaded guilty to child molestation after having a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old girl in Indianain 2021 was sentenced last week to three years in prison. Jonathan A. Trauger, 28, must also register as a sex offender for a decade after his release. (Courier Post)
📸 Cherry Hill residents dig out after the storm
Three generations of Cherry Hill residents, Julio Maldonado Sr., 79 (right), Julio Maldonado III, 19 (middle), and Julio Maldonado Jr., 49, (left), dug out the family’s car on Covered Bridge Road Monday. “We live together, play together, and work together,” Julio Maldonado Jr. said.
🏫 Schools Briefing
There are several school board committee meetings on Monday evening, which are open to the public. See the district’s full calendar here.
East girls’ swimming will take on Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School in the NJSIAA Team Swimming Championships this morning, after the event was postponed due to the weather. The meet will kickoff at 8:30 a.m. East defeated Passaic County Technical Institute 88-82 in group semifinals to claim its spot. As for the East boys’ swimming team, after making it to the semifinals, the Cougars fell to Hillsborough High 91.5-78.5. (NJ.com)
The NJSIAA girls’ basketball playoffs kick off this week, with both East and West competing. The West girls’ team will look to defend its state championship title in the first round of the Group 3 tournament on Friday at 3:45 p.m., hosting Cumberland Regional High School. Follow the results here and see the Lions’ full group bracket here. And East will take on Atlantic City High School tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. as part of the Group 4 tournament. See East’s full group bracket here.
Camden Catholic High School’s boys’ wrestling team captured its 20th state title on Sunday, defeating Pope John XXIII Regional High School 53-19. It now has the third-highest number of state titles among public and non-public teams. (Courier Post)
🍽️ On our Plate
Two Cherry Hill spots serve some of the best bagels in the state, according to a new ranking from NJ.com. Bagel Spot on Kings Highway landed at No. 18 on the list for its 24 types of bagels and 30 varieties of spreads, while K & A Bagel Cafe came in at No. 43. The Route 70 spot has 21 kinds of bagels and 18 spreads, including a honey cinnamon butter.
🎳 Things to Do
🎷 A Journey Through Jazz: Hear the Bradford Hayes Jazz Quartet perform. ⏰ Friday, Feb. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. 💵 $15 in advance, $20 at the door 📍Croft Farm Arts Center
☕ Bridgerton Handbuilding Workshop: Fans won’t want to miss this workshop, where you can make a teacup and saucer inspired by the popular Netflix show. ⏰ Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 $150 📍Hugs Ceramics
🍎 Holistic Health and Healing Expo: Learn about holistic wellness through lectures and workshops. You can also meet practitioners and shop for related goods. ⏰ Sunday, March 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 Free or $7.18 for VIP admission 📍DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia
✡️ Purim Carnival: Kids are encouraged to dress in costume for this event celebrating the Jewish holiday. There will be face painting, games, crafts, food, and drinks. ⏰ Sunday, March 1, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 💵 $20 per child 3 and older, free for adultsand children under 3📍Congregation Kol Ami
The home has a classic brick facade, a portico, and dormers.
Located in the Short Hills neighborhood, this brick-fronted home is full of classic elements, including a covered portico and dormers. Inside, there’s a two-story foyer, a formal living room with a gas fireplace, a formal dining room, a first-floor office, and a family room with a brick fireplace. The kitchen has a double oven, a separate bar area, and a dining area with vaulted ceilings and access to the deck. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a separate sitting area, a large walk-in closet, a jacuzzi tub, and two vanities. Other features include a finished basement with a full bathroom, a three-car garage, and a patio.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Dave Allen knows how to cultivate a winning culture.
With stops at Eastern and Cherry Hill West, Allen, now in his 13th season as the Cherry Hill East boys’ basketball coach, has amassed 400 career wins at the helm, earning 28 playoff victories and two Group IV championships in the process.
This year’s Cougars look like a direct extension of Allen’s winning ways.
East ended the regular season 21-3, winning seven of its eight Olympic Conference matchups. The Cougars are slated to host Toms River North (9-17, 3-7 Shore) in the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV Tournament on Thursday at 4 p.m.
The Cougars are looking to build off last season’s playoff run, in which they fell to Lenape, 48-47, in the Group IV championship — just a point away from raising their third championship banner in program history.
Allen, however, would be the first to say that this year’s team is different.
“Traditionally, we’ve always been a three-point shooting team,” Allen said. “We push in transition but also play some control-tempo basketball, but this year, we’ve been more of a pressing team, more of a team trying to play transition more so than we had in the past. At some points in the year, we were averaging over 70 points a game.”
Cherry Hill East junior Chris Abreu is averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds this season.
The catalyst for this change, Allen says, has been the team’s “really good guard play.”
This backcourt effort is led by junior Chris Abreu. The 6-foot-1 guard transferred to East after his freshman season at Paul VI and has been a constant triple-double threat. He’s averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds this season.
“We’re a fast-paced team,” Abreu said. “Push the ball a lot and push it in transition.
“I’m really excited for the playoffs, actually.”
Thursday will mark the second meeting between East and Toms River North this season. On Dec. 20, the Cougars trounced the Mariners, 91-38, behind Abreu’s triple-double (14 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds.)
Allen indicated that his team will look to key in on the Mariners’ Jake Greenberg. The sophomore guard is averaging 13.5 points and is known to get hot from deep.
“[Greenfield is] solid,” Allen added. “He was solid against us the first time, and he’s having a good year for them, so we’re going to have to try to keep up what we’re doing defensively.”
‘Reshift some things’
To start the season, Abreu had a running mate in sophomore Jamieson Young. Against the Mariners, Young totaled 23 points. The combo guard was the Cougars’ leading scorer, averaging 21.8 points through the team’s first 12 games.
However, on Jan. 17 against St. Rose, Jameson went to save the ball from going out of bounds, landing awkwardly on his right ankle, which he had previously tweaked in the summer. This time, it required surgery. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
“[Young] gave us a lot in terms of his ability on the floor,” Allen said “He was our secondary ball handler and also our leading scorer. … We had to then kind of reshift some things to make up for those 22 points [per game].”
Chris Abreu says East is a “fast-paced team” this season.
First, Allen’s eyes turned to Abreu, challenging the junior to take over the scoring load and “make people better” around him. He did just that, as East won five straight following Young’s injury.
“[The message was] to just stay focused, stay disciplined,” Abreu said. “It’s hard with injuries and us being hurt, but you’ve obviously just got to push through it.”
Allen also turned to senior guard Chris Delgado. The four-year starter scored a career-high 28 points in the Cougars’ first game without Young, while surpassing 1,000 career points in the process.
“The best thing I can say about [Delgado] is that he’s a kid we want our younger players to emulate. That’s it,” Allen said. “He’s a kid who is a program kid who sacrifices. All he wants to do is win.”
This year, Delgado is averaging 11.5 points, 1.5 assists, and 2.25 rebounds, while being tasked to guard the other team’s best player. The senior has seen two deep playoff runs with the Cougars: a Group IV semifinal loss in his freshman year and last year’s final loss.
Cherry Hill East senior Chris Delgado is averaging 11.5 points, 1.5 assists, and 2.25 rebounds this season.
This will be the senior captain’s final chance to earn a championship. Consistent messaging is important for Allen, but winning is not the only thing the coach wants his players to focus on.
“Win or lose, the process is what’s going to be lasting for players,” Allen said. “Even when you win, that’s not what’s lasting. … What happens is, when you win, you change the goalpost — you start thinking about competing again.”
To the casual observer, it’s just an L-shaped hole in the ground, about 40 inches deep, showing two distinct layers of dirt.
But to the archaeologists who dug the hole, it’s a portal into the past going back thousands of years.
Croft Farm is a national historic site. Its owners during the mid-1800s helped Black people escape from slavery. The farmhouse, outbuildings, and 80 acres of the farm are now owned by Cherry Hill Township, part of a recreational and educational space for the public.
The darker brown top layer of “silty sand” contains artifacts from the last 300 years, an era when both enslavers and those dedicated to emancipation lived on the site, according to Matt Kraemer, 27, an archaeologist from Summit, N.J.
Below it, the lighter-colored layer has revealed artifacts from a time when the Lenni-Lenape Indigenous people lived on the land along the Cooper River, in what is now Cherry Hill.
“It’s a very significant site for the fact that it has a Native American component, plus everything the Evans family left behind,” Kraemer said Saturday.
Alanna-Corinne Konkisre (center), 9, of Gloucester County, sifts through dirt to find artifacts at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill, N.J. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Croft Farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now an active archaeological site due to the farm’s role during the time of the Underground Railroad.
The Evans family was part of the Quaker religious movement, and like many area Quakers of the time, owners Thomas Evans and his son Josiah were part of the New Jersey Abolition Society, “a group that advocated an end to slavery and also helped to maintain the Underground Railroad,” according to a history of Croft Farm provided by Cherry Hill Township.
Matthew Tomaso, senior director of cultural resource practices at PS&S, speaks to a crowd of people before the start of an archeological dig at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill, N.J.m on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Croft Farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now an active archaeological site due to the farm’s role in the Underground Railroad.
The farm’s historical significance presents a great learning opportunity, said Matthew Tomaso, the archaeologist leading the project for PS&S, an architecture and engineering firm with a location in Warren Township.
A year ago, PS&S was brought in to oversee cultural resource management as the township sought to stop groundwater from entering the basement of the brick house on the property, Tomaso said.
That gave Tomaso and his team a chance to see what they might find that would shine a light on the property’s role as a station on the Underground Railroad.
Animal bones, pieces of pottery, and other artifacts help tell that story, Tomaso said, by showing the dietary patterns, habits, and traditions of the people living there at the time.
Nolan Arcinese (left) and Aaron Arcinese (right) look through dirt to find artifacts at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill, N.J., on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Croft Farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now an active archaeological site due to the farm’s role during the time of the Underground Railroad.
That includes previously enslaved people known to have lived there, such as Joshua Sadler, as well as others who worked and lived on the farm, he said. Sadler went on to found nearby Sadlertown, a Black settlement located in what is now Haddon Township.
What they learn could be especially important since the Underground Railroad was not well documented at the time it was in operation, due to the need to maintain secrecy, Tomaso said.
Mostly, though, they have found bones, said Chelsea Carriere, 29, an archaeologist who called herself “the bone lady.”
Carriere explained that she was looking closely at cow, pig, and bird bone fragments — and the ways the animals were butchered nearly 200 years ago.
To her, the rough cuts on the bones show that these animals likely were raised on the farm or hunted, and were likely butchered on-site, rather than through a butcher shop.
“They were doing it themselves, and that suggests lower socioeconomic status,” Carriere said. Her team is still in the early stages of examining the artifacts.
To her, some of the most amazing finds so far were discovered deeper down in the dirt and would date back 2,000 or more years. These include a piece of argillite that she surmised was a spear point, and a basalt biface, an ancient tool that would have been used for cutting.
“This is a really good site,” Carriere said.
It was also a great experience Saturday for learners of all ages who listened to demonstrations and, with archaeologists’ guidance, used a sifter to search for artifacts in the dirt.
“I love to know what people were doing hundreds of years ago,” said Cherry Hill resident Debbie Kilderry, 71, as she watched children sift the soil.
She came to the site with two artifacts she had obtained — a small porcelain container and a stone — hoping that the archaeologists might have insights into their origins. Tomaso’s professional analysis: She had a real arrowhead, likely from the American West, and a cup once used for coffee cream.
To Kilderry, it is exciting to connect with those who came before her.
“I’m excited to see what they were doing, because they were people just like us — just with different inconveniences.”
The Farm and Fisherman Tavern has a happy hour special.
Looking for a spot to score $3 tacos or $7 martinis? Luckily you don’t have to go very far, thanks to these eight restaurants’ happy hour deals.
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner has rounded up eight spots in and around Cherry Hill with happy hour offerings, including the nostalgia-inducing Steak 38, neighborhood bar Kaminski’s, and farm-to-table eatery Farm and Fisherman ($8 P.E.I. Mussels, anyone?).
Cherry Hill residential property taxes rose 5.23% from 2024 to 2025, according to new data from the state, outpacing the statewide average hike of 4.7%. The average household paid $9,874 in residential property taxes, which is slightly less than the statewide average of $10,570. The average Cherry Hill residence was valued at $227,125 in 2025, a 0.03% increase from 2024. (NJ.com)
Speaking of taxes, today is the extended deadline for residents to pay their tax bills for the first half of 2026.
The landmark former Cherry Hill Diner could soon be demolished after construction permits were recently filed for the site, which will make way for a new Tidal Wave Auto Spa. A second Tidal Wave is planned for 2301–2311 Route 70 West. Yet another carwash is in the works at 1507 Kings Highway North, where Speeders Car Wash is taking over the former Route 41 Car Wash. (42 Freeway and A View From Evesham)
Archaeologists working at Croft Farm have discovered evidence that the historic property was an active part of the Underground Railroad. A dig to assess the property ahead of planned drainage improvements has turned up cuts of meat and crockerypossibly used by people who moved through there. Residents can see the work up close this weekend (more on that below). (70 and 73)
The township is seeking feedback from residents 55 and older for its senior needs assessment. The survey, which is open through March 31, is part of a grant-funded study about how Cherry Hill can better support older residents, who make up about a third of the township’s population. Find the survey, which is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese, here.
Registration for the township’s spring programs is now open. Programs include yoga, cardio kickboxing, golf, painting, and dancing.
🏫 Schools Briefing
In case you missed it, the school district has decided against redrawing its elementary school boundaries to head off expected overcrowding in the coming years and instead is planning additions to Clara Barton Elementary School and Rosa International Middle School, which are anticipated to be the most impacted. The school board still has to approve the additions.
East’s boys’ and girls’ swim teams have advanced to the state semifinals after capturing their respective New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association sectional titles for South Jersey last week. The boys’ team defeated Gloucester County Institute of Technology 111-59, a victory that led to its 17th consecutive title. The girls’ team defeated Egg Harbor Township High School 91-79, marking the team’s second consecutive title. The boys’ semifinals take place today, with the girls’ slated for tomorrow. (NJ.com)
Mikado will ask the town zoning board this week for permission to turn its roughly 500-square-foot outdoor patio into an enclosed 10-seat bar and waiting area.
Indian Villa Restaurant reopened earlier this month in the Woodcrest Shopping Center, and introduced an updated menu featuring classic Indian dishes.
Looking for a great cup of soup? Hen Vietnamese Eatery has one of the best in the state, according to a new list from NJ.com.
🎳 Things to Do
Unearthing History: Archaeologists will be excavating part of the Croft Farm property, where 18th and 19th century artifacts, as well as earlier pieces of Native American history, have previously been found. The public can view the dig and ask questions at designated times. ⏰ Saturday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Croft Farm
🎹 A Time for Love: Vocalist and pianist Jay Daniels will perform some iconic love songs. Registration is required. ⏰ Saturday, Feb. 21, 2-3 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cherry Hill Public Library
❤️ Healthy Heart Big Fitness Event: Part of the JCC’s heart health programming for February, this event will take attendees through pilates and fitness dancing demonstrations, followed by snacks. The event is open to anyone 12 and older. ⏰ Sunday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 💵 $20 for members, $25 for non-members 📍Katz JCC
🥐 Black Girl Magic Drag Brunch: VinChelle is hosting this drag brunch, which features performances by Mz Peaches, Cyrus K. Stratton, and Samara LaNegrá. ⏰ Sunday, Feb. 22, 2:30-5 p.m. 💵 $19.03 📍Vera
⛸️ LGBTQ+ Skate Night: Head to WinterFest Cottage at Cooper River Park for skating, a DJ, food, drinks, and access to local resources for the LGBTQ+ community. Registration is encouraged. ⏰ Monday, Feb. 23, 6-8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cooper River Park
Located in the Springdale Crossing neighborhood, this four-bedroom home has a modern interior, including new flooring. It features a two-tone, two-story foyer, a dining room, an eat-in kitchen with a waterfall island and stainless steel appliances, plus living and family rooms. The family room has vaulted ceilings and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. All four bedrooms are upstairs, including the primary suite, which has a jacuzzi tub with a built-in sound system, and a walk-in closet. Other features include a finished basement and a fenced backyard. There are open houses Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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