As we come to the end of 2025 and look forward to the new year, here’s a look back at Cinnaminson’s top stories.
“As NJ Transit assumes full operation of the River LINE, we felt it was necessary to bring leadership back before the public to share its improvement plan and outline any progress made since our last meeting,” said state Sen. Troy Singleton, who hosted a meeting on the line.
River LINE update
In efforts to “strengthen and enhance the future” of the River LINE light rail system, NJ Transit has assumed all responsibility for the operation of the service by the end of the year.
NJ Transit and Alstom – the current River LINE operator – released a joint statement about changes that began on Sept. 3.
“NJ Transit and Alstom are committed to providing safe and reliable service for our customers on the River LINE,” the statement noted, adding that the two agencies have worked closely together to assess the line’s conditions.
“This mutually agreed decision reflects the evolving investment needs of the service,” the statement added, “which have grown beyond the current scope of Alstom’s contract covering River LINE operations and maintenance. This transition will enable NJ Transit to be best positioned to shape and implement the next steps that will strengthen and enhance the future of the service.”
The River LINE runs along Cinnaminson and 10 stations in the county: Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, Florence, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Beverly, Delanco, Edgewater Park, Delran, Riverside, Riverton and Palmyra.
A second public meeting was hosted by state Sen. Troy Singleton on Nov. 13 to discuss River LINE service reliability, accountability, communication and safety. NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri was in attendance.
Enjoying the 23rd annual block party on Georgian Drive in Cinnaminson on Sept. 13 were the 2025 organizers, including Patrick and Bridget Sherlock, Rachel and Jordan Miller, Rich and Noreen Sommerkon and Jenn and Ed McGowen.
The party goes on
Turning right onto Georgian Drive in Cinnaminson from Wayne Drive, visitors get to see a lovely, winding suburban street with beautiful homes and manicured lawns in the heart of Cinnaminson Township.
On a beautiful, sunny Sept. 13, the street’s 200 block was closed off with a “road closed” sign – for an annual party.
Beyond the sign children were happy and screaming while descending down a huge water slide into a pool of water. A little farther up the street people were knocking their neighbors into the cool water at the dunk tank.
Adults were gathered under a large tent surrounded by grills that were cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs and more for everyone, who came by with coolers of cold beverages close by. Mr. Softee even made a visit, providing a delicious treat enjoyed by children and adults alike.
“This is the 23rd year in a row for the block party,” Patrick Sherlock said.
He; his wife, Bridget; and neighbors Rachel and Jordan Miller, Rich and Noreen Sommerkon and Jenn and Ed McGowen organized the annual event in 2025 for the first time. The four families were doing the work of one man, Vince Pagliaro, who came up with the idea for the party 23 years ago and has planned them ever since.
“I felt growing up, I always lacked a positive peer mentor,” Charnae Payne said. “So I wanted to be that figure that I kind of did not have.” She was crowned National United Miss in July.
National United Miss
Charnae Payne is traveling around the country as National United Miss after being crowned in July at the International United Miss competition in Orlando.
Payne competed in the United Miss state pageant, where she earned the title of Ms. New Jersey. She competed for the International United Miss title and came in as a runner-up, and this year, she aged into a new division and won the national title of Ms. Garden State.
Payne is 26 and is a 2017 graduate of Cinnaminson High who attended Wagner College in Staten Island and pursued degrees in biology and public health. For her community service, Payne works with local food banks, including the South Jersey Food Bank in Pennsauken.
“My parents always instilled in me to give back in any facet that I can,” she acknowledged. “I also personally have my own platform, Fuze Your F.I.R.E., encouraging young girls into the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and entertainment.
“I felt growing up, I always lacked a positive peer mentor,” Payne added. “So I wanted to be that figure that I kind of did not have. In college, I started doing that more for incoming students that were just starting and had no clue what they wanted to do career wise.”
John Howard Hunter, owner of Hunter’s Farm & Market in Cinnaminson, died on Aug. 3 at the age of 77.
A farming legend
With the tragic loss of their patriarch on Aug. 3, brother and sister John and Amy Hunter Zorn essentially hit the fields and farmer’s markets – just as John Howard Hunter would have wanted.
The 77-year-old suffered fatal injuries as a result of a machinery accident. Police, fire and medical responders were dispatched to his Cinnaminson farm on Union Landing Road at about 10:16 a.m., according to a release from township police.
The department announced three days later that its investigation pointed to an accidental death. To respect the family’s privacy, no further information was provided.
Hunter was a lifelong township resident who passed suddenly doing what he loved, working on the family farm, according to his obituary. The Palmyra High School graduate was born in 1948 to Marjorie and Russell H. Hunter and lived his entire life on the farm. Love for his family and friends was most important, and he shared his passion for the outdoors and farming knowledge with his children and grandchildren.
Hunter ensured that Hunter’s Farm and its market were preserved, and the family continues to operate the business.
Damian Friebel had one of the best championship meets on record in the recent Boys 8&U, winning all eight of his individual races.
‘Okay, just swim’
Damian Friebel is a kid who’s always been on the move.
Just ask his parents, Damian T. and Allison Friebel, who’ve always steered his energy into positive activities.
“Damian has always strived to be fast, even from a very young age,” Allison recalled. “He wants to go fast in everything he does … bike riding, roller skating, running and especially swimming … He’s always looking for a race.”
So, it’s not surprising that Damian went into the two-day Middle Atlantic Swim Championship in March to win. The Jersey Wahoos host the championship at Gloucester County Technical Institute in Sewell, the capstone of the winter swim season.
And although Damian’s nerves did kick in before his first race, they quickly went away once he picked up his first gold.
“Once I won, I said, ‘OK, just swim,’” he recounted.
Swimming with the Mount Laurel YMCA Pheonix, Damian had one of the best championship meets on record in the Boys 8&U, winning all of his individual races: the 25-meter butterfly, 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter butterfly, 25-meter breast, 100-meter breast, 50-meter back and 100-meter back.
He also participated in two 100-meter relays swimming the breaststroke. One relay garnered first place, and in one relay, the team came in third.
