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STORIES

Our stories are all about the interesting people, places and things in Maplewood.

Read some here or page through our online issues.

AN UNCOMMON HOLIDAY TRADITION by Rick Gilman

ellencdonker

Nov 26, 20213 min read

AN UNCOMMON HOLIDAY TRADITION by Rick Gilman

Some might call it ingenious When I was 12 years old, my stepmom entrusted me with the job of watering our Christmas tree. Little did I...

BUILDING BRIDGES, AND SCHOOLS, IN AFRICA by Tia Swanson

ellencdonker

Nov 26, 20216 min read

BUILDING BRIDGES, AND SCHOOLS, IN AFRICA by Tia Swanson

Morrow Church looks to lessen the divides between rich and poor Like many congregations, Morrow United Methodist Church in Maplewood has...

FROM RUN-D.M.C. TO MAYIM BIALIK by Donny Levit

ellencdonker

Nov 26, 20216 min read

FROM RUN-D.M.C. TO MAYIM BIALIK by Donny Levit

Dr. Mike finds inspiration in his hardcore band life It all started about two decades ago when a Craigslist ad caught the eye of Mike...

ELEGANT AND IMPRESSIVE, YET SECRETLY SIMPLE by Olivia Mack McCool

ellencdonker

Nov 26, 20216 min read

ELEGANT AND IMPRESSIVE, YET SECRETLY SIMPLE by Olivia Mack McCool

A holiday centerpiece and irresistible cookies to match I just love the notion that so many of the foods we love (think boeuf bourguignon...

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR by Sara Courtney

ellencdonker

Nov 26, 20216 min read

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR by Sara Courtney

Creating some magic this season and organizing your life are not mutually exclusive As fall turns to winter, it’s time to turn our...

WHAT MATTERS THIS SEASON by Ellen Donker

ellencdonker

Nov 26, 20213 min read

WHAT MATTERS THIS SEASON by Ellen Donker

Honoring our traditions even as they shift As the holidays are upon us, I’m looking forward to any excuse to be with family and friends...

FROM THE NBA TO FULL-TIME WRITER by Ellen Donker

ellencdonker

Nov 26, 20215 min read

FROM THE NBA TO FULL-TIME WRITER by Ellen Donker

Ken Gagne’s memoir chronicles his youth, home and family Ken Gagne’s father had a lot of pithy sayings. They were nuggets of wisdom –...

ellencdonker

Oct 1, 20216 min read

THE SNOWBALL EFFECT by Tia Swanson

Changing the world, one child at a time Lorraine Kerry Barnett grew up poor in the Central Ward of Newark during the dark period that...

A COMMUNITY OF FURRY LOVE by Adrianna Donat

ellencdonker

Oct 1, 20215 min read

A COMMUNITY OF FURRY LOVE by Adrianna Donat

Rescuing pets in SOMA Christel Hyden knows fostering pets makes a difference. One of her success stories is about a group of adorable...

OHEB SHALOM WELCOMES NEW CLERGY TEAM by Malia Rulon Herman

ellencdonker

Oct 1, 20214 min read

OHEB SHALOM WELCOMES NEW CLERGY TEAM by Malia Rulon Herman

It’s all-female, but that’s beside the point Congregants of Oheb Shalom, a Conservative Jewish temple in South Orange, gathered this...

ellencdonker

Oct 1, 20213 min read

CHANGING COURSE by Sonya Kimble-Ellis

JESPY House embraces the challenge of virtual fundraising Since March of 2020, changing course has been the order of the day for many...

ellencdonker

Oct 1, 20215 min read

A BET LAUNCHES A CAREER by Ellen Donker

Now Sally Reaves makes history Sally Reaves is not one to turn down a challenge. Her friend Paulette, a corrections officer, found that...

THE NIGHT I ASKED THE WORLD TO SEND MY SUMP PUMP GOOD JUJU by Donny Levit

ellencdonker

Oct 1, 20213 min read

THE NIGHT I ASKED THE WORLD TO SEND MY SUMP PUMP GOOD JUJU by Donny Levit

Tropical storm Ida’s most unwelcome visit Do not underestimate the power of water. Best to respect and fear the wet stuff.” So said my...

ellencdonker

Aug 13, 20213 min read

THE JOBS OF SUMMER By Ellen Donker

They’ll have value past August This summer, my kids gave me a gift: All three of them found employment. I exhaled a big sigh of relief...

SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR HOUSE, WITH LOVE By Tami Steckler

ellencdonker

Jun 11, 20213 min read

SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR HOUSE, WITH LOVE By Tami Steckler

Thank you for these 21 years Dear House, I remember the first time I saw you. To be honest, I didn’t love you then. I thought your rooms...

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKING COLLEGE CLASSES? By Malia Rulon Herman

ellencdonker

Jun 11, 20215 min read

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKING COLLEGE CLASSES? By Malia Rulon Herman

Maplewood author Tina Kelley’s newest book demystifies an exciting new education model Imagine being able to complete the first two years...

ellencdonker

Jun 11, 20214 min read

A HOME FOR ALL SEASONS By Tia Swanson

While the pandemic raged, houses of faith reached out to their most vulnerable members In the months before the pandemic, Ben Hack, who...

IS BASEBALL CALLING MY NAME By Ellen Donker

ellencdonker

Jun 11, 20213 min read

IS BASEBALL CALLING MY NAME By Ellen Donker

I’m learning to read the signals It’s baseball season and I think this may be the year to throw myself into the sport. That’s what...

A YEAR OF HOME LOVE By Cassandra Ratkevich

ellencdonker

Mar 12, 20213 min read

A YEAR OF HOME LOVE By Cassandra Ratkevich

Positive domestic outcomes of a time of pandemic The Year I Didn’t Go to School by Giselle Potter was once a favorite bedtime picture...

ellencdonker

Mar 12, 20216 min read

NESTING COMFORTABLY by Carla Labianca

Residents take on projects to make their homes work better Here we are, spending way too much time lusting after the perfect rooms on...