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