history

STORIES

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

Read some here or page through our online issues.

A DIFFERENT VISION FOR THE WORLD by Tia Swanson

ellencdonker

Mar 12, 20225 min read

A DIFFERENT VISION FOR THE WORLD by Tia Swanson

The founder of Greenwood Gardens reflects on – and lives – the maxim that less is more A new billboard for the Turtle Back Zoo has gone...

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 HARLEM CULTURAL FESTIVAL GETS NOTICED DECADES LATER IN QUESTLOVE'S “SUMMER OF SOUL” Donny Levit

ellencdonker

Oct 1, 20217 min read

THE HARLEM CULTURAL FESTIVAL GETS NOTICED DECADES LATER IN QUESTLOVE'S “SUMMER OF SOUL” Donny Levit

Maplewood’s Lizzy McGlynn helps guide the film’s context August 15, 1969. You may not be able to remember the date, but you certainly...

TAKING ART – AND COMMUNITY – VIRTUAL By Tia Swanson

ellencdonker

Aug 13, 20214 min read

TAKING ART – AND COMMUNITY – VIRTUAL By Tia Swanson

The Newark Museum of Art not only survived the pandemic, it thrived As has become painfully apparent over the last several months, the...

MAKING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS SUSTAINABLE by Georgia Madiba

ellencdonker

Nov 27, 20206 min read

MAKING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS SUSTAINABLE by Georgia Madiba

How to map the road to eco gift-wrap and more When you’re a child, you aren’t able to understand and appreciate each layer of your...

ellencdonker

Aug 14, 20204 min read

A PLACE FOR SPACING OUT by Ellen Donker

Columbia High School’s astronomical observatory is restored Humanity has long been enthralled with observing the cosmos in an effort to...

ellencdonker

Jun 19, 20205 min read

COMMUNITY HUB by Linda Beck

The Post Office is your social headquarters These days, the trek to the post office and the infamously long, slow line at the window are...

ZOOM AND THE ART OF ONLINE KARATE by Donny Levit

ellencdonker

Jun 19, 20206 min read

ZOOM AND THE ART OF ONLINE KARATE by Donny Levit

Shihan Durand Howard earns a new belt for distance learning On a late weekday afternoon in May, 6-year-old Aila Harris grabs onto her...

TEN DECADES OF MAPLEWOOD "SCOUTS' HONOR" by Adrianna Donat

ellencdonker

Jun 19, 20205 min read

TEN DECADES OF MAPLEWOOD "SCOUTS' HONOR" by Adrianna Donat

Troop 5 celebrates a century of service and leadership For as long as anyone can remember, the mayor of Maplewood has attended the Eagle...

UNDERSTANDING A DIFFICULT PAST by Gail Robyn Safian

ellencdonker

May 1, 20205 min read

UNDERSTANDING A DIFFICULT PAST by Gail Robyn Safian

A community celebrates African American history and freedom Revisiting history is important. It helps us understand our past as well as...

A DRONE'S-EYE VIEW OF MAPLEWOOD AND BEYOND by Donny Levit

ellencdonker

Nov 21, 20195 min read

A DRONE'S-EYE VIEW OF MAPLEWOOD AND BEYOND by Donny Levit

Mason Levinson’s photography maps out our dynamic landscape On a bone-chillingly cold day in December 2016, Mason Levinson made his way...

ellencdonker

Oct 3, 20193 min read

LUCK AND HARD WORK by Ellen Donker

Ellen Davenport reflects on a life in politics Ellen Davenport makes it seem easy. Lucky for Maplewood, Essex County and the state, she...

FROM THE CHS ARCHIVES: FORMER FIRST LADY ADDRESSES COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS by Carol Petrallia

ellencdonker

Mar 22, 20193 min read

FROM THE CHS ARCHIVES: FORMER FIRST LADY ADDRESSES COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS by Carol Petrallia

Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of the United States, First Delegate to the United Nations, author, and activist, spoke to students,...