ellencdonker
MOM COMPARISON: THE NEXT GENERATION by Olivia Mack McCool
Peeking behind the Instagram curtain If you type my name into Instagram, what you’ll be presented with are many little colorful squares...
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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.
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ellencdonker
Oct 6, 20226 min read
CIRCLES OF SISTERHOOD by Tami Steckler
A duo helps women glow, grow and build community Women like to gather. Not in the traditional hunter-gatherer paradigm, but gather...
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
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, 20211 min read
BETTER TOGETHER by Ellen Donker
Introducing the SOMA Chamber of Commerce Two local organizations have made history. The Maplewood Chamber of Commerce and the South...
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, 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
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...
ellencdonker
Aug 13, 20212 min read
MAKE ART. LEAVE ART. TAKE ART. By Ellen Donker
Maplewood resident creates a new kind of art gallery As an art therapist, Beth VanDusen is always creating. Having seen many of the Free...
ellencdonker
Aug 13, 20213 min read
MY VINYL LIFE WITH THE STEREO KIDS By Donny Levit
After too many months of online learning, here’s how our family went analogue again I admit this sounds like a plot point right out of a...
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, 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
Jun 11, 20216 min read
ACCIDENTAL BOOK MEETS ACCIDENTAL PUBLISHER By Tia Swanson
A serendipitous SOMA pairing of a writer, a month, and a press About 10 years ago, Pamela Erens was a bit stuck. Her first novel,...
ellencdonker
Mar 12, 20214 min read
TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF EEGS AND EPILSEPSY by Malia Rulon Herman
A teacher in search of a book ends up writing her own When the doctor told Danielle Perrotta that her daughter, Bella, would need to have...
ellencdonker
Mar 12, 20215 min read
VOLUNTEERS HELP PRESERVE OUR HISTORIC GREEN SPACES By Adrianna Donat
You can thank the Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy Each day people stroll through and enjoy the pristine natural beauty of Memorial...
ellencdonker
Nov 27, 20206 min read
WHAT REALLY MATTERS by Elaine Durbach
Reflecting on a storied 30 years We could have been very confused. For my husband and me, coming from Park Slope and knowing only one...
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