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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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SIP, SCULPT, AND SOCIALIZE By Adrianna Donat
These third spaces make SOMA feel like home L-R: Students at Indigo Road Studio Pottery; delectable treats at The Able Baker; the patio...
Adrianna Donat
Nov 29, 20246 min read


A CHILDREN’S BOOK CELEBRATES A SCHOOL, A LEGEND AND A WAY OF BEING IN THE WORLD By Tia Swanson
The story of Far Brooks One and Two There are two Far Brooks. One is the 75-year-old bastion of progressive education that occupies 9½...
Tia Swanson
Nov 29, 20246 min read


MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT By Claire Berrios
Holiday beverages for a merry season The holidays are upon us, and you know what that means – family, friends, festivities and perhaps a...
Claire Berrios
Nov 29, 20242 min read

HAVING FUN WITH ASTROLOGY By Ellen Donker
I’m a Leo. What’s your sign? I don’t remember exactly when I learned that my zodiac sign was Leo, but it was probably sometime in...
ellencdonker
Oct 11, 20243 min read


CONNECTING ARTISTS WITH THEIR COMMUNITY By Ellen Donker
Studio Tour SOMA returns for its 21st year Judy Targan creates "fantasy landscapes" with oil paints on wood; Kennis Baptiste specializes...
ellencdonker
Oct 11, 20246 min read


THE ULTIMATE PLAY-DATE By Adrianna Donat
Nurturing young talent and community spirit through theater in SOMA Charlotte Boerger and Oona Girton Marshall are children of SOMA. Both...
Adrianna Donat
Oct 11, 20244 min read


MAJOR MAKEOVER IN MAPLEWOOD By Rose Bennett Gilbert. Photos by Julia Maloof Verderosa
Downsizing upgrades family’s homelife Imagine the big smile on Beethoven’s face if he’d driven down Ridgewood Road in Maplewood early...
Rose Bennett Gilbert
Oct 11, 20246 min read


FALLING WITH PURPOSE By Amy Lynn-Cramer
Melanie Curtis turns fear into fuel and inspires others to take the leap When Melanie Curtis was 18, she jumped out of an airplane with a...
Amy Lynn-Cramer
Oct 11, 20245 min read


GATHERING AUTUMN’S APPLES By Ilysse Rimalovski
Essential Apple Crisp When I feel a hint of fall in the breeze, I am reminded that the time is ripe for apple picking. I can already...
Ilysse Rimalovski
Oct 11, 20243 min read


MOVING INTO ADULTHOOD By Maribeth Theroux
When a new apartment marks a new phase of life I moved to SOMA in the fall of 2020. My husband, my 10-month-old daughter and I made our...
Maribeth Theroux
Oct 11, 20243 min read


THE GIRL NO ONE LISTENED TO By Cindy Perman
South Orange resident pens an inspiring book about a 12-year-old fossil hunter A lot of kids like to search for treasures such as shells...
Cindy Perman
Oct 11, 20244 min read


LEFT. LEFT. LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT By Ellen Donker
The Maplewood Junior Police Academy instills teamwork and promotes relationships Fresh out of school for the year, 25 recruits in yellow...
ellencdonker
Aug 15, 20243 min read


HONORING A BELOVED DAUGHTER, SISTER AND FRIEND By Ellen Donker
Tennis tournament raises funds for epilepsy support Laura Holtz; 2023 tournament winners L-R: Rjay Basco, Seth Manjos, Mark Bochner, Eric...
ellencdonker
Aug 15, 20244 min read


UNCERTAIN FUTURES, UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS By Miles House
How high schoolers are using a simple phrase to redefine fashion I t all began with a simple order. Van Girton-Marshall’s father...
Miles House
Aug 15, 20243 min read


SO, YOU WANT TO PLAY PICKLEBALL? By Cindy Perman
Here's how to get started Pickleball is everywhere. You probably have a friend – or several – who plays it. And it’s such a social sport...
Cindy Perman
Aug 15, 20246 min read


SATISFYING SNACKS FOR YOUR FAMILY Words and Photography by Ilysse Rimalovski
Loaded waffle tacos are fun and filling An ideal after-school snack is nutrient dense , balanced and filling. Preschoolers and teens need...
Ilysse Rimalovski
Aug 15, 20243 min read


EMPOWERING COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH COMMUNITY SUPPORT By Adrianna Donat
Cougar Boosters celebrates 50 years For 50 years, the Cougar Boosters has been a cornerstone of support for Columbia High School (CHS) in...
Adrianna Donat
Aug 15, 20244 min read


A PRESCHOOL CELEBRATES A HALF CENTURY OF PLAYING By Tia Swanson
Morrow Preschool leans into teaching kids to be kids It was a modest beginning. When Morrow Memorial Preschool opened its doors in the...
Tia Swanson
Aug 15, 20246 min read


A JOURNEY OF SCIENCE AND PASSION By Adrianna Donat
Bianca Silver’s path to teaching at Columbia High School A former teacher with a significant career as a geochemist in the corporate...
Adrianna Donat
Aug 15, 20245 min read


OUTSIDE LOOKING IN By Henry Cooper
Exploring the value of being a quiet person The following college essay was inspired by attending a story slam hosted by CTK College...
Henry Cooper
Aug 15, 20243 min read
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