Snake, gecko and turtle pay a visit to the library

Snake, gecko and turtle pay a visit to the library

A leopard gecko, a ball python, and a box turtle were recent guests at the Maplewood Memorial Library. Courtesy of Turtle Back Zoo, animal ambassadors, educators Danielle Hoffman and Crystal Chapman and docent Christiane Noll introduced 30 attendees to the three different animals from the zoo. This program was part of the Summer Reading series. […]

WOHS graduate awarded ‘Future Female Leader’ scholarship

WOHS graduate awarded ‘Future Female Leader’ scholarship

Olivia Raymond was awarded a Future Female Leader scholarship by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). “It feels amazing!” said Raymond, who graduated from West Orange High School last month. The $1,000 NSHSS scholarship recognizes young women who are leaders in the schools and communities, empowering them to become mentors for the young […]

West Orange celebrates independence

West Orange celebrates independence

It was a festive Independence Day Celebration at Rooney Circle. There were 13 food trucks, live music, a DJ, and a kid’s zone with inflatables and a bubble machine. Carnaby Street Band entertained the crowd with classic rock hits like “Runaway,” “Time of the Season,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” and “It’s So Easy.” Later in the day […]

Durand-Hedden House hosts its Juneteenth celebration

The Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association and The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race recently celebrated Juneteenth at Grasmere Park. Activities included historical reenactors, learning about the history of enslaved people in New Jersey, musical performances, and African dancing. Children enjoyed face painting, crafts, storytelling, Nubian quilters, and an art exhibit featuring local Black artists. […]

Two inducted into CHS Hall of Fame

Two inducted into CHS Hall of Fame

One was a renowned journalist and entrepreneur. The other is an acclaimed saxophonist, keyboardist, vocalist, composer, and producer. The late Ayesha K. Faines, Class of 2004, and Michael C. Ghegan, Class of 1986, were recently inducted into the Columbia High School Hall of Fame. Monica Soliman, CHS teacher of social studies, welcomed attendees to the […]

Temple draws attention to hostages with super-sized milk carton

Temple draws attention to hostages with super-sized milk carton

More than 300 people recently gathered on the front lawn of the B’nai Shalom temple on Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange for the unveiling of a nine-foot tall, 300 pound milk carton with images of hostages. The milk carton with pictures of hostages held by Hamas mimics the advertisements of missing children that were […]

Best selling author visits bookstore

Best selling author visits bookstore

Bess Kalb is an Emmy Award-nominated writer for the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” television show and a journalist with The New Yorker magazine. She’s also the author of the best seller “Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A True Story.” She recently was at Words Bookstore in Maplewood, reading from her new children’s book, “Buffalo […]