ORANGE — A gospel festival was held on Saturday, June 29, in Monte Irvin Park. The event featured the Bethel Baptist Church Choir, pictured at upper right; Dawn Bowles, above left; and Charles Barner, above center. Also singing were the Cross and Crown Christian Church Choir and the St. Mathew AME Church Choir. The event […]
Ralph Conte, Bloomfield’s first Democrat mayor, died April 6, in Hamburg. He was 94 years old. Conte led the 1962 charge against the rock-ribbed Republican council, sweeping into power with Joseph Barry, Richard West and Vincent Rospond. The election gave the Democrats a council majority for the first time. Conte did not run for reelection. […]
SOUTH ORANGE — The Meadowland Park Conservancy hosted Star Spangled South Orange on Saturday in the park. The event included music from the South Orange Symphony, the Studio 509 Dancers, and a Sloppy Joe eating contest won by Scott Egelberg with second place going to William Cho and third to Michael Schvarzzian.
With Independence Day upon us, adults at the Glen Ridge Community Pool were recently asked what children should know about the Fourth of July. Nicole Solano said she discussed the Revolutionary War with her oldest child and that America was celebrating its freedom from England. “I used to work for a British company and I […]
Columbia High School Principal Frank Sanchez was reinstated to his position last week after a tumultuous six months that saw him arrested on assault and child endangerment charges only to have them dropped after a grand jury hearing. The South Orange and Maplewood School District Board of Education voted 6 to 1 with two abstentions […]
Glen Ridge High School held its commencement the evening of June 18, at Hurrell Field. Because of the intense heat of the day, the students, dressed in their traditional formal wear, got into line at the far end of the field, where it was shaded. Then, to “Pomp and Circumstance,” proceeded through the balloon threshold, […]
If there was ever a principal proud of a graduating class, it was Vincent Stallings. Stallings has been the principal of East Orange STEM Academy for the past six years—and he couldn’t contain his excitement for Class of 2024. During his powerful speech, he got offstage and went straight into the audience to continue, where […]
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. […]
The Class of 2024 made the walk onto Mathews Field at the Irvington Athletic Complex for graduation ceremonies on June 19. The traditional playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” followed a musical prelude led by music teacher Matthew Peterson Jr. The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Color Guard presented the flag before “The Star Spangled Banner” […]
Bloomfield High School held its 170th commencement on the evening of June 20, at Foley Field. There were 493 names listed in the program. Principal Christopher Jennings, in keeping with BHS tradition, kept his remarks short leaving what remained to be said to the class president, the salutatorian and the valedictorian. And there were moments […]