Seth Boyden School inaugurates outdoor classroom

Seth Boyden School inaugurates outdoor classroom

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — After two decades of gradually transforming its backyard into a vibrant outdoor learning center, Seth Boyden Elementary School in Maplewood inaugurated the final and most highly anticipated phase of the project: an open-air classroom bordered by an art nook, a performance area and a large habitat garden — a space that the […]

South Orange honors SAGE Eldercare for 50 years of Meals on Wheels

South Orange honors SAGE Eldercare for 50 years of Meals on Wheels

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange presented a proclamation on Sept. 12 to congratulate SAGE Eldercare for its Meals on Wheels 50th anniversary. SAGE serves approximately 44,000 meals to nearly 250 clients annually in 10 communities, including South Orange. SAGE Eldercare began its Meals on Wheels in October 1966 with funding received from the Summit […]

SOMA Board of Ed candidates debate to be moderated by DeLuca, Collum

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange-Maplewood Cares About Schools will hold a South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education candidates debate on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Baird Center, 5 Mead St. in South Orange. The debate will be co-moderated by South Orange Village President Sheena Collum and Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca and will […]

TSTI hosts ‘summer soiree,’ discusses women’s growing role in politics, global leadership

TSTI hosts ‘summer soiree,’ discusses women’s growing role in politics, global leadership

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, the Reform synagogue in South Orange, was the stage for an evening of conversation and socializing at the Women’s Connection Summer Soiree on July 20. Members heard from New Jersey State Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and South Orange Village President Sheena Collum, the panelists for “Women’s Changing Roles in […]

First step taken in merging FDs

Two towns contract for study of fire departments for possible merger

First step taken in merging FDs

MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The possible future of shared fire department services between Maplewood and South Orange is a credible option following the unanimous agreement by the governing bodies of both towns to award a contract to Manitou Inc. to conduct “an analysis of the operational efficiencies of and the feasibility of consolidation, […]

South Orange and Maplewood award contract for fire services study

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On July 11, the South Orange Board of Trustees unanimously authorized a resolution awarding a contract to Manitou Incorporated to conduct “an analysis of the operational efficiencies of and the feasibility of consolidation, merger or sharing of South Orange and Maplewood’s Municipal Fire Protection Services.” Then, on July 25, […]

SOMA residents celebrate varied cultures at XRootsFest

SOMA residents celebrate varied cultures at XRootsFest

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race celebrated its 20th anniversary in the two towns and the many cultures here with XRootsFest at Flood’s Hill on July 16. The festival included art performances featuring many different cultures, booths selling handmade crafts that reflected the heritages of the vendors, and a zone for […]

SO budget to up taxes by 1.9 percent

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Board of Trustees introduced the preliminary 2016 budget at its June 27 meeting. This budget will raise property taxes for the municipality by 1.9 percent. Municipal taxes are only part of South Orange’s property taxes, with Essex County and the South Orange-Maplewood School District taking the lion’s share. […]

Residents gather for Orlando shooting vigil

Residents gather for Orlando shooting vigil

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Tuesday, June 14, hundreds of residents from South Orange, Maplewood and the surrounding area joined political leaders, members of the clergy and activist groups in a vigil outside the South Orange Fire Department Headquarters to show support for the city of Orlando, Fla., and all affected by the June 12 […]

SOMAsian potluck draws large crowd

SOMAsian potluck draws large crowd

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Saturday, June 4, South Orange Village President Sheena Collum hosted a community Asian-themed backyard potluck for SOMAsian members that drew more than 120 adults and children. SOMAsian is a Facebook group created by SOMA residents Vic Calle, Chris Stetson and Andrew Lee. Photos Courtesy of Sheena Collum