The Maplewood Makos opened their 2026 summer swim season with a home win over Morris Township and an intense meet against the West Orange Wave.

Led by Head Coach Valerie Houghton in her second year, the team broke five pool records on June 29, including standout performances by Nola Meehan in the 100-yard individual medley and Leonor Genung in the 25-yard breaststroke.

Both the 13-and-over and 8-and-under relay teams set records with a time of 1:16.81.

The Makos edged Morris Township 292-272, celebrating with a playful coach dunk at the Maplewood Community Pool.

Although the team narrowly lost to West Orange at the Ginny Duenkel Pool under sweltering heat, they remain optimistic for upcoming meets against Madison, Verona, and West Orange.

Meanwhile, Maplewood anticipates the lively Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival on July 11-12 and the Gazebo Summer Concert Series later in July—uniting the community through sports and local culture.

The Maplewood community is mourning the passing of Jonathan Tiersten, longtime tennis director and integral part of Maplewood Community Services.

Tiersten, who died at age 60 at his Maplewood home in late April, brought enthusiasm and kindness to the local tennis courts each season.

At the May 5 Township Committee meeting, Missi Mancuso praised his rise from instructor to director, recalling how his motto, “focus is fun and fun is focus,” inspired athletes of all ages.

Locally, Tiersten was respected as a coach, friend, and a proud father to his 19-year-old son—even as many remembered him nationally for his 1983 film role in “Sleepaway Camp.”

The outpouring of grief highlights how deeply Tiersten touched lives through tennis and steadfast support for his students, leaving a legacy that will endure in Maplewood.

Why did the Maplewood Shout Outs admin go to the doctor?

Because they were feeling a little post-viral beefy!

🌞 Wednesday: The pick of the week—warm, sunny, and comfortable.

⛈️ Thursday & Friday: Hot, humid, with afternoon and evening thunderstorms possible. Some storms may produce heavy rain and localized flooding, so keep an eye on the forecast if you have outdoor plans.

🎶 Maplewoodstock Weekend (Saturday & Sunday):

• 🌤️ Warm with a mix of sun and clouds.
• Highs in the mid-80s.
• Overall great weather for spending time outdoors.

🔥 Looking Ahead: Early next week turns even hotter, with temperatures climbing into the upper 80s and low 90s. Stay hydrated if you'll be outside.

Perfect caption for Maplewood Shout Outs:

☀️ Maplewood Weather This Week 🌳

After a beautiful Wednesday, expect hot and humid conditions with chances for afternoon thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. The good news? Maplewoodstock weekend is looking warm and mostly dry—perfect for enjoying live music, food vendors, and time with family and friends.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and have a wonderful week, Maplewood! 💚🌤️

The 21st annual Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival returns to Memorial Park on July 11 and 12, 2026, promising a vibrant celebration at the heart of Maplewood.

With performances by 22 bands, including acclaimed headliners Lettuce and Anders Osborne, the festival spans genres from indie rock to soulful R&B for fans of all ages.

Art lovers will enjoy browsing over 50 local vendors, while a diverse range of 20 food stalls — including vegetarian and vegan choices — caters to every palate.

Families can relax in the lively Kid Zone and adults can unwind in the Beer Garden, ensuring everyone finds their place in the festivities.

Entirely volunteer-run, Maplewoodstock reflects the town’s deep community spirit and commitment to inclusivity.

This free event invites all to celebrate Maplewood’s creative energy and sense of togetherness.

"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

A swift, intense storm struck Maplewood and South Orange on July 3, unleashing widespread power outages, damaged property, and perilous road conditions from fallen trees and massive branches.

PSE&G has restored electricity to about 275,000 customers, though 22,000 remain without power as crews race to repair 255 damaged transformers and 240 toppled utility poles statewide.

South Essex Fire Chief Joseph Alvarez reported firefighters answered 44 emergency calls in one evening, battling fires from downed wires, assisting with trees that crashed onto homes and cars, and responding to two lightning strikes.

South Orange suffered the heaviest blow, particularly the Montrose area, experiencing most of the outages and significant tree loss.

Councilwoman Hannah Zollman’s own home was severely impacted, with vehicles trapped and property destroyed, though her family is safe.

Governor Mikie Sherrill activated emergency management to support local recovery as residents found brief solace in a vibrant double rainbow following the storm’s chaos.

Officials urge the public to stay vigilant and safe during ongoing cleanup.

Maplewood’s Fourth of July began with the lively 5K Run Through Maplewood, where early-morning runners and walkers supported Columbia High School athletes.

The scenic course wound through local streets, rewarding the first 220 registrants with commemorative T-shirts.

Soon after, families gathered for a festive bike parade from Ricalton Square, with children riding their creatively decorated bikes to Memorial Park North for refreshments.

Youngsters up to age 13 then dashed in the Kids Fun Run, cheered on by the SOMA Fox Running Club.

Afternoon events featured an adult softball game, spirited bingo, and a cheerful pet parade showing off pets in patriotic style.

Neighbors delighted in an ice cream eating contest hosted by the Maplewood Rotary Club before heading to Memorial Park South.

The celebration closed with DJ Jimmy’s music, a mayoral address, and a dazzling fireworks show, uniting the community in joy and pride.

Village Coffee 

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164 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, NJ
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