Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How 31 local Girl Scout troops turned stuffed animals into holiday magic

Spotted on the Maplewood calendar: Art of Living Part 1 Program in the presence of Gurudev

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Friday December 19th Patch AM
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Good morning Maplewood! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How 31 local Girl Scout troops turned stuffed animals into holiday magic
  • How much Maplewood schools get to lock away student phones
  • How Maplewood’s gas-blower ban changes your winter cleanup plans

Also on today's calendar: Art of Living Part 1 Program in the presence of Gurudev and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Windy; heavy morning rain, with a high of 57 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; colder, temps: high: 38, low: 32.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and windy, with a high of 46 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. South Orange-Maplewood Girl Scouts Design A Very Beary Holiday Season (villagegreennj.com) — Maplewood and South Orange Girl Scouts just wrapped up their annual Teddy Bear giveaway, decorating a record 432 stuffed animals and 179 toy dogs for children served by regional nonprofits. Local Maplewood coordinators highlight how the long-running project builds empathy, creativity, and community spirit among girls from 31 troops across both towns.
   

2. N.J. is paying schools to ban cellphones in classrooms. See if your district is on the list. (nj.com subscription) — South Orange–Maplewood schools are receiving about $28,000 from New Jersey’s new Phone-Free Schools Grant Program to tighten bell-to-bell cellphone bans for grades 6–12. The funding can support secure storage like pouches or lockers and staff training, as part of a statewide push to reduce classroom distractions and standardize phone rules across districts.
   

3. What hours are you allowed to use a snowblower in NJ? It depends (northjersey.com) — Maplewood residents should know the town has fully banned gas-powered blowers, so even generally allowed snowblower hours elsewhere in New Jersey may not apply the same way here. This statewide overview explains how local noise ordinances set the rules, highlights stricter examples in several towns, and shows how some communities are turning to electric equipment to cut noise and pollution.
   

4. Coalition on Race Details the Past, Looks to the Future on School Integration (villagegreennj.com) — Maplewood residents can now watch a detailed community presentation on the South Orange-Maplewood school district’s Intentional Integration Initiative, tracing local integration efforts from the 1980s to today. Speakers from the Community Coalition on Race and school leaders explain why the plan matters, address myths, and discuss what true, ongoing, intentional integration means for Maplewood families and classrooms.
   

📸 Around Maplewood

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Maplewood

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📣 Maplewood Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday December 19
  • Basketball: Boys Freshman vs. Hudson Catholic (Away)
    Hudson Catholic Regional High School , 790 Bergen Ave , Jersey City
    4:00 pm
  • Camuso Holiday Display
    Memorial Oval & Park , Robert H. Harp Drive , Livingston
    5:00 pm
  • Wrestling: Boys JV vs. Verona (Home)
    Livingston High School FWC Gym
    5:30 pm
  • Basketball: Boys JV vs. Hudson Catholic (Away)
    Hudson Catholic Regional High School , 790 Bergen Ave , Jersey City
    5:30 pm
  • Opening Reception: The Soul Of Folks at Newark ArtSpace
    Newark ArtSpace , 355 Broad Street , Newark
    6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Available Caregiver (Private Only)
    License HHA Caregiver  for Weekends .Are you looking for a dedicated, compassionate,joyful Caregiver for your  loved ones. I  am responsible, clean... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Reports of suspicious package at Newark Penn Station, New Jersey.
    9:24AM on Dec 18: PATH Train reports NWK-WTC delay due to crew finding an unattended package at NWK. (Nextdoor )
  • Irvington Public Schools posted a job opening for Elementary Teacher (K-5) in Irvington. Apply here.
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Kitchen Production Line Team Member in Irvington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Maplewood here.

Ok Maplewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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