| Author | Message | ||
     Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7078 Registered: 5-2001 |
John: Welcome to MOL. Try browsing through Please Help and the Maplewood and South Orange sections of the board for general information about our two towns. Then post any questions you may have regarding the area that haven't already been asked and answered by others. | ||
| John Nance Citizen Username: Johnnance Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2006 |
Hi Joan. Thanks for the suggestions. I saw a lot of discussion - some of it seemed pretty acrimonious - about the pros and cons of both towns. The word 'war zone' was tossed in pretty cavalierly about Springfield Avenue. Not sure what to make of that. The bottom line I suppose is that the two towns seem nice to us, and we have options on where we would settle. What sections of the two do people live in? It seems that there are CLEAR divides by the railroad tracks. What are the advantages/disadvantages of say the Tuscan area, as opposed to nearer Prospect St, or West of the tracks (Ridgewood/Wyoming?) How do you stack your community up against other nearby towns (Westfield, Madison, Cranford)? | ||
| Jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 282 Registered: 1-2006  |
John Nance, The hardest thing about being a new reader of MOL, is descriminating the different voices. It reads like a continuous text, but there are some jackasses thrown in. People who call Springfield Ave a "war zone" qualify. Hey, jump in feet first and start a thread looking for transplanted Californians and get their opinion (and everyone else's.) Welcome and good luck house hunting, J.B. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7080 Registered: 5-2001 |
Jersey Boy is right when he says that there are some differences of opinion on MOL regarding certain issues concerning schools, crime (our statistics are very low compared to the rest of the country), development, advantages /disadvantages of each neighborhood etc. (By the way Tuscan Road and Prospect Street intersect so I'm not sure what you mean about the advantages of one of those "neighborhoods" vs the other. What I have also noticed is that some people posting about local issues are apt to use sarcasm and/or hyperbole, neither of which is easy to discern if you are an outsider. Agree with Jersey Boy's advice that you just jump in with your specific questions and see what answers you get but try to weigh those answers by considering their tone and the reaction of other posters to some of these opinions. | ||
| John Nance Citizen Username: Johnnance Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2006 |
Joan: first, thanks for responding. And I do thank you for the geography lesson. I am not a green-bean about the ways of the internet (e.g., flame wars, hyperbole, Godwin's Law), so I can apply the appropriate filters when reading the comments. But, I do need some frame through which to interpret comments about police squadrons at the local secondary school, 'war zones,' (I know it's not a war zone, but that the comment implies a certain lack of, what's the word? quiet? Safety?) inter alia. We live near San Francisco, so there are certain things we are accustomed to. Good schools most assuredly is not one of them (our schools here are among the poorest quality in the country). And, given that here, an undeveloped, 1/4 acre parcel of land sells for 1.5 million dollars, everything in the area looks more or less like a bargain. So, I suppose the direct questions I would ask from people are: What is the over-all crime profile of the different neighbourhoods? How about the local elementary schools - which one is considered the most academically rigourous? Do you consider it better to live in SO or in Maplewood and why? West or east of the train line? We are active in our local Catholic church - which church, if any, do people attend? How about a good quality supermarket? We are looking at a few homes near the 'Reservation,' along the Ridgewood Rd, north of West Orange Blvd near Grove Park, and in the 'Tuscan' area. There is obviously some variance in price - so any comments on the pros and cons of these areas is appreciated. | ||
| Jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 294 Registered: 1-2006 |
John, Copy that and paste it in to "Please Help." Nobody comes here. Then, stand back. Jersey Boy | ||
| Madhu Pai Citizen Username: Mpai Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2006 |
Hi all. We [my husband, 18mo daughter and I] will be moving to Maplewood at the end of March. Part of the Brooklyn [Park Slope] migration to Maplewood/SO. We're very excited to be part of the community. I recall seeing something about a newcomers meeting - does this happen monthly? Best, Madhu | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7089 Registered: 5-2001 |
Madhu Pai: Newcomers Club has a general meeting monthly (during the school year, I don't believe they meet during the summer) and a wide variety activities scheduled for each month. Scroll up and click on the Newcomers link Phil posted to this thread for more information about that organization. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7090 Registered: 5-2001 |
John: Follow Jersey Boy's suggestion about posting your questions in Please Help. You should get a good response there. Also try posting questions regarding the SO/M school district in Education, since that is where you will find a number of informed posters whose children are actually in the school district at this time plus a group of dedicated Board of Education watchers who will tell you much more than you ever wanted to know about all facets of our school district. If you have school aged child(ren), include their age(s). Not only will you get age appropriate feedback on the schools question but you may also get a number of invitations for play dates for your children from parents of children in a similar age bracket. | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2006 |
Hi, I grew up in Maplewood graduating from Columbia in 1958. Lately, I have been thinking about moving back to Maplewood. While I lived in Maplewood, I never felt that I was at home in my hometown. So after attending Rutgers, I went to graduate school in Illinois and subsequently lived numerous places. I am a fine arts consultant and spent 30+ years directing art museums. Somehow, I finally feel that being back in Maplewood might be a good idea. Over the last few weeks, I have done a bit of research on the town. Without question the town has changed considerably -- it a good direction I might add. In the 40s and 50s, the town was conservative and white. With extensive travel, I learned the world was different. What is it like to live in Maplewood? I haven't been in Maplewood in 15 years. Carl Frederick | ||
| Madhu Citizen Username: Mpai Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2006 |
Thanks Joan. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but Phil's link doesn't seem to be working [says 'file not found' - in three languages, just to make the point]. I'll try to search it. M. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7098 Registered: 5-2001 |
Madhu: There should also be links on the MOL home page and on the Maplewood Library Home Page. Hopefully one or both of those work. Wish I could help you with more specific information but I haven't been a member of Newcomers for over 22 years. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7099 Registered: 5-2001 |
Carl: There have been a great many changes in Maplewood over the last 15 years. One of the most significant is the rapid expansion in the arts with many art, music, drama, film, and special program offerings. Maplewood has its own Art Gallery now -- in a storefront on Springfield Avenue; its own theater in an old church adjacent Maplewood Village; a performance cafe on Baker Street; an Underground Concert series; a weekend Jazz festival; an annual artist's studio tour; and the Maplewoodstock festival to name just a few. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4839 Registered: 9-2001  |
"What is it like to live in Maplewood?" Welcome to Maplewood On Line Carl, the new Maplewood. This is Art Christensen, also class of 58’... I’m still here and yes, things are different, and except for my on and off again beard, and the political tip of the scales to the left, things have gone in a good direction. Actually, given your admitted worldly experience, I’m sure you’ll love being home, I sure do! I’m listed, or you can e-mail me for more information. | ||
| monster Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 2391 Registered: 7-2002  |
WooHoo! | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2006 |
Art, Hi, from your address and other comments, I suspect that you are still living in that great house on Elmwood Avenue, one of the best in Maplewood. If I recall, you had bright red hair -- is it still red? I don't know if you remember me; you where one of the tough guys; I favored the nerds and hung out with guys from the Jefferson school area. In reading the blog on Maplewood politics and development, I see many of the arguments are the same after 50 years -- property values and neighborhoods. The truth is that our parents wanted the best for us kids and us kids want the best for our kids. I have always said, the more that changes the more things stay the same. Obviously, Maplewood has gotten more diverse which is good. I can not remember a single asian person and a handful of black kids. No hispanic individuals as well. Well that was the world in the 40s and 50s. No so today -- and thank goodness. So, I am generally inpressed with the changes that have taken place in Maplewood and it definitely is a town closer to a place I would enjoy living. I left Maplewood after finishing at Rutgers to just get away. Since then I have lived in different places including 15 years in southern California and another 15 years in the mid-west. While I don't miss the snow, I do like the "eastern" attitudes a bit more. As a art museum director and now a fine arts consultant, I get to New York City often and my partnership corporation is based in Connecticut. As a result, I have been thinking east coast more for the last few years. I know that the train can get you into NYC in about 30 minutes. That is nothing compared to getting around Los Angeles. It can take you 30 minutes just to go 15 blocks. I guess I have dwelled on how it has been to get away from Maplewood, but how has it been to have stayed there. In many ways, I envy your situation. I moved so often that I can't really recall what it is like to see a town gradually change. I do see big changes once I return to an area, but don't know the slow progress of an area. By seeing so many elementary schools closed, are there fewer kids in town? Are there more retired folks? Thanks for the welcome. Let me hear from you. You probably know me as Carl, but I now use my middle name instead -- Frederick. Frederick | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2006 |
Joan, Thank you for the additional update. Those items are all important to me. What is most important is a good book store. Does Maplewood have one; I can't recall a store from the past. The art gallery interests me, but my taste in art goes to quite contemporary and the stuff that bothers people. Glad to hear about the theatre which is my first love. Any talk ever of creating an art museum? There is an Art Center in Summit and of course the Newark Museum, which by the way, is one of the best museums in the US -- at least it was 15 years ago. Any chamber music groups in the area? Again, thank you for the welcome. Frederick | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7102 Registered: 5-2001 |
Frederick: The art gallery, which is run by the town, focuses on contemporary art, much of it produced by local artists. There is a book store on Baker Street, rather small but always willing to do special orders. Durand Hedden House is now a museum, emphasizing the town's history and open one Sunday afternoon a month for a special program. The murals in Town Hall remain on exhibit but they suffered some water damage recently and are now being restored, one mural at a time. Private funds are being raised for this project. There is also an artists network which might interest you. I'll let someone else respond to your question about chamber music groups since most of the local groups I am familiar to are into more modern music. | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2006 |
Joan, Modern is what interest me in terms of classical music. Thanks for the info; also liked the news about the art gallery. I assumed that it was a commerical gallery rather than an exhibition space. Do you know where there is a good serious book store -- I don't mean Borders or B&N; anything in South Orange, Milburn, etc. Again, thanks for the reply. Frederick | ||
| Jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 310 Registered: 1-2006 |
Frederick Schmid, There is a Chamber Music Society in Montclair. They often have concerts at the Montclair Art Museum. It may be a place to satisfy at least two of your interests in one location. Welcome back, J.B. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7105 Registered: 5-2001 |
When I want a serious book store, I generally go to Manhattan. There are several excellent book stores there. Most of the book stores here are more mass market: either small independent stores, like the one in Maplewood, or large chains like Barnes and Noble and Borders. A lot of people around here use Amazon and other on-line sources for books and seem to have good success going that route. The modern music I referred to is mostly of the electronic guitars, drums, key board sort. Try sending a private line to Jamie (Jamie Ross) who runs both MOL and the Underground Concert Series. He can fill you in on the local music scene. | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2006 |
Joan, Thank you. Since I will be going into NYC often, I can hit those stores, but I do like supporting local establishments. Will check the Underground Concert Series. | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2006 |
Jersey Boy, Thank you. Montclair Art is a good museum, small but good. The museum should become the New Jersey Museum of Art and supported accordingly. Will check out the chamber music series. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4842 Registered: 9-2001 |
Frederick, I remember it all like it was yesterday... Yes, I’m still living in that great old house on Elmwood, the red hair is ... well let’s just say its gotten a little lighter, and no more of that tough guy stuff, I’ve totally mellowed out...  Listen, our 50th is coming up in less than two years. Would you like to work on the committee? The last we heard from our class president Julia Roberts, she said she’s not interested in running the reunion this time. Dick Miller and I plan to get the ball rolling soon. Drop me an e-mail when you get a chance and we’ll talk about it. BTW, if I can be of any help to you back here, please let me know... Art | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2006 |
Art, It was just yesterday. As for the move, I have lots of planning to do. I have a large art publishing operation that is carefully balanced since it is a hard market to operate in. So, I am making decisions every day and still don't know the outcome. As for the reunion, I would be interested in working on the event and doing what I can. If there is something I can do from the west coast, my answer is yes to helping. Are you sure you have mellowed? I don't think so. Just giving you a hard time. How do I get my email address to you? Frederick | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4848 Registered: 9-2001 |
...try me first, at lessaisons@comcast.net | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 11 Registered: 3-2006 |
Art, I sent an email at the above address. Hope you got it. Frederick | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 4863 Registered: 9-2001 |
... sorry, no I didn't, try again. | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2006 |
Art, I will tomorrow. Thanks. Frederick | ||
| amandacat Citizen Username: Amandacat Post Number: 1046 Registered: 8-2001  |
It's nice to see Frederick & Art find each other! Frederick, just to answer one of your questions, Maplewood is still very much a family town; folks fleeing NYC's high prices and cramped apartments are flocking here in droves, usually with babies and toddlers in tow or following soon thereafter. The stroller gridlock in the village on any given sunny afternoon is unbelieveable! It's my understanding that there are many retirees who have left town because of the high taxes, but still I see a nice mix of folks of all ages here, which is yet another thing I love about this town. From all you've said I'd bet you'd be very pleased with how Maplewood is faring in the 21st century, do come back and visit! | ||
| Frederick Schmid Citizen Username: Carlfrederick Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2006 |
Amandacat Thank you. I agree. I am a cross between the two groups you mentioned. I am 66 years old and you would think that I should retire, except that I have a 4 and 6 year old (boys) (I also have a 44 year old.) So I am picky about where we live. I am glad that Maplewood has become diverse especially in comparison with things when I grew up. Both my wife and I prefer to have an east coast upbring for our children. We love Beverly Hills -- it will be 72 degrees today and we will miss the oranges in our backyard, but still we feel that the east coast has more to offer. Frederick | ||
| Pizzaz Supporter Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 3338 Registered: 11-2001  |
The change in seasons vs the majesty of the mountains.... I think you made the right choice. Welcome back to town. | ||
| John Quincy Adams Citizen Username: Randolph_agarn Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2006  |
Hello All I have been reading this Maplewood Online for a while and decided to jump into this. I thought I would post on this introduction thread even though this is not actually my first post. I can see already why people say they are addicted. | ||
| jersey Boy Citizen Username: Jersey_boy Post Number: 372 Registered: 1-2006 |
Welcome John Quincy Adams, I assume you'll be posting often in the politics section.  J.B. | ||
| John Quincy Adams Citizen Username: Randolph_agarn Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2006 |
I will be looking into it. Although to tell the truth, I don't think that I really like JQA as a president. I do admire the fact that by the age of 14 he was secretary to the minister to Russia. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7157 Registered: 5-2001 |
Welcome John. I look forward to reading your posts. | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 7158 Registered: 5-2001 |
Welcome John. I look forward to reading your posts. | ||
| Calliope Citizen Username: Calliope Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2006 |
Good morning! Just thought I would pop in and introduce myself--I've been lurking for a while and finally got up the courage to register and post. I'm Calli--an artist,an antiquer(not QUITE an antique myself),an animal lover, and a friend. I'm new to the community, although I grew up in Union County,and moved away for a long time. I'm back now, I think forever---but who knows how long that will be? Thanks for this great forum--- I look forward to reading and participating. Calli  | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 3251 Registered: 5-2005  |
Welcome Calli just love that smile. I hope you remain for quite some time a virtual hug! | ||
| Calliope Citizen Username: Calliope Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2006  |
Thanks for the virtual hug, Lucy!Here's one for you {{{}}} Mmmm... you smell so virtually good! Jasmine and what...bergamot? I hope we can share a lot of smiles in the future. (Care for a virtual cup of tea? It's Earl Grey.) |
