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Montclair Couple Debuts Album, Bringing Shaker Music to New Audiences
Chances are, you know the timeless Shaker song “Simple Gifts.” This lovely piece, written in 1848, has been featured at three presidential inaugurations. Now, Rev. John and Allison Rogers, a couple from Montclair, are on a mission to shine a spotlight on more Shaker songs. They are releasing “A Little Love More,” a collection of eleven Shaker songs with fresh arrangements that speak to our times.
Obituary: Barbara Leitzow Farlie
Barbara Leitzow Farlie, a longtime township resident and an author and artist who was active in community affairs, died on June 10, 2024. She was 87. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Herman and Blanche Leitzow, Mrs. Farlie graduated from Montclair High School and Smith College. Early in her career,...
Fate of Montclair’s Fire Station 3 Uncertain
Well-tended pots of geraniums brighten the exterior of Montclair’s historic Fire House 3. They are the only signs of life at a building “temporarily closed” for more than a year. Now, questions are being raised about its future. Montclair’s Interim Town Manager Michael Lapolla believes there should...
Bear Killed Near South Mountain Reservation After Trapping Woman, Child
The Essex County Sheriff’s Department killed a bear near South Mountain Reservation earlier today. According to authorities, a woman contacted the Essex County Sheriff’s Office for help at approximately 11:22 a.m. on June 10. She and her young daughter were trapped by a bear near Locust Grove and couldn’t exit the area.
Montclair Police Join Torch Run For Special Olympics
On Friday, June 7, Chief Todd Conforti and members of the Montclair Police Department participated in the 41st annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. The run is the biggest fundraiser event the Special Olympics has each year. Participants ran the 6.5-mile route, beginning at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange...
Students and Parents Rally for Teacher Facing Non-Renewal
Update (June 10, 4:15 p.m.): The district sent the following response to Montclair Local’s inquiry on the topic: “Please note that the District cannot comment on personnel matters.”. Students and parents rallied last Wednesday at the Montclair Board of Education meeting in support of third-grade teacher Lauren Kline....
Local Juneteenth Celebrations Honoring Freedom Day
Juneteenth marks the celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver the long-awaited news of freedom to the enslaved people. This announcement came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Montclair Celebrates Pride With Spectacular All-Day Festival
This past weekend, on June 8, Montclair celebrated Pride Month with an all-day celebration filled with music, dance, and community! Organized by Out Montclair, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, the annual event drew over 30,000 attendees from Montclair and the surrounding area. Families and friends enjoyed...
Renaissance Students Journey through Time with New Mural Project
Students at Renaissance at Rand Middle School are spending their final days at school in a rainbow of hues. The middle schoolers are flexing their artistic abilities as they create a mural for their school. Renaissance at Rand’s Parent Teacher Association wanted to sponsor a project that would be beneficial...
Then and Now: ‘Apple Grove’ Mansion to Martin’s Home For Service
We take a look at the history of the building at 48-50 Elm Street, now the Martin’s Home for Service, in this edition of “Then and Now.”. Julius Pratt moved to Montclair in 1857 and established himself as a prominent, influential member of the community. He built his home, which he called “Apple Grove,” at 48-50 Elm Street. When train service began in Montclair in 1857 (then West Bloomfield), Pratt invested $4,000,000 to create the township’s first train line. Pratt also felt that the name “West Bloomfield” was not beautiful enough to attract desirable newcomers, so he rallied for the new, more picturesque name, “Montclair.”
Montclair Kimberley Girls Lacrosse Doubles Their Pleasure with Non-Public B Title
The Montclair Kimberley girls lacrosse team had an assignment to finish off another season with a state title and in their way was the same team as of last season in the Non-Public B championship. Well, mission accomplished for the 2024 Cougars. MKA made it back-to-back Non-Public B championships on...
Baristanet Profile: Francesca Hahn-Galioto
I live in Clifton, but I feel like I spend more time in Montclair Center where I run my skin care business, Ripping Strips Popping Zits. In 2015, I moved to Clifton. In 2022 I opened my business in Montclair. Where did you grow up?. Born and raised in Bloomfield.
Residents Want Artificial Turf Field Gone, Demand Answers at BOE Meeting
“Send it back. Send it back,” residents chanted at Wednesday’s Montclair Board of Education meeting. The “it” they referred to is the artificial turf field currently in temporary storage at Woodman Field. The turf is slated for eventual installation as part of the Woodman Field project.
Montclair Stationery Pens a Final Goodbye
Montclair Stationery, located at 612 Valley Road, has been the place to go for cards, toys, school supplies, and so much more. Now, after decades of serving the community, the store is closing its doors. Sharai Mutasah, owner of Montclair Stationery, is ready to take a break. When the landlord...
Obituary: Charles Volpe
Charles Volpe of Little Falls, a former longtime resident of Montclair and a fashion industry executive, died on June 1, 2024. He was 84. Mr. Volpe was born in Orange and spent his early youth in Midland, Texas. He graduated from West Orange High School and attended Rutgers University. He was a Montclair resident for more than 45 years before recently moving to Little Falls.
Weekend Family Fun: Pride, Art, Butterflies and More
Happy Friday! It’s the perfect time for weekend family fun, and we’ve gathered up some of the best events happening in the area. Check ’em out!. Friday from 5:30–8 p.m. Cost: Free. The Montclair Public School District and the Montclair NAACP present Celebrating Reading & Culture...
Montclair Civil Rights Commission: Come Be Part of Change
The Montclair Civil Rights Commission was formed in 1992 by ordinance of the Township Council, with the mission of identifying and investigating civil rights violations and unlawful discrimination in our township, with a focus on reducing such behavior. The Commission is a vital part of efforts to strengthen and build on Montclair’s exceptional reputation of being a community that actively promotes diversity and inclusiveness. We have evolved and progressed. For 2024, we have a new Chair, several new members, and are actively recruiting other residents to join us.
Critics Slam Gov. Murphy for Signing Public Records Bill
Elected officials from both sides of the aisle and progressive activists fumed Wednesday after Gov. Phil Murphy announced he signed the controversial bill overhauling the state’s Open Public Records Act into law. Media organizations, good government groups, and transparency advocates have spent weeks urging Murphy to veto the bill,...
MontClairVoyant: Ballad of the Ballot and Budget
Montclair residents voted on Tuesday, June 4, for various national and county candidates after casting ballots for mayor and Township Council on May 14. Is that a lot of voting just three weeks apart?. Sincerely,. Return, Turn, Turn. So much so that I’ll be declaring my school-gym polling place a...
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