Home + Design

Love Where You Live

Finding the Right Fit Before You Buy in Bergen County Article and Photography by Maryanne Elsaesser Buying a home in Bergen County is about more than square footage, granite countertops or whether a kitchen was “recently updated.” It is, above all, about lifestyle. At today’s prices—and with the reality that many homes need work—buyers are not always purchasing a dream house. They are investing in a community, a school system and a way of life. The home is simply where it all comes together. ...

Wellness

Her Heart, Her Story

For women, heart disease is often silent. Four New Jersey survivors share why listening sooner can save a life Article and Photography by Hilary Russo When I first pitched the idea of writing a story about women’s heart health, I planned to feature one woman who had experienced a cardiac-related event. Once I made it public that I was looking for a survivor willing to share her story, the floodgates opened. Suddenly, sharing a single journey during American Heart Month no longer felt...

Local Services

Love, Actually—By Design

Michelle Frankel’s NYCity Matchmaking is redefining modern romance with a personal touch that apps can’t match. Article by Lauren Lovallo | Photography by Brielle Latona, Blaine Pennington Michelle Frankel didn’t plan to become a business owner—let alone a successful matchmaker. The Miami native started on a different path. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, she worked for the Japanese government, then took the LSAT and built a career as a corporate...

Local Services

Table to Table

Delivering Fresh Food, Hope and Humanity Across North Jersey Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Table to Table In northern New Jersey, where food insecurity touches every community and billions of pounds of edible food go to waste each year, Table to Table has built a mission rooted in compassion and efficiency. The nonprofit rescues fresh, perishable food and delivers it—free of charge—to neighbors who need it most. For Executive Director Heather Thompson, the work is both urgent...

Fitness

Hometown Game Day

Garden State City Lifestyle Brings Community Spirit to Rutgers–Penn State Season Finale Tailgate Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Tom Solymosi There’s nothing quite like Big Ten football—the roar of the crowd, the river of school colors, the crackle of energy that builds long before kickoff. On a freezing November afternoon, Garden State City Lifestyle turns the Rutgers vs. Penn State tailgate into one of the warmest, loudest and most memorable spots in the Scarlet Lot. Call it...

Food + Beverage

Sundays in Season

Ramsey Farmers Market Marks 16 Years of Community, Fresh Food and Local Giving Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Nancy Boone What began as a small community initiative has grown into one of northern New Jersey’s most celebrated year-round farmers markets. Now in its 16th season, the Ramsey Farmers Market continues to serve as a vibrant hub for local food, small businesses and neighborhood connection — even through the winter months. The award-winning, nonprofit market is powered by...

Life + Culture

The Resilience Revolution

Bergen County Educator Josephine Hunt Helps Families Build Strength, Confidence and Calm Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Josephine Hunt When longtime educator and parent coach Josephine Hunt talks about children, she doesn’t start with academics or achievements. She starts with humanity. “I genuinely just want to get the message out to help people,” Hunt says. “People don’t realize how much of this isn’t instinctive—it’s learned. If parents can walk away with even one tool that...

Food + Beverage

Friendship Bread, Reimagined

A Beloved Girl Scout Recipe to Share This Valentine’s Season Article by Carly Mac Manus There are some recipes that stay with you—handwritten on index cards, tucked inside family cookbooks, or passed between friends at school or troop meetings. For me, one of those treasured heirlooms is Friendship Bread , a sweet, comforting loaf I first made in Girl Scouts and somehow still have the original recipe for today. This month, as we celebrate love in all its forms—romantic, neighborly, and the...

Local Services

February Fun in Bergen County

Galentine’s outings, kid-friendly activities and cozy winter moments Article by Staff Report February in Bergen County proves winter can be social, creative and fun. From Galentine’s Day plans with friends to family activities that keep kids engaged and warm, the month offers plenty of local options worth exploring. Galentine’s Day: Celebrate Friendship Kick off Galentine’s with dinner and drinks at local favorites. Roots Steakhouse in Ridgewood serves classic steakhouse fare with a lively...

Wellness

Infrared Light

Mending From the Inside Out Article and Photography by Carly Mac Manus When Linda Lemery lost her mother to cancer, her search for alternative therapy set her on a new path. She explored acupuncture, reiki, essential oils, chiropractic care and functional medicine—experiences that deepened her passion for natural wellness. “I wanted to build a place that felt warm, friendly and welcoming,” Lemery says. “Somewhere people could come to restore, relax and reconnect with their health.” That...