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...

Home Services

Crafting Strong Foundations and Beautiful Spaces

George’s & Sons General Construction Marks 20 Years of Trusted Masonry, Paving and Home Improvement in West Orange Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Joshlyn Holloway For two decades, George’s & Sons General Construction Inc. has built its reputation the same way it builds driveways, patios and retaining walls—layer by layer, with precision, pride and a commitment to lasting quality. Founded in 2005 by brothers George and Jose—whose father owned a block factory in their home...

Home + Design

Shop, Sip and Savor Local

Celebrating Montclair’s arts, eats and independent spirit Article by Nicholas Xavier Hall | Photography by Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts, Sankofa Cafe, Watchung Booksellers, Montclair Bread Co. Sukhumvit Thai With the convenience of online shopping and more than 30 malls across New Jersey, it has never been easier to buy almost anything without leaving home. Still, what truly defines a town is not how quickly packages arrive, but the small businesses that shape its...

Food + Beverage

Brewed With Love

Coluna Coffee & Cookies Brews Community, One Roast and Cookie at a Time Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Rich Silivanch For Michelle Padover and her husband, Chris Taharally, great coffee and better-for-you sweets aren’t just products—they’re a love language. Coluna Coffee & Cookies began as a kitchen-table experiment and has grown into a pop-up fixture where whole-bean roasts meet gluten-free, nutrient-dense bakes that disappear by the dozen. Padover’s path started with...

Local Services

To the Rescue...

With lots of Love! Article by Barry Farber | Photography by Barry Farber, Tamerlaine Sanctuary and Preserve Over the years, I’ve visited the Tamerlaine Sanctuary and Preserve in Montague, New Jersey, a haven dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and caring for abused, neglected and discarded farmed animals. Each tour left a lasting impression on my family. That’s why I decided to sit down with Peter Nussbaum, co-founder of the sanctuary, to help more people discover this remarkable place and...

Life + Culture

Finding Magic in a Pair of Hoops

Local Author Jen Hayes Lee Debuts a Picture Book That Celebrates Culture and Confidence Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Jen Hayes Lee & Manley Photography When South Orange based author Jen Hayes Lee began reading stories to her three sons, she never imagined that a childhood tradition would spark her first picture book. But the moment she shared the memory of receiving the hoop earrings she wore growing up, she realized it was a symbol of something bigger—heritage, pride and the...

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

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...

Wellness

Spend A Day With Us at SoJo Spa Club

The Ultimate Wellness Playground Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by SoJo Spa Club If paradise had a zip code, it might just be 660 River Road in Edgewater, New Jersey. That’s where SoJo Spa Club rises above the Hudson River—a 140,000-square-foot wellness wonderland with skyline views so stunning you’ll forget you’re still in the Garden State. I finally visited SoJo after hearing friends rave about it for years, and this time I brought my mom along for a much-needed day of relaxation...