Food + Beverage

Feed Your Soul

Sisters Michelene and Alicia Lambros Share a Healthy Lifestyle with Soul Bowls Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Craig Smith On any given day you can walk in to Soul Bowls on Mountain Avenue in Scotch Plains and feel instantly uplifted by the vibrant walls, and equally colorful bowls, smoothies and juices that are lovingly prepared for your body (and soul). The place is a reflection of local sisters and owners, Michelene and Alicia Lambros, both bright and spirited souls in their own...

Education

The Building Blocks of St. Joseph's High School

St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen promotes well-rounded men inside and outside of the classroom Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Provided St. Joseph High School in Metuchen prides itself on the caliber of young men it graduates into the world. They provide strong building blocks in academics, leadership, character formation, service and brotherhood to be a man of the future, ready to make a difference in the world.  Perhaps most importantly, they give young men empowerment...

Style + Beauty

Hand Painted Love Stories

ZB Couture delivers custom luxury wedding & formal wear Photography by Provided by Zahra Batool Scotch Plains resident Zahra Batool is living out her girlhood dream of becoming an artist. As a Master Designer, and Founder / CEO of ZB Couture, she creates hand painted wedding dresses and made-to-order gowns for bridals and formal occasions. Each gown offers timeless and classic beauty through Zahra’s intricately hand-painted motifs on luxury fabrics of the highest quality. Every ZB Couture...

Local Services

Seniors Live in Style

Brandywine Mountain Ridge provides seniors with surroundings and activities that suit their individual needs and style Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Provided If you are considering long term care for yourself or your loved one, visit Brandywine Mountain Ridge by Monarch in Watchung for a glimpse of what is possible. The grounds are immaculate, and the interior shared spaces feel like a high-end hotel. There is a refreshment station as soon as you enter, offering fruit infused water...

Home + Design

INTERIOR DESIGN: TRENDY VS. TIMELESS

Making today’s hottest items part of your forever home Article and Photography by Ethan Allen’s Watchung Design Team We’ve all fallen head over heels for something trendy, spent big to bring it home, and discovered it wasn’t so great after all. With furniture or home décor, those missteps can take a big bite out of your wallet. That’s why working with an interior designer can be a huge advantage, explains Lisa Matrale, a design consultant at Ethan Allen in Watchung. “A good designer steers...

Food + Beverage

Summer Boost for Kids

These super simple 3 ingredient popsicles are bursting with berry and chia goodness! Article by Kim and Tina Tiny Sprouts Organic Superseed Boosters are not your regular bag of seeds. Each unique blend is fortified with vegan vitamin D & probiotics, which are essential to the health & well-being of children.  These Berry Chia Popsicles are refreshing, healthy, and delicious - the perfect summertime treat for your little one. Age: 6M+ Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 60 minutes Total Time: 1...

Life + Culture

A Pool of Memories

A grateful community reflects on 73 years of summer fun at Highland Swim Club Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Neal Fitzsimmons and HSC PAGE 1 Almost 75 years ago Jane Britten of Westfield NJ told her husband Stan they needed a pool. Not one that would eat up precious space in their own backyard, heavens no. But one that could be built as a private club for friends and local families to share. Jane was determined, and after convincing Stan, the twosome recruited five other couples to...

Local Services

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Craig Smith Before business owner Mike Kelly became affectionately known as "Mike the Dog Guy," his life was marked by deep connections with some unforgettable four-legged companions. First there was Sally, then Buttons, Dreyfus, Oliver, Gordo, and Tuffy—all different breeds and sizes, but equally adored. Tuffy holds a special place in Mike’s heart after he discovered the poor pup living under a crate in the Bronx.  And while Mike may have done the...

Education

Scotch Plains Fanwood Celebrates 2025 Student Standouts

The future is bright as we recognize the achievements of our community's youth Article by Marin Pecarsky | Photography by Provided 1. Janae Barnes – Union County Vocational-Technical School Janae Barnes, a graduating senior at the Academy for Allied Health Sciences (UCVTS), has received the Marie Leppert Scholarship, honoring students who, like Marie, are deeply committed to community service. Janae is president and co-founder of the Black Student Union at UCVTS, a cadet EMT with the South...

Education

The Music Man

Band teacher Joseph Reo retires after forty years of bringing music into the homes and hearts of our community Article by Therese Azad and Grace Arnold | Photography by Craig Smith, Charlie Jackson Joseph Reo enters the Terrill Middle School auditorium on June 11th as he usually does for the Coles Elementary year-end band concert. He is dressed in all black, a departure from the tropical floral patterns he typically dons. He is followed by one hundred plus excited 4th graders, eager to show...