b'nology is a now a central part of their evolving business platform. Shops such as Perch Home have shifted to online sales and local delivery only. The Able Bakerhasstartedofferingitsgoods plussomegroceriesonlineforlocal delivery. And South Orange piano in-structor Tricia Tunstall is successfully teaching lessons using FaceTime. Charades, anyone? Cited by Tech Re- Keepinggroupsconnectedtakes public as one of the best Zoom games tosomecreativity.Membersofthe play during the pandemic, it shows thatMaplewoodLittleClubhavehosted Zoom is not just for business.virtual Trivia Nights, and Boy Scout Troop 5 has brought its 60-member-Falcon, or occasionally Jabbas palace.strongweeklymeetingsonlineeach Finding a quiet place in the houseweek. This keeps the Scouts engaged for working and conference calls can beand moving forward with their skills. challenging. The Maplewood roomsFinally,residentsarecommuni-theformerporchesrepurposedascating virtually to keep in touch with part of the larger houseare the perfectfamily members. Bimal Peiris of Maple-placesforconferencecallsifanotherwood uses WhatsApp in the morning family member doesnt get there first.and evening to see how his 90-year-old But sometimes having access to thefather in Sri Lanka is being affected by Maplewood room isnt good enough.his governments response to the pan-The mailman comes almost every daydemic.Peirissays,Ivealwaysbeen duringourafternoonteamhuddle,good about checking in with my father, explainsaSouthOrangeprofessor.but do it more than ever because now The dog goes nuts barking right inthey have lock downs and online food the middle of our call. Ive tried us- shopping has been more challenging. ing Krisp [a noise canceling program],By the time we can all go out again, but even that doesnt always work, shemany of us will find ourselves continu-says. Sometimes you just have to takeing to use the new technology we ac-a deep breath, recognize we are in aquired when we started social distanc-strange moment in history and let theing.Untilthen,stayinnovativeand dog bark through it. healthy, SOMA. SmallbusinessesintheareaareAdrianna Donat is a writer who lives adapting as best as they can, and tech- and now stays in her Maplewood home.The Maplewood Village Allliance would like to thank you, our beloved community, for your continued support of our merchants during these trying times.From the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate you.Even the Matters Magazine staff has had to hold virtual staff meetings via FaceTime. An egg carton serves as a handy way to prop up an iPad.feature story /27'