6 / matters magazine / fall 2026
contents
Vol. 37 Issue 6  Fall 2026
Kimaya Kama and Kokoro, two 
separate businesses, now share a 
renovated storefront in Kokoro's 
original space on Maplewood 
Avenue. Read Amy Lynn-Cramer's 
story on page 12. Photo by Julia 
Maloof Verderosa.
The Magazine of Maplewood and South Orange
Matters
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Heart of the Matter	 8
a decade celebrating women-led businesses
	
New Businesses	 10
say hello 
	
Events that Matter	 10
around the towns 
	
Language Matters	 19
a little bit about bitten 
	
Finding Home	 35
from nicest dad to trusted realtor 
	
Food Matters	 36
the food and people of afghanistan
	
Book Matters	 40
reading with anu
	
Resource Guide	 48
local sources
	
Final Matters	 50
pretending it's easy
in this issue
12	 Two Stores, One Door
kokoro and kimaya kama found a way forward
16	 From Broadway to CHS and Back 	
	
Again
bethany pettigrew’s latest chapter
20	 Four Quarters, One Tiny Masterpiece
two mini-print vending machines in maplewood
22	 The Roots of My Success
local business women tell us what has shaped their 
careers
30	 Get the Tips in a New Networking 	
	
Group
welcome letip of soma
32	 Preserving New Jersey’s Film 
	
Legacy and the Maplewood Theater
angela matusik also starts a new film magazine 
38	 A Magical Hour of Writing
local writers find motivation at weekly meeting 
42	 Retired Librarians Check Out with a 	
	
Century’s Worth of Impact
maplewood memorial library's facelift
45	 Open House Guide
open house schedules for local preschools, private 
schools and enrichment providers
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