b'Events That Matter Summer er, she says: a town where its easy to find others deeply interested in social South Mountain Conservancy justice.And,sheadds,Itssowalk-able,thereareactualmom&pop June 24 12PM Fairy Tales on the Fairy Trail, Storytellershops here, and the power of film is so Rachael Harrington engages children of all ages withstrong in this community.her uniquely creative storytelling both on and off theMertes says she knew she was home trail whenthemovingvanspulledaway DETAILS Locust Grove, South Mountain Reservation; morefrom their new house on Kendal Av-information available at somocon.org enue and the doorbell rang. Standing at our door were five kids Star Spangled South Orange fromtheneighborhood.Theyintro-July 16PMThe Meadowland Park Conservancyduced themselves and asked our kids to come out to play. Their welcome and South Orange Village bring an American array ofwas genuine and disarming. entertainment and activities including the Town HallMertes felt at home in Maplewood as soon as she moved here. Inanimportantway,thepeople Deli Sloppy Joe Eating Contest, the South OrangeofMaplewoodhadseenherandher Symphony Orchestra performing Americana favorites,Mertes relocated to the New York Cityfamily. showing of the film 1776, kids games and more area to work at with the Ford Foun- No longer invisible or overlooked, DETAILSFloods Hill, South Orange, meadowlandpark.org dation, she and her husband, son andshes belonged here ever since. daughter were drawn to Maplewood.AdriannaDonatisafreelancewriter Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Maplewood is a town like no oth- who lives and writes in Maplewood.Festival 2023July 8 and 912PM Free community event in Memorial Parks natural amphitheater, steps away from the Maplewood train station, and featuring approximately 25 food vendors, 120 art vendors, 20 Kidzone vendors and a beer and wine gardenDETAILS Memorial Park Maplewood, maplewoodstock@gmail.com; maplewoodstock.comBrick City Kitties Rescue Inc.Every Sunday1PM Brick City Kitties Adoption Days, Kitties adoption events every Sunday except Holidays. Visit website for more information and to get pre-approved to adopt DETAILS Millburn Pet Smart, 187 Millburn Ave, Millburn, brickcitykittiesrescue.org32/ matters magazine / summer 2023'