I am thrilled to join Patch as the new Local Editor of Maplewood. I have been a freelance writer and guest editor for this and other local Patch sites for the last two years. I also was an editor at Baristanet and before that, I contributed to The New York Times Local. I have been a writer – in print and online – for over 20 years. 

In 1996, my husband and I bought our first house on Elmwood Avenue, where we lived for 12 years before hopping over the border to South Orange in 2008.  This community is my home. It is where I live, work, eat, shop, volunteer and socialize. It is where my friends are, and where my children go to school. 

I follow in the footsteps of my remarkable predecessor, Mary Mann, who now helps run Patch sites in Union County. Mary is a stellar journalist and a terrific mentor, and she fashioned this site into a trusted resource for the Maplewood community.  I hope to continue to make Patch your go-to place for everything local. 

This is your site. You are the contributors, the tipsters, and the drivers of the conversations. We want Maplewood Patch to be a reflection of everyone who lives in, works in – or just simply loves – Maplewood. I look forward to your blogs in Local Voices, events and announcements, tips, comments, photos and videos.  I want to hear from you: residents, business owners, volunteers, parents, teachers, coaches and community leaders. Please email me at Carolyn.maynardparisi@patch.com.  

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I hope to see you around town.