S3 Shea Stadium to SOMA Schools
MAPSO Podso
In the final episode of season 3, I talk with long time SOMSD music teacher Vern Miller. Before Vern arrived in our school district, he played bass in the 1960s garage band The Remains, who have achieved cult status in the rock world. In fact, they opened for The Beatles throughout their final U.S. tour. So we have a lot to talk about! Website: http://vernmiller.info
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S3 Kevin O'Connor Returns
MAPSO Podso
Friend of the show, Kevin O'Connor, is back for more! The "This Old House" host and Maplewood native returns to talk about the show's enduring legacy, the advancement of modern construction materials and preserving local landmarks. Plus, more of your listener questions! Thanks to Vinnie from The Roman Gourmet for introducing this episode. Instagram: @kevinoconnortoh Instagram: @THisOldHouse Instagram: @theromanmaplewood Instagram: @mapsopodso
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S3 MAPSO to Major League Soccer
MAPSO Podso
Mason Toye is a South Orange native, who grew up playing Cougar Soccer, before becoming a star player at Seton Hall Prep. He's now a veteran of Major League Soccer, currently playing for Sporting Kansas City. He joins me to talk about growing up in town, his MLS career and the battle over turf vs. grass. Photo: Courtesy of Sporting Kansas City Instagram: MapsoPodso
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S3 Presidential Transitions and MAPSO Trivia
MAPSO Podso
Maplewood resident Heath Brown is an expert on Presidential transitions. He joins me at the dining room table to talk about his latest book, Roadblocked - an inside look at the transition from the first Trump White House to the Biden Presidency. Plus, he challenges my MAPSO/SOMA knowledge! Bluesky: @heathbrown.bsky.social
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S3 The Blades of Grass
MAPSO Podso
Way before Sza and The Fugees, The Blades of Grass tore up Columbia High School! Their only album, The Blades of Grass Are Not For Smoking, was released in 1967 while they were still students - and resulted in a top 100 hit! Singer/songwriter/guitar player Marc Black joins me to talk about the band's beginnings here in town, getting suspended from school and his enduring solo career. Marc Black Website: Instagram: @mapsopodso
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S3 Gold Medal Maplewoodian
MAPSO Podso
Maplewood resident Jackie Dubrovich won gold as part of the USA Fencing Team at last summer's Paris Olympics. She joins me at the dining room table to talk about the sport, making history at the games and her love of town. Polaris Fencing Center: www.polarisfencing.com Instagram: @jackiedubrovich Instagram: @mapsopodso
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S3 Teed Off In Town
MAPSO Podso
Golfers, would you be surprised to learn that the modern tee was invented right here in town? It's true! Dr. William Lowell was a member of the Maplewood Country Club, where he tested his new creation. I get the full story from Elizabeth Beeck of the USGA Golf Museum!
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S3 A Mayor Among Us
MAPSO Podso
Marc Morial served two terms as the youngest mayor of New Orleans before becoming president and CEO of National Urban League, a historic civil rights organization. The South Orange resident joins me at the dining room table to talk about growing up in NOLA, following in his father's footsteps, his MAPSO experience and much more. Instagram: @marcmorial Instagram: @mapsopodso
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S3 Martinez on the Mound
MAPSO Podso
South Orange native Joe Martinez spent four seasons pitching in the majors and now serves as MLB's Senior Director of On-Field Operations. He joins me to talk about his time on the mound, the league's latest rule changes and his days in South Orange/Maplewood town baseball. Instagram: @mapsopodso
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S3 The Voice of Maplewood
MAPSO Podso
Naomi Soleil was the talk of the town when she competed on the latest season of NBC's The Voice. She joins me in the first episode of season three to talk about her Columbia High School experience, being picked for Team Buble' and her future in music. Instagram: @naiomisoleil_ Instagram: MapsoPodso More info at
info_outlineYou might know that tennis great Althea Gibson broke the color barrier at the U.S. National Championships in 1950. You probably don't know that the path to that moment ran directly through MAPSO.
I talk about her legacy and explore the history of racism in our community with Althea's second cousin and South Orange resident Don Felder as well as former Maplewood mayor Fred Profeta, co-founder of the Community Coalition on Race. As a child, Fred's family were members of the then segregated Maplewood Country Club.